Issue - meetings

Johann Urquhart, Principal Teacher of Lomond School, updated the Group on the Community Orienteering Event planned for 2^nd September 2018 which would be open to the whole community to attend between the hours of 10am-1pm.  She confirmed this has been advertised in schools and an advert would also be placed in the local paper. 

Johanna Urquhart highlighted that the recent Community Orienteering event had been well attended and outlined plans for a climbing event to be held at the same time as the orienteering event in 2017.

Discussion took place about the new fixed orienteering marks that Lomond School had installed in the wood. It was felt that it would be nice to publicise these and how members of the public might make use of them. Lomond School will consider how best to launch/publicise in the Spring.

The Chair suggested that an invitation to attend a future meeting be proffered to both Ruth Cairns, Community Development and Youth worker and Gillian Simpson, Third Sector Interface to provide more information on the GIVE youth volunteering programme. 

Decision:

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To note the updates, and

2.    That Lomond School will consider a possible “launch” event for community orienteering in the spring.

3.    That both  Ruth Cairns and Gillian Simpson would be invited to attend a future meeting to provide general information on the GIVE youth volunteering programme

The Chair reported that Eileen Kay had resigned from the Duchess Wood Local Nature Reserve Committee and that Wendy Brownlie, Education Officer for Helensburgh and Lomond would endeavour to attend meetings, depending on her availability.

Charlie Cairns advised that there was no update and that during the school holidays there had been no activity

Decision:

The Committee noted the update.

The Committee heard from Alastair Macbeth who advised that the Helensburgh Advertiser were keen to do a feature article on the Duchess Woods.  Alastair felt it would be beneficial to bring this idea to the Committee to allow for input from all partners.  The FODW had recently commissioned a new set of leaflets and these were now available for distribution.  Ideas suggested for the proposed feature article included the liaison with Luss Estates, the Forest School and work parties in the wood.  Discussion took place in relation to raising awareness through other possible media interest from the Lochside Press, Lennox Herald and the Dumbarton Reporter.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To note the update, and

2.    That the Friends of Duchess Woods would co-ordinate the content with partners and liaise with the Helensburgh Advertiser.

A short update by Caroline Beveridge, Head of Adventure and Service at Lomond School.

Eileen Kay had submitted her apologies but had provided a short update in regards the 29 children from Rhu Primary P7 who had visited Duchess Wood as part of their John Muir Award and as a result, Eileen was supporting them to complete the Accredited Dynamic Youth Award.

Johann Urquhart highlighted the success of the recent Lomond School orienteering event in Duchess Wood. She advised that the proposed markers to be put in place would allow the course to be made available for use by other schools and community groups. If approved, the cost would be borne by Lomond School.  

Discussion followed and it was pointed out that the Wood had specific quiet areas and that FODW were not keen for these quiet reserves to be utilised.  The Committee commended the initiative and felt that this was a different way of using the Wood and opening it for use by other groups. It was noted that other events already take place in the Wood and orienteering events should be scheduled to avoid clashes; the HAAC cross country relay on 16^th October was specifically mentioned.

Stewart Campbell enquired on the status of the enhanced island in the car park and the Stickman Walk. In addition, he requested further information on the footfall of participants from Lomond School participating in activities within the Wood. Johanna Urquhart confirmed that the Environment Committee at Lomond School were working on the enhanced island and the Stickman Walk and that she would request an update for the next meeting. Josie Slater would undertake a census and provide the detail of numbers for the May meeting.

The Committee enquired on the progress of the Forest School and Johanna Urquhart outlined the success of the school. The school was full and had a waiting list in place. Currently, the nursery had 1 Forest School session per week, with the Junior School having an afternoon session per week.

Stewart Campbell highlighted the forthcoming Buglife Event which was being held on 16 April as part of the John Muir week and requested that local schools be advised of this.

Decision:

The Committee agreed:-

1.    To approve in principle the permanent orienteering course in Duchess Wood; and

2.    That Lomond School would display a notice of the course in the Duchess Wood and advise other schools of the permanent course.

3.    That Johanna Urquhart would provide information on both the enhanced island and Stickman Walk.

4.    That a full update on the Forest School would be provided for the August meeting.

(Reference: Report by Caroline Beveridge, Head of Adventure and Service, Lomond School).