A historic Angus organisation at the centre of ‘secret society’ claims is set for a fresh start.
Letham Feuars’ Committee has served the village for more than two centuries.
It was set up by landowner and former MP ‘Honest’ George Dempster.
In 1788, he founded what was to become the largest village in the county.
And the committee’s role in looking after local land and property is thought to be unique in modern-day Scotland.
But it has been at the centre of controversy over claims of a lack of transparency around the way its business has been conducted.
It prompted a split in the village and angry social media outbursts on a community Facebook page.
The row prompted a special meeting of the committee in the village hall on Thursday night.
And despite the torrential rain sweeping Angus it brought out more than 100 people in the largest turnout for a local meeting in many years.
What happened at the meeting?
The current four-strong committee indicated they would be stepping down.
And in their place, nine people put themselves forward to fill all of the positions on the committee.
It means the Feuars’ group is at full strength for the first time in many years.
Kirsty McHardy of the departing committee said: “I would personally like to thank the villagers who braved the weather and came along to the Feuars’ meeting in the hall.
“You filled every chair that we put out and supported us.
“What a fantastic way to show that some things are worth fighting for.”
What will be on the agenda for the Feuars’ future?
A row about ownership of a small portion of land at the Feuars’ Green in The Den was part of the previous controversy.
The former committee say it has been legally sorted out, so the new group will likely check that has been resolved.
Locals will also be looking to the future of the former public toilets.
The Feuars own the site but the loos were closed a number of years ago.
Some hope they could be re-opened on a voluntary basis.
The group’s other assets include the Feuars’ Hall in The Square.
For many years the group received a rental income from Angus Council who used the hall as the local library before it was shut by the local authority.
The new committee will meet properly for the first time early next week.
