A FLEDGLING mountain biking charity has elected its first board this week as it steps up efforts to manage the trails network in the Tweed Valley.

Tweed Valley Trails Association was established earlier this year, and following a public appeal, the organisation has found their ideal candidates.

Chair Neil Carnegie is delighted with the response.

He said: “We’ve been really surprised and humbled by the depth and standard of applications we received for the positions.

"Picking who to appoint was not an easy task by any means and our board comes from a wide range of backgrounds.

"The one thing we all have in common though, is a love for the trail network and riding here in the Tweed Valley and the enjoyment it brings to so many people from all walks of life.”

Joining Carnegie around the board table is Aneela McKenna, Chris Ball, Gordon MacRae, Gordon Smith, Cat Topham, Colin Slater, Krysia Dremza, and Marc Crowley.

The recruitment process was supported by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland through the new Tweed Valley MTB Co-ordinator, Ed Shoote, who believes the organisation will have a key role to play in conservation of the area.

Ed explained: “We were happy to help the Tweed Valley Trails Association by providing an independent opinion and oversight during the recruitment process for their new board members.

"I think they have a great team in place that will represent and work for all riders in the Tweed Valley.

"As we grow the visitor numbers and economic benefits of riding in the valley, it is important that the riding community is involved in sustainably managing the trail network. We are pleased to support the Tweed Valley Trails Association with funding to help train trail crews and carry out trail inspections."

The timing of the new board is ideal, with Forest Enterprise Scotland currently undertaking a land management plan consultation exercise on the forests within the Tweed Valley to consider how recreational groups use the forests.

There is also a national campaign under way looking at the growing issue of unauthorised trail building.

One of the potential solutions is for landowners and managers to engage with organised mountain bike groups like TVTA to better manage trail networks.

Graeme McLean from Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland explained: "Across Scotland we have been contacted by several landowners and managers who are concerned with the level of unauthorised trail building on their land.

"We believe that through official trail associations the mountain bike community can come together and work with landowners and managers to plan trail development and maintenance in mutually agreed locations.

"We will offer the Tweed Valley Trails Association a high level of support to help create a model that, if successful, could be replicated across Scotland.”