Kippen Community Woodland Group would like to thank all those who visited our stall at the Street Fayre to find out a little bit more about what we do and to contribute to our work by guessing how many wood chips were put into the box; 365 wood chips were counted into the box – the winner of the hamper was only 3 out.
If you missed us at the Fayre, there is always the opportunity to join us when we are next in Burnside Wood on the morning of Sunday 5 August. For those whose are unaware, Burnside Wood is a community woodland, with the Eastern part originally common grazing and the Western part gifted to the community by Steven Mitchell of Boquhan. We are lucky to have the wood on our doorstep and it provides a fantastic conservation, recreation and educational resource for residents and groups within the village such as the Kippen Playgroup, 1st Carse Cubs and the Primary School.
Being owned by the Community, there should be a good incentive to use it in accordance with the Outdoor Access Code. Sadly, it appears this is not always the case, particularly in an area in the middle of the wood where a “Fort” has been constructed. The area is often strewn with cans, bottles and broken glass. We would like to take this opportunity to make everyone aware of the following requirements of the Code:
Take away all your litter and take particular care not to drop things like bottles, cans or plastic bags as these are unsightly and can injure children, dogs and wildlife.
- If you wish to light an open fire, keep it small, under control, and supervised – never light an open fire during prolonged dry periods or in areas of the wood where damage can be easily caused.
- If you are caught short in the wood and need to relieve yourself, do so at least 30 metres from open water or burns.
It has been noted that open fires have been lit at the ‘Fort’ during the dry spell and left smouldering unsupervised. A large number of bottles, cans & plastic wrappers have been uplifted from the ‘Fort’ by the Woodland Group, including a number of smashed bottles which pose a major risk to dogs and children who wander into the area, not to mention those who clear them up!
If the requirements of the Outdoor Access Code continue not to be complied with, consideration will be given to dismantling the ‘Fort’ to deter people from gathering and littering the area. All litter left in the wood has been carried in, so it should not be too much to ask that it be taken back out when leaving the wood. Perhaps parents should have a word with their youngsters?
Kippen Community Woodland Group (kippenwoodlandgroup@gmail.com)
Paula Watson
Secretary, Kippen Community Woodland Group
The Wee Vine 