Vince Thompson was appointed Director of the St Helena National Trust on 1st October this year.  The appointment brought to an end a difficult period of several months when no full time director was available.  Prior to Vince’s appointment Barbara George had, selflessly, returned from retirement to fill the breach on a part-time basis. 

After ten weeks as Director, Vince said the range of issues which has to be addressed, simply as part of usual work, makes life interesting and challenging.  In addition, the regularity in which the unexpected has to managed and resolved is surprising, particularly for a supposed quiet remote island. 

The main focus of attention for the Trust in the immediate future will be obtaining more and better equipment to help the people working in the field, to complete projects, seek additional sources of funding, increase the number of subscribers to the St Helena National Trust and find more sales outlets for the Trust’s souvenirs.

Vince said, ‘The Trust is only five years old but in that short time has gained a reputation for being successful in obtaining funds for specific projects.  However, when the project is completed the funding stops and the risk of losing committed and skilled staff is too high.  It is a difficult thing to achieve, but the Trust must find ways to build up its own independent funds in order to have stability and the ability to plan further than two years ahead.’

In the short term Vince is looking for additional overseas contacts, donors and Trust subscribers as a first step in building up independent funds. 

Beyond that it is hoped the Trust will, in the longer term, own certain lands and property on the island and be in a position where it can gain income through admission prices or charging for services.

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