Partnership funding success for Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland
Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland, near Corsock, is a result of an innovative partnership between the landowner, Foresight Group, and the community. Funding has now been secured from the Glenkens & District Community Fund to build on existing work, supporting a further series of public events on the site and to contribute towards the establishment of a new car park.
This new award by Glenkens & District Trust, matched to a contribution from Foresight Group and EJD Forestry, allows a programme of events to be delivered in the next 18 months at Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland. These events will be across a wide range of topics, from scything and nature restoration skill-sharing workshops through to artistic performances.
The use of the woodland by the local community continues to increase, and this is driving the need for the development of a dedicated parking area. This will replace the informal parking used to date. Planning is now underway for the installation of the car park in the coming months.
A community lease was signed with the Upper Urr Environment Trust in 2023, unleashing a range of community activities at Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland. Paths, signage, benches and wildlife scrapes have been installed and a range of public events have been held. More than 800 people have attended Glaisters Bridge events to date. In addition, approximately 1,000 trees have been planted by community groups.
Work on Glaisters Bridge is being delivered in partnership between Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, Foresight Group, and supported by EJD Forestry.
McNabb Laurie, Manager of Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands, said:
“This award of further funding by Glenkens & District Trust is perfectly timed to build on activity to date, as we establish Glaisters Bridge as an exemplar community woodland! By matching contributions from the landowner with local funding sources, this work is redefining what can be achieved in terms of community benefits from forestry sites – locally and nationally. The car park exemplifies this perfectly, as the need for it is being driven by the increase in use and success of the project. We are showing that even relatively out-of-the-way locations can be a ‘destination’ in their own right, contributing to local quality of life. We are so grateful to everyone involved. For info about upcoming events at Glaisters Bridge, please keep an eye on Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands channels.”
Robert Guest from Foresight Group, added:
"We are delighted to see Glenkens & District Trust come on board as a funding partner, helping to build on the success of Glaisters Bridge Community Woodland. This additional support will enable an exciting programme of community events while also contributing to the development of a dedicated car park, a clear reflection of the growing popularity and increasing use of the woodland. It is encouraging to see how this collaborative project continues to evolve, bringing together local partners, community groups and landowners to deliver environmental and social benefits for the area."
Fiona Smith, chair of Glenkens & District Trust, added:
“Supporting local projects from community benefit monies flowing from the wind farms in our area is core to what we do in GDT. We are passionate about keeping the decisions on how these monies are used made locally. We were delighted to support this project that demonstrates how these monies can unlock other sources of funds, leading to great projects.”
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 here: 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 any further info, please contact mcnabb.laurie@dgwoodlands.org.
