www.tcv.org.uk/scotland
netw rk bulletin Summer 2017
for TCV Scotland’s community Network
Gartnavel’s Summerhouse Garden is blooming!
JIM COYLE
Biohavens are here!
By Claire Quinn, Seven Lochs Heritage Volunteering Officer
Great Crested Grebe on the nest beside (tolerating!) Tufted ducklings on one of the original Biohavens at Hogganfield Loch.
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These ten new islands follow on from the success of five smaller Biohavens which were installed at Hogganfield Loch in April 2016. The original islands were the result of the hard work of The Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves who ran a very successful funding campaign – see opposite. Volunteers from the Seven Lochs collected plants for the Biohavens and helped with the launch. Biodiversity
TCV volunteers from the Seven Lochs project and the mid-week groups from Glasgow and Stirling helped with both plant collection and the installation of the Biohavens, collecting over one thousand plants from around the Seven Lochs Wetland Park. The plants were all wetland
species which will flourish on the islands, as well as some which will provide colourful displays during the summer months. The volunteers enjoyed being part of this unusual project and seeing the success of the Biohavens across the park. The installation of the Biohavens was funded by Suez Community Trust and Heritage Lottery Fund, and is part of the larger Seven Lochs Heritage Project. Find out more at www.sevenlochs.org
One of the newly installed Biohavens with its protective cages. CLAIRE QUINN
Earlier this year the Seven Lochs Wetland Park installed ten new Biohavens on three of the lochs within the park, in both Glasgow and North Lanarkshire, and they have been a great success so far. A number of wetland birds have nested on them, including; mute swan, mallard and coot, and many other birds use them as a safe, dry perch away from predators. A number of the Biohavens have also had protective cages placed on top to protect water voles from aerial predators.
Officers from both Glasgow and North Lanarkshire local authorities were involved in the project, advising on suitable plants and locations for the Biohavens.
CLAIRE QUINN
iohavens have come to Scotland! But what exactly is a Biohaven? These floating islands are used to connect and create habitats and are constructed from buoyant materials; in this case plastic and coconut husks. The islands come in small sections which are fitted together, planted-up and floated on water bodies. To launch the Biohavens, the connected pieces are pushed into the water and then pulled into position using a boat. The islands are anchored using heavy stones to prevent them from moving out of place. Biohavens have many ecological benefits including improving water quality and creating habitats for water birds, water voles and small fish.
Biohaven plants and matting.
Front cover: At this time of year the Summerhouse Garden at Gartnavel Hospital is blooming with a wonderful show of flowers and an abundance of fruit and vegetables. The garden is tended to by volunteers from the Gartnavel Green Activity Project, led by TCV’s Bryony White (in pink shirt). New volunteers welcome! Contact bryony.white@tcv.org.uk
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Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves – a voluntary group passionate about Glasgow’s wildlife
The Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves was formed in April 2011. Our basic aims are to: • Raise awareness of the Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and wildlife in the city • Lobby and engage with Glasgow City Council and others to ensure that this environmental resource is protected, managed and enhanced • Promote partnership working • Organise or support practical conservation events, and • Raise funds to support the above
Volunteers with some of the litter collected on a guided walk at Hogganfield Park LNR. Crested Grebes raising young in 2016 and 2017, and a variety of other birds have used them for resting and preening. These Biohavens were seen as a demonstration project and as a result of their success, additional islands have been installed by the Seven Lochs project (opposite).
Summer 2017
The Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves welcomes new members. More details of the Group’s activities, membership information and contact details, can be found at: friendsofglasgowlnrs.wordpress.com
LNRs in Glasgow Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are sites that are important for both people and wildlife. They contain natural features that are important within a local context, and they provide opportunities for environmental education and research, and also simply the enjoyment of nature by local communities.
And the winner is …
• Nesting opportunities, that would not be susceptible to wave action and flooding, and • A safe location to rest, roost and preen. More specifically, we hoped they would be used by Great Crested Grebes, despite research indicating that this hadn’t happened before in Scotland. Thankfully, the islands proved successful, with Great
Erecting a nest box in Dawsholm Park LNR.
The Group were always clear that partnership working would be crucial and as such we joined the TCV Community Network. In undertaking our projects we have worked with volunteers from TCV, RSPB Glasgow Local Group, Seven Lochs Project and Glasgow University Chinese students. We have also been supported by officers from Glasgow City Council and MyParkScotland, whilst funding has been obtained from a variety of sources including Volunteering Matters Action Earth, EB Scotland Ltd, Glasgow Natural History Society, Forestry Commission Scotland and donations from the public.
KIRSTY ANDERSON/NEWSQUEST
Since the Group’s formation we have erected bird and bat boxes; planted hedges; undertaken clean-ups; raised funds to install a pedestrian traffic island between Hogganfield Park and Cardowan Moss LNRs; and hosted guided walks and wildfowl feeding events. Our most ambitious project involved raising approximately £14,000 to purchase and install 5 Biohavens – artificial floating islands, on Hogganfield Loch (see opposite). The ‘Friends’ hoped that the islands would help achieve a number of beneficial outcomes for wetland birds at Hogganfield Loch, including creating:
photos: jim coyle
Nature reserves are usually thought of as being in the countryside, and many of them are, but not all of them! Scotland’s cities are home to a surprising number of open spaces and wildlife habitats, including dozens of officially designated Local Nature Reserves. The ‘Friends of Glasgow’s Local Nature Reserves’ are helping look after many of our largest city’s green gems, as outlined here by Group Chair Jim Coyle:
In recognition of its tremendous work, the Friends won ‘Glasgow City Council Environmental Initiative Award’ as part of the Evening Times Streets Ahead Awards 2017.
LNRs are declared by Local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, which currently has twelve LNRs within its boundaries: Hogganfield Park LNR Cardowan Moss LNR Dawsholm Park LNR Robroyston Park LNR Garscadden Wood LNR Bishop Loch LNR Commonhead Moss LNR Linn Park LNR Cathkin Braes LNR Dams to Darnley LNR Malls Mire LNR Hamiltonhill Claypits LNR
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Ross and fellow trainee Aroa (at front) at TCV’s ‘Introduction to OPAL’ training course on how to conduct fun surveys to engage children with wildlife surveying.
In coming issues of the Network Bulletin, we’ll feature the activities of the three current Natural Talent programme trainees in Scotland. Natural Talent is run by TCV and partner organisations, and aims to increase expertise across the UK to protect our less well known species and create awareness of the habitats that support them. Here, Ross McIlwrath explains his role with Butterfly Conservation Scotland:
Peatland bogs are incredibly special habitats as they take thousands of years to form, and create unique conditions that support an amazing array of specialist flora and fauna. The damp conditions allow cotton-grasses and cranberries to flourish, and the nitrogen deficient soils are perfect for the carnivorous sundews. This is all down to the vital Sphagnum Mosses which retain and acidify rain water to create the damp, boggy conditions and as they degrade over time they form peat. Peat is an excellent form of carbon storage, and for that reason peatland bogs will have a role in combating climate change.
Spreading the word about moths at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
Coming up – Mossy moths!
DAVID HILl
As the habitat is so specialised it also means that moth fauna will be specialised to these habitats. Since my traineeship began I’ve been regularly surveying different bogs to study their moth diversity. One of my survey sites is Wester Moss at Fallin, just outside Stirling. It’s been a steep learning curve but I’m now getting to grips with a lot of the boggy moths!
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AMANDA MALCOLM
An example found in peatland bogs – the caterpillar and adult Drinker moth, so called because the caterpillar is supposed to drink drops of dew from grass stems.
Caterpillar-ROSS McILWRATH. moth-DAVID HILL
My Natural Talent traineeship is focusing on ‘Micro Moths and Peatland Habitats’. As their name suggests, micro moths are very small and generally have a wing span of under 25mm. Over the coming months I’ll be tackling the intricate challenge of micro moth identification, and practising different techniques to survey for them. And, I hope to gain a broad understanding of peatland ecology, their importance and what actions are needed to conserve and restore peatland bogs.
Northern Eggar
AMY STYLES
Mothy magic
I’ve also been learning about moths away from the bogs. I’ve been conducting surveys with some of the country’s top moth experts from the Highlands to the Borders! I have learnt so much from them in such a short space of time and cannot wait to see what else I can learn during my traineeship. In my first couple of months I’ve been raising awareness of moths and peatlands at many different community events. I had some moths on show at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens bi-centenary event, showcasing the wonderful diversity of shapes and sizes of moths and talking about why they are important. I also engaged keen gardeners at the Gardening Scotland show – encouraging them to plant flowers for butterflies and moths, and to dissuade them from using peat derived composts.
If you wish to experience the wonders of peatlands and moths, come along to one of my events. Mossy Moths is happening at Wester Moss on 15 & 16 September as part of the Inner Forth Festival – visit www.innerforthlandscape.co.uk. From 7.30pm on the 15th I’ll be setting traps and ‘dusking’ for some micro moths, and at 10am on the 16th we’ll meet again to go through the traps and see what beauties we’ve caught! For further details contact me: ross.mcilwrath@tcv.org.uk The Natural Talent programme is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The other trainees in Scotland are Kirsty Grant, based with Buglife, who is studying ‘Marvellous Mudsnails’, and Aroa Sampedro-Fernandez, hosted by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, whose specialism is ‘Species Discovery, Empowered Communities and the Edinburgh Shoreline’. The work of Kirsty and Aroa will be featured in the next two issues of the Network Bulletin. And you can find out more from all of the programme’s trainees at: http://blogs.tcv.org.uk/natural-talent
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George MacQuarrie – a good friend It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent passing of George MacQuarrie, a long standing friend and supporter of TCV and its predecessor organisations – the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, and Scottish Conservation Projects. George was originally employed by BTCV in the early 1980s to help develop volunteer projects and environmental job training schemes in Glasgow and South West Scotland. In the years that followed George worked for, and led, a number of organisations – the Tarbat Discovery Centre in Easter Ross, Solway Heritage in Dumfries, and the Kilpatricks Project near Glasgow, plus some time working in Yorkshire. Before retiring on health grounds, George was National Secretary for the ScotWays charity, whose aim is to protect and develop access to the Scottish countryside. This was an ideal fit for George given his own love for the outdoors and the hills, including Scotland’s Munros, many of which he climbed in the company of his Border Collie, Beinn. Despite working for several other organisations, George maintained his support for and involvement with TCV. In a purely voluntary capacity he freely gave his time and experience to TCV over many years, serving as Chair on both our Scottish committee and UK Council (as was), which oversaw the governance and direction of the organisation. Even after retiring and though not in the best of health, George maintained his involvement up until the present day, as a trustee of the Chestnut Fund, the TCV-backed charity which provides
essential grants to help local volunteer groups protect their local environment. George was a courteous but nevertheless determined person who could persuasively put the case for what he believed was right. George devoted his working life and much of his personal time and energy to the protection and enhancement of the environment, particularly in his native Scotland. His legacy is the hundreds of greenspaces, habitats, heritage sites and pathways that he helped to create, protect and maintain for the benefit of us all.
Toolkit for Stalled Spaces In May 2017 Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) launched the Stalled Spaces Scotland Toolkit to help communities and local authorities to develop projects to bring life back into stalled or vacant spaces.
What is a Stalled Space? Stalled spaces can be land owned by developers or local authorities where development has not yet started or has been delayed. This delay could be due to the current economic climate, or uncertainty over the proposed
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PHOTOS: SCGP
The toolkit is designed to provide support and help with the major aspects of taking on a stalled spaces project. It includes inspirational examples of the types of projects you might develop for your space such as community gardens and growing plots. There is also information that helps to introduce and explain many of the behindthe-scenes issues and obstacles that you might encounter, from where to seek further funding for your project, identifying a site’s owner, through to encouraging and managing volunteers. The information is presented as a clear and straightforward list of the sorts of things you’ll need to have available to deliver your project, and the steps you might take along the way.
A successful Stalled Space project: Shettleston Community Growing Project in Glasgow’s East End. development due to take place there. Alternatively, stalled spaces can include vacant and derelict land or unused open space with no function. These can be enclosed private areas of land, spaces that are out of bounds to the public or rough wasteland that have a negative impact upon an area. More often than not, they
tend to be eyesores that annoy people who pass them by every day. The digital version of the Stalled Spaces Toolkit can be viewed/downloaded at: www.ads.org.uk/stalled-spaces-scotlandtoolkit Or, to request a free printed copy, e-mail: stalledspacesscotland@ads.org.uk
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A warm welcome in West Lothian With the help of TCV, a group of recently settled Syrian refugee families in West Lothian have received a warm Scottish ‘Welcome through Wildlife’. Lucy Graham, TCV Community Outreach Officer, explains:
Staff from TCV first became involved in December 2016 to run a ‘Discovering Nature’ pilot programme for the families to visit nature reserves and greenspaces close to where they live. These taster sessions were funded by British Science Week Community Fund. We were able to try out various activities, and with the help of an interpreter, find out what the families were interested in with regard to exploring nature and local heritage sites. The families were really keen to be involved, and to ‘put something back’, learn new skills, and to work or volunteer at a local greenspace or garden. Following the taster sessions, TCV received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (plus Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government) to run 26 further nature-based sessions between April 2017 and March 2018. So far, the families have taken part in a variety of activities including tree identification, pond dipping, bug hunts etc.
lucy graham
Welcome through Wildlife is a unique programme which brings together ten Syrian refugee families housed in Livingston to learn about and enjoy nature and the local heritage on their doorstep. West Lothian Council Resettlement Team has worked hard to ensure basic living requirements are in place, and the children in particular are starting to settle in school. However, the challenges of integration are still huge and support is needed to find ways to help the families build their lives in Scotland.
Discovering what’s living around Linlithgow Loch. Debbie Adams, TCV Director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, says:
– all this will help them to relieve the stress and the pain. The importance of practising the language and communicating with local people will help them to feel resettled. They enjoy gardening as they are used to growing their own plants. And they are planning to grow their dreams in Scotland.”
Tahrir Waswas, Syrian translator and close friend of the families, describes what this programme means for the families:
Following a visit to Eliburn Reservoir, in Livingston, one of the fathers, Emad Krouma was able to report in English for the first time, saying:
“The Welcome through Wildlife project is providing practical and emotional support for the Syrian families. These people may have high levels of anxiety, grief and loss, a shattered world view and depression because of their experiences. Coming to a totally different background, not being able to understand or speak to those around you, and not knowing what is going to happen next is another side of their trauma. Discovering nature and spending hours between the trees, looking for the common plants between the UK and their homeland
“We especially enjoyed the kids on this sunny day with the activities of drawing and walking around the lake and seeing the fish as they swam. The scenery was very beautiful.”
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“In TCV, we know the health benefits that Scotland’s natural environment can provide by facilitating activities in the outdoors. At the same time we are supporting integration of Syrian refugees in Livingston as people feel more connected with their environment. Our volunteers make a massive contribution to greenspace improvement in Scotland and we are pleased to bring such opportunities to families who are keen to engage and contribute in West Lothian.” networkbulletin
Celebrating Eid A particular highlight for the families occurred at Almondell and Calderwood Country Park, which is tucked out of sight in the valley of the River Almond, between Broxburn and East Calder. Over 50 adults and children joined staff and volunteers from TCV, West Lothian Council and the local Artlink project, for a day of nature activities, fishing demonstrations, and a barbeque to celebrate Eid – the end of the holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Everyone enjoyed a feast of food, including Syrian delicacies prepared and cooked by the families themselves. Plus some homemade Scottish Tablet! The youngsters in particular had a great time with nature-based arts and crafts, bird box making and wildlife influenced face painting – butterflies were especially popular.
Debbie Adams, TCV Scotland Director (left), and Angela Constance, MSP, check out the bird box making.
The finished article.
Lending her support to the event was Angela Constance, local MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, who said:
‘It was a pleasure to meet some of our local Syrian families and have an opportunity to take part in the ‘Welcome through Wildlife’ event with them. Thanks to TCV in Scotland for organising this excellent event which helps to welcome refugees and shows them what there is to enjoy and learn about in their new communities. I’m very proud of Scotland’s long, and continuing, history of welcoming refugees. This type of event contributes to that warm, supportive welcome and helps refugees to become active members of our communities.’ Summer 2017
Angela chatting with a group of ladies during the Eid celebrations.
We are currently looking at ways to expand the programme and plan to create a Syrian garden and growing space with the dads at Polbeth and West Calder Community Garden. And, we will also be doing more practical tasks and activities with the families through the autumn and winter. So, there’s plenty to look forward to!
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photos: deaf action
Stories and Stones Nature and history have been brought to life for many young people with hearing impairments, thanks to Deaf Action’s Stories and Stones programme of hands-on workshops led by TCV and ‘historical partners’, with Deaf Action providing the link and relationship with families affected by deafness. Deaf Action is the deaf-led charity that has been working for an equal and better future for deaf, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people since 1835. Alex Furneaux, Youth Work Co-ordinator, has led the delivery of the workshops for Deaf Action, and reports here on their success:
“My favourite was the nature walk, exploring woods and finding bugs and snails.” Stories and Stones kicked off during the Easter school break which saw three days full of fun activities and games at Linlithgow Palace, Kinneil Estate in Bo’ness, and Harestanes Countryside Centre, near Ancrum in the Borders. The workshops explored the nature, history and culture relevant to each location. Thirty young people were involved in nature walks, insect and plant identification, and learning what life was like for the Romans, and for the peasants serving under Mary Queen of Scots, plus much more! Information about these topics and these locations is not always available for deaf people who use British Sign Language, so having BSL/English interpreters at each of the workshops has ensured their accessibility for the Deaf community. With such an amazing start, we were really excited during the summer to take these workshops further and reach out to even more families affected by deafness across Edinburgh, Lothian and the Borders. Working with Historic Environment Scotland, The National Trust for Scotland, The Haining House, Roslyn Chapel, Penicuik House Ranger Service, friends of groups, and Creative Artworks... a number of local abbeys, castles, gardens and wild landscapes, such as Linlithgow Palace,
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Arthur’s Seat and Newhailes House have been made accessible for the first time to young people who are deaf or have hearing impairments. The list of practical, hands-on and fun activities they have enjoyed is almost endless, but importantly they have been facilitated with British Sign Language interpretation. They’ve taken part in hands-on conservation such as wildflower planting and making signs for wildlife, plus guided walks, games, dressing-up, roleplay, murder mystery and more! The young people have been taken deep into the lives and heritage of those who once lived on these historic sites, and have gained an insight into the rich wildlife which now lives in the extensive grounds of the stately homes and the wild, untouched landscapes, once upon a time closed to the public! The Stories and Stones programme has allowed Deaf Action to reach a wider audience and outreach to new service users. The workshops have been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of its Stories, Stones & Bones programme to commemorate Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology – inspiring people to get involved in learning about and enjoying their heritage for the first time.
Omar, 12
“These workshops provided by TCV & Deaf Action provide an inclusive and fun environment which brings together both history and nature into something that feels completely...magical. There are activities which suit both parents and young people affected by deafness and provide a learning environment where there is no pressure and young people led. I hope these workshops continue into the future so we can keep discovering new heritage sites on our doorstep.” Tanya, Mum
“The owl pellets were actually quite fun, digging out skulls and bones. It was quite like finding treasure!” Emily, 9
Coming soon.... We’re looking forward to continuing Stories and Stones during the October holidays with several visits already lined up, including to Vogrie Country Park and the deaf princess!
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Photos: PAUL BARCLAY
Caught on camera You don’t need to be David Attenborough with a big film crew to capture great images of wildlife, as proved by the Wild Ways Well project in Cumbernauld. Led by TCV’s Paul Barclay, a group of volunteers including pupils from St Maurice’s High School have succeeded in filming foxes, deer, badgers, hedgehogs and woodpeckers, in some of the plentiful woods and green spaces in and around Cumbernauld. What’s remarkable is the team used a camera made from simple, cheap components readily available online. At the heart of the camera is a tiny Raspberry Pi* computer, about the size of a small calculator, which is connected to a camera lens with motion sensors. The complete unit is powered by a mobile phone battery charger, and the footage is recorded on a standard SD memory card which can easily be downloaded, viewed and edited.
The camera components: Raspberry Pi computer, battery charger, lens/ motion sensor unit, and memory card.
The ice cream box ready for action The camera recording is triggered when the motion sensors detect an animal moving in and out of view – even at night. To protect the camera from the elements and to help it blend into its surroundings (avoiding damage or theft), it’s placed within an unobtrusive box of some sort. The Cumbernauld team have used several different housings, one example being a bird box made by members of the local Men’s Shed group. And the camera has even been concealed within a plastic ice cream container! The on/off nature of filming meant the battery charger usually provided enough power to last a few days, before the camera had to be retrieved. Some of the Cumbernauld team’s results can be seen in a short film, made by film maker John MacDougall. The film is on: • The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s YouTube page at: https://youtu.be/6vatRGwHfEU • A blog by Paul Barclay on the Cumbernauld Living Landscape site at: http://cumbernauldlivinglandscape.org. uk/news/article/night-time-window-onwildlife/
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Making your own camera and seeing the results can give you a great deal of satisfaction, and provide a brilliant project for children or young people. If you prefer, you can take a shortcut by buying a high definition camera online, or from a popular German supermarket chain from as little as £60. Whichever route you take, hopefully you’ll be inspired by the Cumbernauld project to see what wildlife is active in your own backyard and green spaces.
Wild Ways Well operates in partnership with Cumbernauld Living Landscape, TCV and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Wild Ways Well aims to demonstrate that spending time outdoors, amongst nature, is beneficial to everyone’s mental wellbeing. People suffering from, or at risk of, mental health problems (ie anybody and everybody) are taken into the greenspaces of Cumbernauld to undertake wildlife and conservation themed activities, all built around the structure of the Five Ways to Wellbeing – the framework for good mental health which is used by the NHS and the major UK mental health charities.
Using cameras to monitor mammals is covered during a training day run by Paul Barclay on 25 September in Cumbernauld. Details at http://ow.ly/ NGre30b7T6R
* Raspberry Pi is a charity which encourages anyone, especially youngsters, to use the Raspberry Pi to create their own computer programmes and projects, from games to science projects. Find out more at www.raspberrypi.org
Working for Caithness A new TCV programme aims to improve the health, wellbeing and/or employment prospects of people aged 16-74 years old living in Caithness. The Working for Caithness programme is based around practical outdoor activities to provide handson opportunities for the participants, as well as enhancing the local environment and improving the public’s access within it. The 12 month programme begins in late August – further details will be given in future Bulletins and on our social media.
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Volunteers harvesting vegetables from their raised beds at.Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre, Grangemouth.
It’s bed time It’s a common enough situation – you would like to grow some plants but you don’t have a suitable plot. What you may have is space – in a playground, community garden, stalled space (see p. 5), courtyard or similar area with a paved, tarmac or concrete surface. And there are locations where the soil is contaminated from previous uses, so is unsafe for planting fruit or vegetables. In these situations the solution can be to install a raised bed or two, or three… Raised beds can be used for planting a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. The elevated soil warms up quicker which can increase growth rates. Raised beds can be used by adults and children alike, and are also ideal for wheelchair users and others with mobility problems, or have difficulty bending down.
Size matters As with many aspects of growing and gardening, a key to success is to have a manageable plot which you can keep on top of, so don’t install beds that are either too big or too many to comfortably maintain. To ensure that people can easily access the plants from all sides, restrict the
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width of your beds to about 1.5 metres, or 1 metre if your bed is placed against a fence or wall. The length is less important, but most tend to be 2-3 metres long, so are easy to move around. Beds for small children can be as small as one square metre. You can vary the height according to the age and abilities of those using the beds, so they can vary from as little as 6 inches up to 1 metre in height. A site catering for people with differing abilities may include beds of varied dimensions. And, if you have multiple beds, keep enough space between them to allow for wheelbarrow or wheelchair access.
Build your own If you have the funds, raised beds of all shapes and sizes can be bought in kit form – something to consider if your bed is placed in a high profile spot such as the entrance to a building. But if you’re working to a tight budget or have a recycling ethos, and have some basic DIY skills, you can construct your own raised beds. And this can be a very satisfying project for volunteers. Raised beds can be built using various materials including brick, stone, breeze block, and even recycled ‘timber lookalike’ plastic, although most people prefer the real thing. A smart and smooth finish is possible with planed timber, although opinion is divided as to whether it should be pressure treated with preservative chemicals to slow down rotting, or untreated (and shorter lasting) to avoid the chemicals leaching into the soil, and potentially the plants. The choice is yours!
If your beds are located in a less ‘formal’ location such as a working allotment or community garden, you can be less choosy and use rougher timber – even scaffolding planks but beware of skelfs! If your bed is liable to a lot of use (and abuse?) such as in a school playground, consider using something ‘heavy duty’, such as railway sleepers which can be bought either new or reclaimed, but avoid any that are heavily creosoted which may be harmful to the skin. To lengthen the life of your raised bed you can line the inside with perforated plastic or geotextile material which will help preserve the wood from rotting, and retain moisture in the soil. It may also reduce chemical seepage from timber preservatives (mentioned above). To improve drainage you can add rubble, stones, broken flower pots etc to the base, plus the option of covering this with perforated plastic. Fill the bed with soil or compost and let it settle for a few weeks before planting. And bear in mind that the bed may also need topped up with soil/compost in the first year or so.
What to grow? What plants you grow in your raised bed will depend on what you want to achieve. Do you want some seasonal fruit and veg for the kitchen, or some flowers to provide a bit of colour? Maybe something to attract bees and butterflies? Or, a mix of these? Whatever your interests, there’s no end of choice: Herbs: All of the popular culinary herbs can be grown including basil, coriander,
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Sturdy beds in a school garden in Skelmorlie, North Ayrshire.
source, so consider this before installing them. If you’re lucky you may have a water tap on-site or can connect a hose to a nearby building. If possible, use a water butt or barrel to collect rainwater from the guttering of a nearby shed or building. You can never eliminate all ‘pests’ but netting may keep your plants safe from birds, which some gardeners also deter by hanging up shiny old CDs.
Further information: dill, parsley, chives, fennel, marjoram, mint, sage, tarragon and thyme. Fruit: Soft fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants, plus varieties of fruit trees including apples and pears. Vegetables: Most of the standard vegetables including onions, beetroot, leeks, carrots, radish, lettuce, parsnips, tomatoes, potatoes, and rhubarb. So, something to suit all tastes. Flowers: Although commonly used for growing fruit and veg, raised beds can also accommodate flowers, of which there is a bewildering choice. Don’t forget our native wildflowers such as Ox-eye daisy, Teasel, Foxgloves, Red Campion, Meadow Cranesbill, Vipers Bugloss, and Herb Robert to name a few. Choose varieties that provide a balance of colour, height and structure. All of the above are usually grown from seed or bulbs, widely available from garden centres or specialist stockists and nurseries.
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Whilst it’s possible to buy wildflower seeds and plants from garden centres, it’s sometimes difficult to establish their origin and whether they are native or not. Plantlife markets a range of native UK wildflower seeds and meadow mixes: www.plantlife.org.uk Grow Wild and Flora locale both provide lists of stockists of native wildflowers: www.growwilduk.com www.floralocale.org
Take care Unlike at ground level the soil in raised beds isn’t compacted, so drains more freely and will therefore require more watering. If you only have one or two small beds a watering can may be sufficient, but larger or multiple beds will require a more regular water
Like any gardening, planting in raised beds can be an enjoyable, satisfying and healthy activity. And whether your group or project includes experienced gardeners or complete novices, there is plenty of help and information available. The following organisations provide a range of ‘How to’ guides, factsheets and videos, plus training courses and networking events: • Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens: www.farmgarden.org.uk/your-area/ scotland • Royal Horticultural Society: www.rhs.org.uk • Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society: www.sags.org.uk • Trellis: www.trellisscotland.org.uk • TCV
anything to add? This article may be developed for other TCV publications or resources. If you have any tips or techniques to contribute about constructing or using raised beds, please e-mail g.burns@tcv.org.uk 11
Finding funding
The latest issue of TCV Scotland’s Funding Update provides information on funding opportunities, large and small, for community and environmental organisations. The Update is available on the TCV Scotland webpage at: www.tcv.org.uk/scotland/ communities/communitynetwork
Follow us online8 vimeo.com/ conservationvolunteers
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facebook.com/tcvscotland The Network Bulletin is published by TCV Scotland. Views and opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or of The Conservation Volunteers. Editor Graham Burns E g.burns@tcv.org.uk T 0141 552 5294 ©The Conservation Volunteers 2017. Charity registered in Scotland SC039302, and England 261009. Green Gym is a Registered Trade Mark.
TCV’s Handbooks are the definitive ‘how to’ guides to managing the countryside and greenspaces. Each Handbook has a wealth of background information, advice and instruction, and is clearly laid out in a stepby-step format. The available titles are Sand Dunes, Hedging, Fencing, Toolcare, Footpaths, Tree Planting and Aftercare, Woodlands, Waterways and Wetlands, Dry Stone Walling, and The Urban Handbook. The Handbooks are available for an annual subscription of just £12.50 plus VAT for access to the full range of titles, with over 800 pages of information and 2,000 illustrations. Individual members of groups belonging to TCV’s Community Network qualify for a discount rate of £6.25 plus VAT. And, further discounts apply if a Community Network group wished access for more than 10 of its members. For further details and to subscribe, go to: www. conservationhandbooks. com If you prefer, some of the Handbooks are still available in the printed version.
TCV Scotland Head Office 24 Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG T 01786 479697 F 01786 465359 E scotland@tcv.org.uk
Keep up to date…
c/o Highland Birchwoods Littleburn Road Munlochy Near Inverness IV8 8NN T 01463 811 967 E inverness@tcv.org.uk
…with news of TCV and other training courses, sharing good practice events, useful resources etc, through our monthly ebulletin. Subscribe at: www.tcv.org.uk/scotland/ signup-for-our-newsletter PAUL BARCLAY
The Network Bulletin is produced three times annually and contains news and features on Community Network member groups, plus TCV Scotland projects, programmes and volunteers.
TCV Conservation Handbooks now online!
An Introduction to Mammal Monitoring is one of the topics covered in TCV Scotland’s ongoing programme of short training events. Other courses coming up include Food for Free, Recognising the Impact of Volunteering, Nature Play, and Recruiting & Placing Volunteers. Further details of the training events over the next few months are available on our Eventbrite page at: http://ow.ly/NGre30b7T6R
www.environment.scotland.gov.uk The gateway to everything you need to know about Scotland’s environment.
Unit M1 143 Charles Street Glasgow G21 2QA T 0141 552 5294 F 0141 552 0418 E glasgow@tcv.org.uk Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre Wood Street Grangemouth FK3 8LH T 01324 471600 F 01324 471600 E jupiter-nursery@tcv.org.uk St Joseph’s Academy Grassyards Road Kilmarnock KA3 7SL T 01563 544304 E scotland-education@tcv.org.uk The Granary 44 Mortonhall Gate Edinburgh EH16 6TJ T 0131 664 6170 F 0131 664 0583 E edinburgh@tcv.org.uk TCV UK Head Office Sedum House Mallard Way Doncaster DN4 8DB T 01302 388883 F 01302 311531 E information@tcv.org.uk
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TCV Scotland’s community, health and environmental volunteering activities are supported by:
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