Progress report, Nov 2018

West Stormont Woodland Group
Monthly Community Update (November 2018)

• Over 250 people have now confirmed their support for WSWG’s aim of purchasing Taymount and Five Mile Woods for the community under the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS).
• With Community Benefit beyond what the woods provide at present being at the heart of our purpose, the WSWG Steering Group is overseeing its newly formed Sub-Groups which are working on:
• Community Engagement
• Forestry and Biodiversity
• Funding and Enterprise
• WSWG’s new Constitution and Membership Scheme will be publicised during November & December
• WSWG Steering Group activities in the past month:
• Steering Group Meetings on 15 October and 6 November
• Neighbour Survey visits underway with nearby landowners and householders to hear their thoughts, ideas and concerns about community ownership early on in the process
• Draft Forest Plans progressing well for both Taymount and Five Mile Woods
• “Woodland Imaginarium” – the WSWG melting pot of ideas for community benefit through community ownership of the woods – is building up nicely
• Two members of the Steering Group attended Luncarty Community Council meeting on 23 October to introduce the WSWG project, which was well received
• Forestry Management visits for the Steering Group to both Taymount Wood and Five Mile Wood on 25 October with three foresters from Forest Enterprise Scotland – helpful, informative and inspiring
• Free Guided Walks led by Daniele Muir of Perthshire Wildlife and Alastair Walker of West Stormont Historical Society: 16 people at Five Mile Wood, 27 October (thanks to Active Kids for car parking); 13 people at Taymount Wood, 28 October. Great people, fantastic weather, 8 new supporters.
• Display on WSWG and the history of Taymount and Five Mile Woods by West Stormont Historical Society at Stanley Development Trust AGM on 7 November. 6 new supporters signed up.
• Attended first meeting of Strathtay Action Partnership at Bankfoot Church Centre. New contacts made which will hopefully be of benefit to WSWG (& vice versa) on Health & Wellbeing, funding etc
• Meetings and discussions with a range of other local groups, businesses and community bodies about their possible involvement with WSWG – watch this space!

All this is working towards bigger community consultation activity in 2019. However, WSWG invites anyone with an interest in the prospect of our community owning these woodlands to get involved at any time. If you have special skills which could help in this amazing adventure, please get in touch. If you would just like to join our growing list of Supporters, please drop us an email and we will be in touch.
Look us up! West Stormont Woodland Group  Email us: wswg.ph1@gmail.com Thank you.