Newsletter 12 August 2002

Clune Story Trail

On midsummers day, 21 June, about 100 folk gathered in Clune Wood to hear the children of Durris School tell stories based on local history and legend. Ably supported by story tellers Jackie and Grace, with a little bit of help from local story teller Stanley Robertson, the children sang songs, told riddles, and recounted their stories.

When the ribbon was cut with the golden shears by Stanley, the children ran round the first trail, which had been marked out with temporary signs. Parents and friends followed on. The scout marquee contained exhibitions of the children’s work, including a magnificent banner.

The trails will be permanently marked out with durable signs, which Forest Enterprise are helping to produce. It may take several months for the signage to be completed. At present there are temporary signs marking out the ‘wee trail’.

The story trail is a partnership between FDF, Durris School, and Forest Enterprise supported by Awards for All. Thanks to the many people who have made this exciting project work.

help

How are we doing?

There are a variety of projects under development.

What do you want to see in the forests?

Landscape work in the forests.

Two more clearing days are planned this year. Dates are Sunday 22nd September and Sunday 3rd November. Meet at the Craigie Daff (Brachmont) entrance as before at 10.00am. (OS map reference NO807945).

Bring hand tools (eg loppers and bow saw) and protective clothing such as boots, gloves and waterproofs. We aim to spend two to three hours on the job but please feel free to come and go as you please. Bring your own snap.

The work that we have carried out in the last 12 months has made an impressive impact on some areas of broadleaf planting that had become overgrown with self-seeded sitka.

Contact: Philip Dean

Cairn mon Earn

FDF has put forward some proposals to tidy up Cairn mon Earn. The hill is the highest point in the parish, and is the easterly summit of the Mounth range of hills, linking to the Grampian mountains. The summit has a large cairn of stones, which may be natural, or may have been piled up in the bronze age.

It also hosts an uninspiring and variegated array of seven communications masts, in various states of maintenance, each with a block cabin and surrounding fence for equipment. There are discarded concrete fence posts added to the cairn, and other concrete blocks around the site.

We would like the Community Council and Aberdeenshire Council to work together with the mast operators to make the summit a more attractive site. Forest Enterprise has already agreed to help, particularly with regard to the maintenance of the access track. The track has become severely eroded in the recent rains, and could be dangerous for the many cyclists that use the route.

Cycle Trail

Plans are now being drafted to construct trails specifically designed for cyclists in Durris Forest. Following a visit from Daffyd Dafis, the mountain bike guru who was responsible for developing Coed y Brenin into a major off road centre in Wales, a plan for trails in the North-East is being formulated. Forest Enterprise propose to develop a network of trails for all skill levels at Durris, Pitfichie and elsewhere, albeit with more modest goals than in Wales.

It is now likely that the programme will take longer than previously envisaged, since it will involve major funding applications on a North-East basis.

Red Deer

There have been sightings reported of red deer in the Durris Forests. The smaller roe deer are common across the forests of the North-East, but the traditional highland stag is a less frequent sight. Please let us know if you have seen any red deer about.

Kirkton Trail

The trail at Kirkton starts from the east side of  the old bridge - which is now in a sad state of repair. The route is not waymarked, but it is not difficult to follow along the Sheeoch, turning up toward the rear of the Forest Enterprise depot, beside the site where Mr Gillanders’ caravan still stands.

FDF is looking at opportunities to waymark and improve the route. Discussions are ongoing with a variety of contacts regarding the old bridge.

FDF Website

See the FDF website for the latest about Durris Forest and the outlying woods and our alternative plan:

www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk

Check out the activities planned for 2002 and all the latest news. If you wish to receive this newsletter, or notice of events by email, please contact any committee member.

Co-Management Agreement

After a great deal of work on successive drafts, FDF has now agreed a draft text for this agreement, and passed it to Forest Enterprise.

Our solicitor has special experience in helping voluntary organisations and in negotiating with Forest Enterprise.

It is hoped that agreement will be reached with Forest Enterprise soon, so that we can work together as equal partners.

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