Second hand and new tools stacked in Toolshed – Image by Siobhan Fraser

Once again, the Maryburgh Community Woodland Group had their regular Monthly clean-up day on the 11 October to keep the community woodland tidy for everyone in the community.

Litter Pickers stacked in Toolshed – Image by Siobhan Fraser

Seven volunteers from the Maryburgh community met at the area cleared last month in Birch Drive. This is an area that links various footpaths to: Birch Drive, Dunglass Road, the Community Woodland and the footpath leading into the village. With fewer volunteers this month, it was decided to make use of the time to collect some of the rubbish that had been left in the woodland by inconsiderate people. The woodland group were able to provide litter pickers and black bin liners for this purpose.

After hearing that a pet dog had been caught in a snare erected by someone in the community woodland, it was also decided to remove all the string and twine rope used in the construction of the dens in the woodland. If any member of the Maryburgh community finds anyone constructing snares for any purpose, then please report to the police. This is an illegal practice and members of the Woodland group will not tolerate such behaviour in the community woodland. Please be aware that some of the dens were well constructed and are still standing within the woodland. However, as time goes on, without the twine and string securing the branches these may become unstable.

Rubbish collected during tidy up – image by Siobhan Fraser

After clearing the woodland of litter, our vice chairman gave everyone instruction in how to use some of the new saws safely. The new saws were then used to make safe the trees damaged in the resent storms and clearing beech saplings in the southern end of the woodland.

The day was finished as normal with one of our volunteers providing refreshments for all those who took part.

The Woodland Community Group wish to thank all the volunteers who took part in the October Clean-Up day and helped to keep the community woodland safe and tidy for everyone in our community.