The Story behind the Stow Community Trust (SCT)
Stow Community Trust (SCT) exists to join in local community ventures to develop social, cultural and economic opportunities for the common good. The Trust is established as a company limited by guarantee not having share capital, comprising a board of volunteer directors and a large body of members. More information can be found on the Companies House website and you can also download our Articles of Association.
The Trust was established in September 2009 with the intention of developing the former primary school into a business centre with workspaces. This was an initiative that was first promoted by the Stow and Fountainhall Community Council and as the project developed, it was deemed more appropriate that a separate body be created to take the project forward.
Our Mission Statement
SCT will work with and support our community to make Stow and Fountainhall a great destination to live in and visit. We’ll do this by leading and supporting that has:
- Community engagement at its heart;
- That is sustainable, and;
- Promotes economic development.
Current Projects
Our most significant project to date has been the refurbishment and extension of the Station House at Stow Railway Station. In 2013, the construction of the Borders Railway began in earnest and the SCT realised that the former station building and station master’s house would not be included as part of the modern station and knew that the community would have to act if the Victorian building was not to be demolished. The Station House proved to be a daunting project for the SCT but with community support the Trust succeeding in seeing the building regenerated as a positive asset for the community at large, completing the project in 2021.
We are also providing a governance framework for a sub-group developing proposals for the Stow Pump Track.
As part of the Station House project we also developed a new Cycle Hub for Stow, which is now managed independently of the Trust. The Stow Cycle Hub launched an e-bike hire and trial service and have since gone from strength to strength.
Current Board
Trustees confirmed at 2023 AGM:
Grace Murray (Chair)
Tom Parnell (Vice-Chair)
Helen Corcoran (Company Secretary)
Eibhlin McHugh (Treasurer)
Martin Ford-Downes
Robin Thomson