Recently a vehicle and large mower were witnessed cutting paths through the field and it was clear that this had carried on along the east and west paths through the woods. Shortly after this all of the bushes on the southern side of the east path, against the rear of the houses on Firrhill Drive, were cut back and the chopped bushes left.
This led us to contact the Community Police regarding the recent path and field cutting. While we could have reported this as a crime, especially since we believed that an untaxed car without an MOT had been driven around the foot paths, we decided to tread more lightly.
On Friday 24th July I met with a Community Policeman who was very interested in the woods. Not only did we have a conversation about what had happened and what had been suspected, but he also offered a lot of advice for us from safety and prevention of vandalism to sources of funding and who to talk to. He also offered the assistance of the local Community Police in helping with clear ups and community events.
He assured me that we had taken the right path by contacting the Community Police directly and not reporting it as a crime, talked me through his next steps and went off to talk to the resident.
The PC replied quickly and result was somewhat of a surprise. The conversation went well and the resident was hugely apologetic that they had carried this out without consent, he said they had been asked by Braidburn School to clear the paths for the school children travelling back and forth to school and had duly obliged.
The resident contacted Greenbank Woods immediately after the visit and revealed they ran a tree surgery and landscaping business and have a desire to maintain the woods and build them back up again. Having been a resident for over twenty years and played here as a child, they have a passion for the woods and want to get involved with the group. We agreed to meet with them.
On the 1st of August we walked around the woods talking about many things, from his past, his business and charity work, to what work he’d been doing in the woods all these years, how he could help with the woods and advice for monitoring and maintaining the woods.
His intentions have been very good, he just didn’t realise the land had changed hands. What we have now is an ally for the woods who has a vast range of professional expertise and equipment he’s willing to share, from rakes and hoes to seated mowers and tree cutting and carving equipment.
He’s also secured a contract looking after fruit trees and he’s secured saplings which he wants to grow and plant around the woods. We’ve suggested some for the emptied patches in the east and also to the front of the Littlejohn square.
So out of someone thinking they were doing the right thing and making a mistake, causing some concern amongst members and Greenbank residents, we’ve found a fellow woods friend, a potential new member and advocate in the Firrhill area, and a source of professional assistance and tools. Someone who can offer us so much in looking after the woods. In the end it’s all turned out rather well. Not to mention the connections we now have with the Community Police.