From Strength to Strength: Trust Marks Another Successful Year at AGM

Mourne Heritage Trust marked another year of outstanding progress and achievements at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Tollymore Mountain Centre on Thursday 28th November 2024. The event brought together stakeholders, partners, and supporters to reflect on the organisation’s continued efforts to preserve and enhance the unique natural, cultural, and built heritage of the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Attendees were welcomed by David Maginn, Chair of the Trust while the accounts overview was provided by Scott McCullough from UHY Hacker Young Fitch Limited. Martin Carey, CEO, provided an insight into the year’s operations, expressing gratitude to the funders for their ongoing support.

The second half of the AGM featured a series of insightful presentations that captivated the audience:

• Engaging People: The Trust’s Rangers (Carole and Peter) provided an engaging account of their work, showcasing efforts to connect with local communities and their recent work in raising awareness of marine priority species in Strangford Lough and Lecale. It was inspiring to hear two young participants from the Mourne Ambassador Programme share their experiences. They spoke passionately about how much they enjoyed the programme and how it has deepened their understanding of the impact of their actions on the environment.
• Grazing for Conservation: A collaborative initiative between Mourne Heritage Trust, Mourne Conservation Graziers, and NI Water highlighted the critical role of sustainable grazing practices in maintaining the health of the area’s ecosystems.
• Forever Mournes Partnership: Bernadine Maguire-Matthews, National Trust Project Manager, outlined this ambitious project’s vision to secure the long-term future of the Mourne landscape, fostering collaboration and innovative approaches to conservation.
• Landscapes NI: The Network Coordinator, Mike McClure, presented on the broader landscape partnership, emphasizing how collective action across Northern Ireland enhances the preservation of the area’s natural beauty.

Commenting on the year’s accomplishments, Martin Carey, CEO said, “This has been another remarkable year for the Trust. We are proud of our collaborative efforts to conserve the unique heritage of the Mournes while engaging with our community and stakeholders. The presentations at the AGM were a testament to the breadth and depth of our work and partnerships.”

The event was brought to a close by Chairperson, David Maginn, who commented that he thought it was one of the Trust’s most impressive AGMs to date.

The evening’s presentations can be downloaded below.