Monthly Update for Stanley and District Community Council Meeting 9 October 2018

Taymount and Five Mile Woods Project - now West Stormont Woodland Group (WSWG)
1. The Taymount and Five Mile Woods Project has changed its name.
WEST STORMONT WOODLAND GROUP (WSWG) has been chosen as the most inclusive name for the wide range of local communities with a stake in the woods, as per the explanation from West Stormont Historical Society below.

"The medieval jurisdiction of 'Stormonth' (Exchequer Rolls 1264) was divided by the Tay into West and East. West Stormont took in the parishes of Auchtergaven, Kinclaven, Logiealmond, Moneydie, Redgorton (Stanley) and the Murthly portion of Little Dunkeld. It was bounded to the south by the Almond."

2. WSWG has been registered with the Big Lottery which administers the Scottish Land Fund.

3. WSWG will be constituted as a “Community Controlled Body” for the first phase of project development. It will become a legally constituted organisation before it can take ownership of the woods. There are several forms this might take, such as Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation (SCIO) or Company Limited by Guarantee (with charitable status).

4. A logo is being designed for the project by Stanley artist, Claire Dalby
5. West Stormont Woodland Group now has a Facebook page – we will get better at it! Look us up!
6. New email address: wswg.ph1@gmail.com

7. Other WSWG Steering Group activities this month:
* Monthly Steering Group Meeting on 17 September
* Attended Dronley Community Woodland’s first AGM following a successful bid to buy their wood
* Advice from a professional forest manager
* Supporter sign-up sheets at West Stormont Historical Society stand at Murthly Gala and at Tayside Orienteers event. Total Supporter numbers now 243. Formal membership scheme coming soon!
* Recruited conservation specialist as new member of Steering Group
* Met with Scottish Land Fund Adviser, Calum Couston. SLF = key funder for woodland purchase.
* Spoke to Spittalfield Community Council meeting 26 September
* Offered to speak to Auchtergaven and Luncarty Community Councils about WSWG – both accepted
* Setting up Sub-groups to address:
* Forestry
* Community and Communications (including Access, Education and Wellbeing)
* Biodiversity
* Funding, Organisation and Local Green Enterprise and Economy (including Climate Change, Carbon and Community Renewables)

8. The Community Engagement Plan is being developed to include:
* Landowner and Neighbour Visits and Survey (starting October) and User surveys (starting soon)
* Flyers and Posters
* Membership scheme
* Autumn Guided Walks – cultural and natural history 11am-12.30pm, Saturday 27 October and Sunday 28 October (more information soon). Winter Guided Walks (January or February 2019)
* Regular Facebook posts
* Press releases
* Community Consultation events in different venues within the West Stormont area (February/March, to be confirmed).
Elspeth Coutts
05.10.18