The inner workings of the Field Studies Council in Millport was the fascinating subject of a talk for Cumbrae Historical Society.

In a departure from normal practice, the society met at the Field Studies Centre in Millport on Monday where they were treated to a tour of the new facilities and a presentation on the history of the Field Studies Council (FSC) by Dan Moncrieff.

Members were most impressed by the quality of the new buildings and their facilities, with further re-development currently taking place to the old hostel building. The plan is to be able to cater and accommodate over 130 students at any one time, to take account of larger university classes now seeking fieldwork opportunities.

Regarding the background to the FSC, Dan explained that the organisation celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2013. Initiated during the war to raise awareness of the countryside for children evacuated from London, the Council initially rented Flatford Mill (remember Constable's “Hay Wain” picture) from the National Trust. Juniper Hall near London was taken over in 1947. Dale Fort in Pembrokeshire was acquired in the 1950s and was the first one actually owned by the FSC.

With hard economic times in the 1950s the FSC struggled to make ends meet but, after the Department of Education agreed to pay off its debts if the FSC changed tack from teaching adults and teachers themselves to taking lots of school children, then they began to prosper.

Giving fieldwork experience to 'A'-level students in England and Highers students in Scotland doing projects is now their main customer base. In Scotland, the Field Studies Centre at Kindrogan in Perthshire is now, along with Millport, part of FSC Scotland.

New centres have been added to the FSC portfolio in England and Northern Ireland and the organisation now facilitates 140,000 learners per year (65,000 residential). Millport's marine station will thus, with its contribute impressive facilities, extend the marine reach of this successful organisation.

The next meeting, at the normal venue (Newton Lounge) is on Monday 14 December when Alex Galloway will speak about 'Restoring stained glass'. All welcome.