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John Hume became the first Chairman and Hugh Mackay the first secretary of the fledgling Seagull Trust.
Norman Simpson MBE
Norman Simpson, the Trust's first Treasurer recollects:
Norman Simpson, the Trust's first Treasurer recollects:
"My first memory of the Seagull Trust commenced in mid February 1978, when I received a phone call from retired minister Hugh Mackay. Through chartered accountant Robin Brown, a partner in Deloittes, Haskins and Sells, he had discovered that I had retired the previous year from my post as bank manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland and enquired whether I would be interested in becoming honorary treasurer for a charity which he was establishing to ensure physically and mentally handicapped people could enjoy without charge the joy of cruising on the quiet and peaceful waters of Scotland's canals." (NS)
"As soon as I showed interest Mr. Mackay quickly invited me to join Robin Brown and himself for lunch at the Overseas Club in Edinburgh and by the time it was over I had agreed to become Honorary Treasurer. It's a decision which I've never regretted as it allowed me to combine three interests, firstly helping the disabled of which I already had six years of experience as treasurer of the Edinburgh Disabled Income Group, secondly sailing which I'd quite a lot of in my early years at Fisherrow and finally my life long enjoyment of according financial transactions."
On 16th May 1978 at the meeting of the group in the Glasgow City Chambers I was introduced to Mr John Hume, Major Simon Campbell, Sir W Ferguson Anderson, Professor Archie Doone, Mr Peter McCann, Rev Smart, the Countess of Marr and Kellie and Miss M Bain.
From that date and until the end of 1983 we held our meetings every three months (with extra meetings when important matters cropped up) at various places, namely the Glasgow City Chambers, Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory, Lamb’s House in Leith, the Bridge Inn, in the office of the Order of ST John, also the Scottish Sports Council in St Colme Street in Edinburgh and once in Saughton Prison!! Charles Hills, a Trustee being a Governor there and he assured us that we would be released after the meeting!
During the period up to mid-1983 there was plenty to do but not so much for the Treasurer. Plans for the future of the Seagulls were made, such as drawing up the constitution, the Trust Deed making arrangements for registration of the Trust as a charity. Boat design also came into it and a design for our emblem or logo. There was a lot of coming and going between us and our good friends the Order of St John, Mr Mackay, and Mr Peter McCann were kept in the loop! As were Mr Stanley Ross- Smith an architect drawing up plans for the leasing of land at Calder Crescent on the west side of Edinburgh.
As for myself, the financial side was not at all onerous, as we were in a position to own any funds and we only had the one at the Branch at Ratho, so ably run by Ronnie Rusack. I had to open a bank accounts to be ready when the funds came to hand, and they did with a donation of £100 from the Royal Bank which was quite a lot of money in these days! The rest of the time was taken up purchasing goods for resale to help with the publicity such as the ‘Happiness Afloat’ leaflet in which was inserted a Deed of Covenant form, a Bankers Form and a Donation slip.
(NS)
Norman Simpson was to remain Honorary Treasurer for many years. And in 1999 he was awarded the MBE. He describes this himself as being for “work he much enjoyed doing in the midst of friendly, humorous, hard-working, unpaid volunteers, dedicated to helping people less fortunate than themselves. “
Third man aboard the original team was Major Simon Campbell, the manager of the Earl Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, who was already very involved with the was disabled and who agreed to undertake the task of bookings organiser.
The Name of the Trust
The Name of the Trust
John R. Hume , the first Chairman of Seagull Trust, in his note “The Origin of the Seagull Trust, 25 May 2009” he wrote:
“Major Simon Campbell, manager of the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh joined the steering group, and it was he who suggested the name 'Seagull Trust' referring to the apparently effortless flight of these birds, an analogy to the freedom which canal boating can give.” (JH)
Major Campbell was also Chairman of the St John Volunteers in Edinburgh. As a Trustee a provided a link between the Order of St John and the Trust.
In the late 1960s the author Richard Bach wrote a series of short stories which were published in book form in 1970 as “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” illustrated by Russell Munsen. The book was made into a film in 1973 with an award winning soundtrack album by Neil Diamond.
See the website:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Livingston_Seagull
It is possible that Major Campbell was inspired by this book.
This clashes with Ronnie Rusack's recollection of Hugh Mackay being inspired by the Seagulls of North Berwick but perhaps Hugh had the same conversation with Major Campbell.
The first (1978) trustees of the Seagull Trust were:
The first (1978) trustees of the Seagull Trust were:
John Robert Hume
Archibald Sutherland Duncan
The Countess of Mar and Kelly
Mrs Margaret Bayne
Major Simon Campbell
Norman Murray Simpson
The Rev Patrick Hugh Robson Mackay
Ronald Alexander Stuart
Sir William Ferguson Anderson
Gordon Casely
Peter Toland McAree McCann, CBE
Most of the above names are unknown to the writer.
Sir William Ferguson Anderson (1914-2001) was the world's first Professor of Geriatric Medicine
Peter McCann was a former Lord Provost of Glasgow and disabled Scot of the year. He led the Glasgow fund raising campaign for the Trust.
Change of Name
Change of Name
In 1997 "Seagull Trust" changed its name to "Seagull Trust Cruises" so that the name would at least convey some impression of what the Trust actually did.
A new logo was designed incorporating a seagull and a barge.
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