Celebrating World Rivers Day @ Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland

Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland celebrates World Rivers Day on 28th September with music, stories and poetry that celebrates the landscape.

All are invited to join musicians, sound artists, and storytellers between 1.30am and 3.30pm on the banks of the River Urr to celebrate World Rivers Day and to look back at 12 months of community activity in the Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland.

As the prelude to Scotland’s Climate Week, join us on World Rivers Day on the banks of the Upper Urr river as we celebrate 12 months of community led activities that have nurtured Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland, a new and growing woodland on land leased to the community. Highlights will include river songs from singer-songwriter Sarah Jane Scouten, sound artist Helmut Lemke performing in and with the Urr, and watery tales from around the world told by Anne Errington. 

Sunday 28th September is World Rivers Day, the aim of which is to increase public awareness and to improve stewardship of rivers around the world. Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is on the banks of the River Urr above Corsock. The Urr then flows down to join the Solway Firth near Dalbeattie.

The Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is the first of its kind, with a 20-year lease signed between forestry developer Foresight Group and Upper Urr Environmental Trust (UUET), representing the local community. This partnership approach is adding value and delivering community benefits as part of the wider woodland creation scheme.

Work so far has included the establishment of paths, benches and wildlife scrapes, volunteer tree planting days and public events. The new benches will shortly be joined by signage, and future plans include a car parking area. The event on Sunday 28th September marks the completion of 12 months of events, varying from Moth trapping and wreath making, through to drawing & sketching and tree planting days.

The event on World Rivers Day is open to all. Book your free ticket here: https://fienta.com/celebrating-world-rivers-day-at-glaisters-bridge-community-woodland.

Bring something to sit on and wellies if you fancy a paddle. Light refreshments will be served after the performances so there will be time for us to consider, together, what this woodland and water means for community-led climate action.

The Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is just off the Moniaive to Corsock back road, with parking available along the road. Location: https://what3words.com/lofts.plausible.bends.

The event is supported by a grant from the Dumfries & Galloway Climate Hub Seed Fund, and is taking place just before Scotland’s Climate Week 2025. All work is supported by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, with funding secured from Foresight Group, EJD Forestry, Glenkens & District Trust and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is owned by Foresight Group and leased to Upper Urr Environment Trust. Robert Guest, Managing Director and Co-Lead of Foresight Natural Capital, said:

“The past year at Glaisters Bridge has shown what’s possible when communities and landowners work together. Local residents have helped shape a woodland that reflects their needs and values, and events like this bring that space to life. As we mark World Rivers Day and look ahead to Scotland’s Climate Week, it’s a timely reminder of how community collaboration can support both nature and climate resilience."

Kerry Morisson is a UUET Trustee and is overseeing the event on 28th September. Kerry said:

“It’s great to be celebrating World River Day on the banks of the Urr with three artists whose performances will take us into the watery worlds of rivers and the life they support. Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland is such a special place and it will be lovely to talk with everyone after the performances.”

Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands benefits from ongoing support from a range of partners, including Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry and Dumfries & Galloway Council’s Environment Team. Work by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is being boosted thanks to a major grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aiming to deliver a tangible response to the twin crises we face and to maximise the benefits delivered in the region.

For more information about Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, follow them on social media, visit the website www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or sign up for the newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/iAlL6k. Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is registered in Scotland as a SCIO, number 052525.

Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands is a membership organisation. If you’d like to join as a member, visit the website. For further info, please contact mcnabb.laurie@dgwoodlands.org.