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Established in 1970 under The Montserrat National Trust ordinance the Montserrat National Trust is the leading non-government organization (NGO) In Montserrat dedicated to the conservation and protection of the environment and the preservation of Montserrat’s natural and historic sites. Over the past years it has contributed significantly to the education and to the enhancement of the island’s tourist attractions.
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| The Montserrat National Trust Headquarters in Plymouth (now destroyed) |
When the Soufriere Hills Volcano started to erupt in 1995 the Trust was a strong and vibrant organization with a membership of over 600 persons, but like all the other organizations on island it suffered major set backs and was forced to close its operations for about two years when most of its members and executive took refuge overseas. The Trust lost its office in Plymouth and several historic sites, which it had developed and maintained. It was no longer able to access the old sugar mill on Richmond Hill, in which it had organized a museum. Fortunately, its documents and artefacts had been removed to safer places before Plymouth was eventually destroyed.
As soon a s it became evident that life would continue in the northern safe zone of Montserrat the Trust repositioned itself to contribute to the re-development of Montserrat. The Trust recognized that it had a role to play in,
1. Advocating for and facilitating the proper management of the environment in the greatly reduced habitable area of Montserrat.
2. Collecting and recording data about Montserrat its people and environment as it passes through the crisis.
3. Preserving documents and artefacts, which tell the Montserrat Story.
4. Inculcating in Montserratians a positive sense of self-worth
5. Identifying and promoting the unique aspects of Montserrat Which could serve as an inspiration to Montserratians and an attraction to tourists.
Since its inception many persons have played a vital role in the Trust's Development, below is a list of the past preseidents and benefactors.
Benefactor members:
S. Parker McChesney, Meg McChesney, Samuel P. McChesney III, Vicki McChesney, Robert W. McChesney, Keith Richards, A.A. "Bert Wheeler, Marion Wheeler, Erica Gibbs, John Kelsick, Dorothy Burbank and Robert Burbank.
Our Past Presidents include:
Dr. Norman Griffin 1970 -73
John Stanley Weekes - 1973 -74
Samuel Parker McChesney - 1974 -81
Cedric Osborne - 1981 - 83
Dennis Gibbs C.M.G - 1983 - 85
Franklyn Margetson - 1985 - 88
Edward Laroussini - 1988 - 90
Franklyn Margetson - 1990 - 93
Sarita Francis - 1993 - 2004
Jean Kelsick - 2004 - 2005
Gerard Gray - 2005 - Present
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