Lowther Hills Ski Club

AGM - Sunday 13th November 2022

Dear All,

We wanted to write and let you know where things are at with the club.

As you will be aware from previous communications it is the current directors’ intention to step down at the next AGM.

With no new directors stepping forward we have been in extensive discussions with both the Hopetoun Estate and members of the local community, in Wanlockhead, who have shown an interest in taking over the club house and part of the land associated with the lease. Whilst these discussions are ongoing and have not reached a definitive conclusion it has been made clear to us that there would be no intention of running skiing activities on the hill this winter, were that takeover to be successful. The proposed take over of the club would principally see it repurposed for fell running and hill walking, and it may not be run as a membership organisation.

We are therefore proposing to mothball the ski club for the season 22-23, whilst we draw discussions to a conclusion.

If we cannot negotiate the club house being taken over by members of the local community on a membership basis then we will be looking to wind up the ski club and the associated Community Interest Company.

Whilst we appreciate that this may be disappointing for many of you the current directors have other commitments and cannot continue to devote the time required to running the club.

It should also be noted that the club equipment is failing on several fronts. This includes the portable tows, the groomer, the quad bike and the main engine on Lowther Hill. These have all been extensively serviced over the course of the last 12 months and have been up and running at times but with no guarantee that they will function consistently for another season. The groomer eg. is already failing to start despite being removed to Abington for a full service, new tyres etc.

A fair bit of club money has been ploughed into the servicing and we are a point where we cannot reasonably continue with this.

Not least because in the event that we do wind up the ski club the lease and planning permission requires us to restore the land to it's former state. This would include removal of the engine shed, main tow, snow fencing etc.

There is no doubt that both the equipment and the club house have suffered badly due to lack of use over the last two seasons and the impact of successive lockdowns. We are where we are however and it would still be our intention to hold an AGM this year, at 18:30 on the 13th of November, at the Hopetoun Arms.

The lease is currently paid until May 2023 and in the event that discussions with the estate and local community are ongoing and with the possibility of having to restore the land if we do wind up the CIC, the current directors will continue but solely with the intention of bringing the above matters to a conclusion and not to run any skiing activities on the hill or golf course this season.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at the AGM (we will try to set up a Zoom link so that we can have virtual participants as well) and remain open to every and any ideas from members about how the club may continue in one form or another!

Martin, Carolyn & Jamie.

Directors

Lowther Hills Ski Club CIC.