Ellon volunteer is recognised for long-service by National Trust for Scotland
A dedicated Ellon volunteer who has been involved in supporting the conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland for 50 years was recognised at its annual general meeting in Aberdeen.
Joyce Mackie has been involved with the charity which cares for some of Aberdeenshire’s most impressive gardens, castles, historic houses and countryside, in many different guises throughout the past five decades.
Amongst Joyce’s roles were serving on the council, acting as a vice-president, and undertaking the role of cruise leader.
Nowadays Joyce is a life member of the charity, donor, volunteer, and honorary president of the North East Aberdeenshire Members’ Centre.
Presenting Joyce with a special long-service award at the event, deputy chairman of the National Trust for Scotland David Mitchell said: “We want to celebrate Joyce’s quite staggering 50 years with the trust and is very appropriate that we are today hosting our annual general meeting in the north-east, an area home to Joyce and a region which has benefited enormously from her unwavering support.
"Our charity is immensely grateful to Joyce, and indeed all of our thousands of volunteers, who help us to bring the nature, beauty and heritage of Aberdeenshire, and all of Scotland, to everyone.”
Joyce said: “I cannot think of another organisation in Scotland, or indeed the world, to be involved in than the National Trust for Scotland.”
Joyce paid tribute to the charity’s volunteers, staff and supporters, saying they are "like a family".
The National Trust for Scotland’s annual general meeting took place at P&J Live, Aberdeen. The hybrid event was attended by around 100 people at the venue and the same online.
Attendees voted to re-elect broadcaster Jackie Bird as the trust’s president for another year, and voted on three new trustee appointments.
The event concluded with a live recording of the charity’s popular podcast series, Love Scotland, which was hosted by Jackie Bird and featured author Alistair Moffat and musician Iona Fyfe.
