Bits’n’bobs -
David Gordon
The Woodland Trust Scotland (WTS) is planning to improve access, signs and interpretation
across Geordie’s Wood above Muckhart, Glen Quey and Glen Sherup. Path
improvements and a limited amount of waymarking (using one-metre-high posts)
will mostly be restricted to the lower ground. The one exception will be where
a route linking the reservoirs climbs on to the north-eastern shoulder of Innerdownie.
FotO is content that this will be handled sensitively, and it has supported
the proposals. Only one small section of path above Muckhart will be surfaced.
Some redundant stock fencing will be removed at Bentie Knowes.
The WTS acknowledges the influence that earlier input by FotO has had on their
current plan - a plan now out for consultation with other relevant landowners.
The FotO website, ably managed by Alan Dawson since its inception, has a new
webmaster, Roy Craig, and has also moved to a new address. It is now at www.
friendsoftheochils.org.uk The old address will be maintained for the foreseeable
future until our current stock of leaflets and stationery has been used up.
Finally, both the newsletter editor and the membership secretary are intending
to stand down from their posts, and from the committee, at the next AGM. Anyone
interested in taking on either of these roles would be most welcome to get in
touch with the present incumbents - contact details on page 7. The AGM will
be held on Tuesday 30 October, at 7pm in Alloa Town Hall.
Dugdale Bradley adds: I am a group volunteer leader for WTS, and we are raising
a group of people for a one-day task above Glen Sherup on 26 or 27 May. This
involves marking newly constructed deer fencing to prevent birds such as black
grouse flying into it. There are currently few black grouse in the area, but
numbers are expected to increase as a result of the WTS work in establishing
new native woodland. Bamboo canes will be attached to the upper part of the
fence with plastic ties. Anyone interested in helping should contact me on 01259
742652.