Activities, during 2000, 2001, 2002
(for more recent activities, see our home page)
__________________________2002______________________________________
Clune
Wood Story Trail
The children of Durris School and many others attended the opening of the Story Trail at Clune Wood in June 2002. Renowned local story teller Stanley Robertson enthralled them in the evening sunshine with one of his many his stories.
He then opened the new Story Trail in Clune Wood - the stories, drawing on the local history of Durris, included The Dowry, Red Beard and The Keiths and the Irvines. Everyone then walked the trail, which will eventually be signposted with permanent signs with additional help from Forest Enterprise.
Thanks also to due to story tellers Grace Banks and Jackie Ross, and all the staff and helpers at Durris School.
The project is aided by a grant from Awards
for All, a lottery funded organisation.
NOTE: Completed story trail officially open 11-May-2003.
Sheeoch
Trail
On Saturday 18 May,
volunteers helped clear a simple path along the Sheeoch Burn and
around Kirkton Wood. The path will increase
the amenity of this beautiful area. The undergrowth around the old bridge was
also cleared.
Horse
Ride - 14 April
On the 14th April 2002, 14 intrepid horse riders set out from Bogenraith Farm on a 10 mile sponsored horse ride to raise funds for the British Horse Society Access Fund and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund. The weather was not in our favour, but this did not dampen the spirits and everyone had an enjoyable ride on the route through Durris Forest. On completion of the ride, riders were presented with a commemorative rosette. A total of £200 was raised, to be split between the two causes.
Thanks to Noel Crozier for the use of the large field at Bogenraith Farm for
parking. Also to Forest Enterprise and the band of helpers who put aside
time to ensure the day ran smoothly and safely.
Tree clearing - 24 March: Activity day for clearing Sitka - another large area cleared of self-seeded sitka trees.
__________________________2001______________________________________
AGM, 19th November 2001
Held at Kirkton Hall.....see minutes and photo for more information.
Minutes of AGM + Photo of new committee.
Tree clearing, 28 October 2001.
A dry, almost sunny day greeted about two dozen volunteers who removed many hundreds of self-seeded sitka trees in among the hardwood planted areas in Durris Forest. A vigorous, worthwhile effort by all involved! More days planned in the future (so please keep fit.....!).
Elsick Mounth Walk: September 1st 2001
________________________________________2000__________________________________________
Autumn Gold Walk, 29 October 2000
Louise
Simpson, Forest Enterprise Ranger, led a fascinating autumn walk at Kirkton. She showed a
twenty strong group the role of fungi in the nutrient cycle of the forest, the fine
specimen and native trees, and other fascinations of forest ecology.
The walk
was introduced by John Coyne, who told the story of Kirkton from the C13th, and showed the
mortlock in Durris Kirkyard, the fine old C18th Bridge over the tumbling
Sheeoch burn, and the Bronze Age Cairn in Kirkton Wood.
AGM, 2 October 2000
A good turnout for the meeting at Kirkton Hall, combining discussion on 4 wheel drive activity in the Forest with our annual general meeting. Committee members were re-elected for a second term.
Midsummer Weekend - Millennium festival of Cycling, 24 June 2000
There was a steady trickle of people, young and old, who came along to try a variety of fun events in the forest, at the first Bike Fun Day run by Friends of Durris Forests. It was an unseasonably cold and wet day on 24 June. About 50 of all ages joined in the fun, riding mini time trials round the forest roads, hunting for cycle treasure, and various other activities. The event concluded with some traditional stories, linked to the forest location, by Kath and Jackie who had the participants enchanted. Many thanks to all those who helped to organise the activities.
Elsick Mounth Millennium Walk, 6th May 2000
62 walkers set off from Park Bridge on this newly opened historic 12 mile walk linking Deeside with Stonehaven. Local MP Sir Robert Smith cut the inaugural tape, and joined in the first few hours of the walk, which runs right through Durris Forest.
Bronze Age Farm and Cairn, 19 February 2000.
Ann Miles of Historic Scotland took a group of some 50 people to look at the remains of a 5000 year old Bronze Age settlement on the edge of the Forest area.
Click here for more photos
Tree planting by Durris School, 31 January,2000.
On a dry Monday morning pupils, teachers and mums/dads armed themselves with spades and went with Louse Simpson the forest ranger to plant a variety of trees in Durris Forest.
Elsick Mounth clearance, 15 January 2000
On a fine Saturday morning some 70 volunteers (including our local MP Robert Smith) turned out to clear brashing already cut down by the Forestry Commission.
