A charity set up to raise funds for and deliver a multi-million pound redevelopment of Hermitage Park will continue its work after five new trustees stepped forward.

The Friends of Hermitage Park announced their decision to disband earlier this year following a “breakdown of trust” between the group and Argyll and Bute Council.

Following a public appeal by Councillor Fiona Howard, a band of new trustees came forward and the baton was handed over on Wednesday, November 16, with the unanimous support of those attending the meeting.

Chairman Alan Morris, treasurer Catriona Morton, secretary James Adlington, Jon Simmons, and Sarah Davies were voted into office at the Friends’ AGM at Victoria Halls.

Alan said: “We are five local people who responded to Councillor Howard’s call for help to save the FoHPA with no real expectation of what that would entail. We then agreed amongst ourselves to approach the Friends and subsequently committed to stand for election as trustees and officers.

“We believe quite strongly that it’s important to recognise and thank the departing trustees for the amazing work they have undertaken over many years in bringing the park to where it is today.

“We are under no illusions that they will be a difficult act to follow but we will aim to contribute to the continued development of the park within our community.”

Fiona Baker, the Friends’ retiring chairman, added: “We are delighted that five community-minded people have stepped forward at the eleventh hour to act as trustees and ensure the park's much needed Friends can continue.

“Our new trustees inherit a legacy of years of hard work and determination by the community to save the park.

"We hope they will be able to help the park realise its potential and develop it as a thriving and sustainable asset at the heart of our community.

“We thank them wholeheartedly for stepping forward and wish them the best of luck in their endeavours.”

The immediate future for the new group will involve getting the essential formalities of trustee change in place, working through the handover, discussions with the council team which runs the park on a day-to-day basis and establishing a working understanding and new relationship.

Cllr Howard said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to find such a talented team to take the Friends forward and I am looking forward to working with them as they begin work. The park is in great hands.”