Development Trust’s longest serving Trustee steps down

Date: Monday 28 July

Image courtesy of Clare McMicking / CraicN Communications

Community stalwart Len Seal has stepped down after nine years on the Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) board.

Len was the longest serving Trustee on the Board and has overseen some significant changes in his near decade-long tenure, including the development of The HEAT Project, a BRDT initiative that came from an idea first suggested a local Climate Café meeting.

He, along with his wife Kay, was behind the establishment of the Climate Café Blairgowrie and Rattray – the second such group in the world – and the couple also helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity by organising the Relay for Life events in the east Perthshire town.

His efforts on behalf of the community have been acknowledged in a letter from the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney MSP.

Mr Swinney wrote: “Len is to be congratulated on all that he has done to support Blairgowrie and Rattray, the Climate Café initiative and indeed the climate itself both in the town and the surrounding area and across Perth and Kinross, as well as his years of dedication working in social services where his support and guidance was well received.

“I am particularly pleased to observe how the Home Energy Advice Team, or HEAT as it is affectionately known, has flourished under Len’s support and guidance to become a nationally recognised, professional advice team.

“Not only does it provide energy advice, but the team has also attracted industry and local council recognition and is involved in projects that are leading the way with energy saving and consumer empowerment. Len’s time in the role of mentor and guide has undoubtedly helped this team become the force that it is today.

“This initiative also helped Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust arrive at the place that it is today, acting as the voice for Blairgowrie and Rattray and leading the way with the Community Action Plan and more recently, the Local Place Plan.

“Len should have a real sense of pride in what he has achieved and I would like to add my thanks to him for what he has given to his community, the local area and the people of Scotland.”

Len’s commitment to helping others was also recognised by colleagues at a small get together in Blairgowrie recently.

Chair of BRDT, Linda Tait, said: “Len has been a key member of BRDT and a force of strength for the HEAT Project, which is going from strength to strength and has helped more than 3000 households in the Perth and Kinross region to reduce their energy bills.

“Len has devoted most of his life to helping others, having worked in social care, the criminal justice system and child protection, and is a strong advocate on behalf of the climate and addressing the climate emergency.

“Throughout his time with BRDT, his calm, supportive manner has had a positive impact on the organisation and it has been an absolute pleasure working with him.

“He will be missed by us all, but we are hugely grateful for everything he has achieved to make Blairgowrie and Rattray a better place to live.”

Len was also instrumental in setting up the Strathmore Cycle Network, which aims to link the towns of Blairgowrie, Alyth and Coupar Angus with cycle and walking friendly routes.

John Palfreyman from the Strathmore Cycle Network commented: “Len was hugely supportive of the suggestion to link the three towns with safe cycling routes and it is due to his enthusiasm - and his diplomatic skills – that a route between Blairgowrie and Alyth was built.

“This route is maintained through Len's determination, coupled with the support of a couple of friends. Plans for the Coupar Angus to Blairgowrie route have been completed and a survey by Len showed huge support for the cycle track - hopefully the next generation of cyclists will raise the funds to build it.

“Throughout the years I have known Len his commitment to climate issues has been total. It is hard to imagine the number of people in Blairgowrie and Rattray whose understanding of climate issues he, and his wife Kay, must have influenced over the years. Len's legacy to the town will be immense.”

Jamie-Louise Morrison has taken on the coordinator role at the Climate Café Blairgowrie and Rattray.

She said: “Len, together with Kay, has been an inspiration to what can be achieved with sufficient aspiration, proactivity and determination. Without their example, we wouldn't have known it was possible to contribute to society in the way that they have done.”

Len’s work with the Tayside Woodlands Partnership was also recognised earlier this year when a base for the group was named after him.

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk