Friends of Durris Forests

Lairhillock Primary School’s Health Fair.

In the evening of Tuesday 24^th May Lairhillock Primary School held a health fair and volunteer Pam Deacon went along to represent FDF. 

Pam set up a table and displayed an FCS map showing the proposed ten year plan for Durris forests from 2012, and also information leaflets about the various walks and amenities our local forests offer.

The fair was very well attended and the FDF table attracted lots of attention, especially the forest development map.  Several families were looking for new walks and were very pleased to discover paths which are user friendly for small children and buggies.

Hopefully the leaflets they took away will be put to good use and encourage more parents to take their children into the woods.

FDF Forest School Project.

FDF have completed Durris Primary School’s forest school programme but they continue to work with Lairhillock and Drumoak until the end of 2011.  They are also starting with Crathes Primary School after the summer holidays until the end of November.

FDF have been awarded further funding for the project which includes a grant from the Mary Salmond Trust for £388.69. This will pay for forest school equipment and resources. The Ernest Cook Trust has also awarded a grant for £3,800 which will pay for forest leader training.

FDF’s Big Picnic

FDF have received funding from FCS to celebrate the International Year of the Forests at Pitcowdens Heritage Site, Durris forest on Saturday 27^th August 2011.  The event is free and open to all ages.  We are encouraging everyone to join in the celebrations by bringing a picnic and participating in the organised activities which include storytelling, greenwood crafts, material craft and music. For further details visit our website - http://www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk/

New Committee Member

We would like to say a big thank you to Margaret Mieras who has recently joined our committee.  Margaret vey kindly agreed to become the representative for the horse riding community.

Techfest

For a second year FDF are supporting our local Forest Education Initiative Cluster Group at Techfest in Aberdeen, at their primary school and public programme.   The title of our stand is “Wildwood Connection” - celebrating the International Year of the Forest by creating the ecosystems and exploring the connections within different types of native woodland.  For further details about the event visit http://www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk/tis/