News – Friends of Duchess Woods

Thurgood Bridge Repairs

Some essential repairs are necessary to the Thurgood Bridge.

Over the next few weeks and from time to time, we plan to close the Bridge to walkers so that repairs can be carried out.

When the Bridge is closed, “Footpath Closed ” signs will be put in place at the Patterson Drive entrance and at the point where the path from the Bridge meets the main path round the Wood. When these signs are in place please don’t use the Bridge as this will slow the work down which needs to be done.

When the signs aren’t in place the bridge can be crossed.

Thank you for your understanding and help with this matter.

Wassailing

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Foraging

Thank you to everyone who came to our foraging walk in the woods this morning. The walk was led by our FODW Trustee Nicky,a trained herbologist and font of knowledge about traditional uses of plants and trees for medicinal purposes.

August Work Party

On Sunday 31 August a group of volunteers set about a number of jobs centred around the car park. The large garden shrub hiding the only yew tree we know of in the Wood was cleared away, weeds and other growth at the car park island and over the stone bridge were cut back and numerous potholes were filled. A branch overhanging some of the young birch behind the car park fence was cut down and the fence at the tree nursery repaired. Many thanks to everyone who came along.

If you would like to join our monthly work parties email chairofduchesswood@gmail.com

A New Picnic Bench

The Committee of the Friends of Duchess Wood has installed a recycled plastic picnic bench at the Pony Field. If you are wondering why ‘recycled plastic’ – its strength and durability will mean it stays in good working order for a long, long time.
Funds for the bench were provided from (1) membership fees, (2) donations for firewood and from (3) various events held in the last year.
This wonderful addition to improve the overall amenity of Duchess Wood is thanks to our membership and donors for making this possible. So huge thanks goes to YOU!

TRUSTEE OPPORTUNITIES

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TREE NURSERY

On 4th March 90 small saplings were planted in the tree nursery by Community Service personnel. The 8 types of sapling planted included rowan, wild cherry, crab apple and dog rose.

These saplings were provided free by The Woodland Trust as part of a national project to increase tree and coppice plant numbers leading to better biodiversity. It will probably be at lease 2 years before these plants are large enough to be planted out in the Wood. In the meantime the FODW will look after the nursery by weeding, mulching and maintaining the border to keep deer out in order to give these young plants a good start. Our thanks to the Woodland Trust and Community Service.

FODW Statement

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YLEM Battery Storage Plan Rejection

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FODW Statement

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Network Rail

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A Message from the Chair

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FODW Comments on Need for EIA

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YLEM Battery Storage

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Spring Wild Flower Walk

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Top Ten Things to See

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Friends of Duchess Wood needs your help !

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Duchess Woods in the Paper

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Carolyn with her guide dog Pixie and and Rhona with her assistance dog Clara who said they now feel confident walking in the Wood.

Local resident Andy Russell on his mobility scooter who said the newly resurfaced path has enabled him to visit the Wood again which he couldn’t do otherwise.

Helensburgh group hoping to retain woodland’s Local Nature Reserve status

Read the Advertiser article on our Twitter account

Extract from the Herald 26th Dec

‘Dust off the Christmas cobwebs ( One of ten Walks in Scotland to walk off Christmas)

Duchess Wood, Helensburgh

Just a short walk from the centre of Helensburgh lies the Duchess Wood. It is large enough to feel like you have escaped civilisation, but short enough that you can loop around it in less than an hour. Dogs will love running around and exploring the forest, while kids can enjoy spotting squirrels and birds between the trees.’

Safeguarding

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We encourage all uses to make use of the wood in a responsible manner being cognizant and sympathetic of other users.

Future of Local Nature Reserve Status for Duchess Woods

https://www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/news/18265445.question-mark-future-duchess-wood-helensburgh/