FRIENDS of Musselburgh Links, the community group for anyone who loves Levenhall links and lagoons, is inviting views on its future.

Jason Rose, its chairperson for the last 10 years, is stepping down, as is its treasurer Eve Clark.

The group meets on Wednesday, October 9, to look at the way forward and those interested in deciding what happens next are encouraged to attend.

New officebearers could emerge, or one idea floated by Mr Rose is for the group to be wound up, with its modest funds transferred to the East Lothian Countryside Volunteers, a group which supports East Lothian Council’s countryside rangers with nature conservation activities on sites including Levenhall Links.

He said: “The Friends group has been on the go for well over a decade and was originally formed following the successful Hands Off Our Links (HOOL) campaign almost 20 years ago, which was set up to prevent inappropriate development of the racecourse and golf course.

“I have enjoyed chairing the group for the past 10 years and making sure the links and lagoons are maintained first and foremost as a nature site but can also be enjoyed responsibly for leisure, health and wellbeing.

“The links and lagoons are an enormously valuable asset for the community – it is common good land – and the birdlife on site is of international importance.

“While parts of the site enjoy protected statuses such as SSSI, SPA and Ramsar, it still doesn’t have local nature reserve (LNR) status, which would provide further reassurance that development of this green space is off-limits.

“I have asked East Lothian Council for an update on that idea, which they did consult on back in 2011. It would be great to see some movement on that.

“However, over the last year, we have seen the opening of the new wading bird habitat at the westernmost lagoon, the insect meadow at the eastern end, and a huge number of trees planted on site – my knees still ache from helping with those!

“So, even without LNR status, the site’s prime purpose as a nature habitat seems pretty clear and pretty safe.

“After a decade of convening a wide range of interests and keeping a vigilant guard against any wacky proposals not in keeping with the sustainable aims of the site, I feel it is time for me to move on and for the group to consider its future.

“I have other personal and professional interests that I must focus on, so if others feel able to continue the work of the group, that is great.

“However, given the aims of the group have largely been achieved, perhaps it would be better to transfer its modest resources to another existing group through which the community can continue to be involved.”

Mr Rose added: “Whatever happens, I’d like to thank Kristian Purchase, the current countryside ranger, and his predecessor Nick Aitken, for their kindness and dedication to the lagoons and our group over these many years.

“I’m also grateful to Bryon Liddle, Eve Clark and other former office bearers for keeping the group on track, and fair play to ScottishPower for honouring their agreement to hand the land back to the town in a fit state.

“What was industrial waste storage – ash from the old Cockenzie coal power station – is now a tremendous mix of wildlife habitats.

“I look forward to continuing to visit the lagoons, and possibly still taking part in litter picks or habitat maintenance.

“It is a living, breathing site so the work will never end!

“I hope the people of Musselburgh continue to value, appreciate and protect the links and lagoons for years to come.”

The meeting will be held at 6.30pm in the Musselburgh East Community Centre on Haddington Road, near the Levenhall roundabout.