Murieston Community Development Trust (MCDT) is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, SC052716, which is run by a group of volunteers who are local residents and regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). It has been formed to help improve the facilities of Murieston by acting on the Community Action Plan published in 2020 after local consultation, and secure funding to develop new and improved community projects for the area covered by Murieston Community Council.
There are currently eight local residents who are charity trustees. They have been chosen because of their wide range of skills in planning, business, IT and education. The group is supported by Murieston Community Council and is working with Murieston Initiative SCIO, who run Murieston Village Hall, and other local groups.
Vision
“We live in an attractive, safe and friendly place with good local social and sports amenities and a vibrant sense of community engagement, able to enjoy the best of both town and rural living and an enhanced quality of life for all residents”
What We Do
We work within the community of Murieston to improve facilities and empower the community and its people. Our priorities are developed through local consultation to ensure we are delivering facilities to meet the needs of the residents of Murieston. We will develop and support projects which create local opportunities to build and improve facilities, encourage economic activity and local employment, and foster community spirit.
We aim to:
- own and manage community buildings, safeguarding these important spaces for the whole community
- invest in projects to create long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits for all in the community
- encourage others by sharing learning, networking, and partnership working
- raise the aspirations of young and old and create volunteering and job opportunities
- provide leadership, support, and encouragement for community groups so local people feel empowered to develop their own projects and improve their own lives
- work in partnership with local people, local businesses, public agencies, and stakeholders to improve the quality of life for all residents of Murieston
Murieston Community Development Trust is a community organisation open to all for the benefit of all.
Our Team
Janey Cringean, Chair
Janey came to live in Murieston with her husband in 2004. She has owned and run her own IT Consultancy business since 1996 and aims to bring knowledge of running a business in a nimble fast-moving industry to the organisation. She is also involved in Murieston Community Council, Murieston Community Garden and Murieston Village Hall, and has previous experience setting up 2 other charities.
Davidson McQuarrie, Secretary
Davidson is also Secretary of Murieston Community Council and Secretary and Administrator for the Rotary Club of Liivngston.
John Sharp, Treasurer
John moved to Murieston in 1974, and worked in IT in life insurance and pensions in Edinburgh, until retiring a few years ago. He has experience of being a treasurer in other community organisations.
Chris Dryden, Vice-chair
Chris is also Chair of Murieston Community Council.
Ian Brown, Planning
Ian is also Planning Secretary of Murieston Community Council and instrumental in getting Murieston Community Garden off the ground.
Mark Robbie, Fundraising and Project Lead
Mark moved to Murieston in 1998 where he has settled very happily with his family. He set up a successful engineering business with his brother in 2005 and wants to use that experience and those skills to make real physical differences to the lives of people here. Mark is also involved in Murieston Community Council, Murieston Community Garden and Murieston Village Hall.
Moira McKee Shemilt
Moira and her husband moved into their Murieston house, with their four young children, in January 1988. It was, and still is, a great place to bring up a family. She loves and cares a great deal about the area and wants to see the Murieston community blossom and thrive.
Moira’s professional life was in Education, primarily in the Further, Higher and Special Education sectors. She has been an elected Councillor for the Livingston South ward or West Lothian Council since 2017 and founder member and Trustee of the charity The School Bank West Lothian since 2016.