Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

With Christmas just a week away – I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported  our appeal. At a local level the appeal has been extremely successful.  If we are to achieve our ambitions for the site we still have a long way to go and fundraising will continue well into the New Year.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2010.

Tree Planting in West Dunbarton

The Trust may still be raising the funds to acquire Lang Craigs – but this hasn’t stopped us planting trees across the  region.

Thanks to the Woodland Trust and Sainsbury’s Active Kids schools across West Dunbartonshire have been provided with free tree saplings to plant in their schools grounds.

The packs are a great way for young people to learn about the environment and how they can support and nurture it from an early age and continue to do so for the rest of their lives.  Tree packs are just one way the Trust engages with young people and we hope that our plans for the acquisition of Lang Craigs will provide further opportunities to engage with schools in West Dunbartonshire.

If you have missed out this autumn, you can apply for a free tree and/or seed pack for delivery in March 2010 by visiting www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/hedge

Thank you for your support

Despite the gale force winds and heavy rain showers, the fun day at Lang Craigs was a great success. A big thank you to all of you who braved the weather and  showed your support.  In between the rain showers, families were entertained by Jean’s fantastic stories of woodland,  some worked with the green man, using things found on the forest floor created some magnificent pieces of tree art.  Our willow weaver, was kept occupied throughout the day, demonstrating her talents. 

This was the perfect opportunity to meet with the local community to discuss our plans for Lang Craigs.  Hopefully this is just the start of a very long and fruitful partnership with the people of  Dumbarton.

Lang Craigs – Rich in History

Lang Craigs is rich in history – but the Trust has only scratched the surface and we want to know more so we can build up a picture of how the land has been used over the years.

One of the stories we know about is the concrete underground shelter within the grounds. This was used during WWII by RAF personnel in charge of the decoy site where lights were switched on during air raids to simulate dock installations and fires were also lit in order to divert German bombers from their targets. On May 5-6 1941 more bombs fell on this decoy site than on the whole of Dumbarton –sparing the town from the devastation suffered by neighbouring Clydebank and Greenock.

We really want to know more about this fascinating feature so if you have any information about this or anything else about the site then tell us more.

Join us for a fun filled family day

Why not come along and find out more about our plans for Lang Craigs on Saturday 3rd October between 12 and 4.  There is something for everyone, storytelling walks for all the family, robust walks up to the Craigs for the more robust, or why not make a piece of ar using nature’s materials.  Or simply come along for a chat over a hot drink and discuss our plans.  The event is taking place in the grounds of Overtoun House – as parking is limited there will be a bus service  from the Council Headquarters on Garshake Road at 11.50am, 12.50pm and 1.50pm

Help us create a new home for Scotland’s wildlife

The Woodland Trust Scotland is launching an ambitious £1.5million fundraising appeal to help acquire and manage 243ha spectacular land on the outskirts of Dumbarton. The site is known as Lang Craigs.

The site offers spectacular views over the town, the River Clyde and Ben Lomond. As you stand in the middle of the site, you could be forgiven for thinking that you are in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands, the reality is that you are only 12 miles from the centre of Glasgow.

Unfortunately years of neglect have degraded the natural environment but the site has fantastic opportunities for woodland creation. We plan to enhance the landscape by creating much needed new native woodland. In just 12-15 years this area will start to look and feel like young woodland, home to a fantastic array of wildlife and forest flowers and will provide an attractive area for recreation.

The site is not just about woodland creation – we want to work with school and the local community and get them involved in tree planting – inspiring a love of nature in future generation.

We only have a limited time to secure the future of this Scottish treasure – to help us make a lasting difference please donate today.