BTCV Edinburgh Diary

This Week, Tuesday 3rd

Today we were up on the high plains of Corstorphine Hill.The group was split into two elite teams,the first one led by Chris were sent on a daring mission to dismantle mountain bike tracks built by local youths and to reestablish the original path system, the second team led by Ronnie was sent to do some general path maintenance, The Hardy BTCV Adventurers braved the elements as it was cold and wet day but were successful in their task.

Wed 4th

The Hardy BTCV Adventurers were given a new objective today and were sent to The Mighty River Almond the group led by Chris set about the task of removing the now collapsing chestnut pale fence and replace a section with a new timber handrail. We were also coppicing the over whelming Ash Trees the group armed themselves with loppers and bow saws and and the battle begun it was an almighty war but The Hardy BTCV Adventurers were Victorious. Lunch on the beach was also rather pleasant.

Thurs 5th

The final mission for The Hardy BTCV Adventurers this week was to Burdiehouse Burn LNR, it was a cold start to the morning fighting the sub zero temperatures the group led by Chris started to dismantle a fence that needed replacing, this took the best part of the morning , just before dinner as we started to put in new posts, Anna our new VO slipped and injured herself it was only a small graze but she required hospital treatment so Jess, the ranger took her. The group stopped for lunch and feasted on cakes Jess brought and after lunch we finished the new fence.

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 11:03 1 comments  

Labels: Burdiehouse Burn, Corstorphine Hill, River Almond

We spent the week of the 18th, 19th and 20th November working on behalf of the CEC Biodiversity Officer to manage and improve the woodland areas on the North Edinburgh Cyclepaths. This meant the removal of sycamore and ash, clearing ivy from walls and also checking whether the bird boxes we put up last year had been used over the past nesting season. Of the 19 bird boxes 11 had been used, 6 had not and 2 had been destroyed. Not a bad return.

I was away at BTCV Scotland's Staff Conference the week of the 25th, 26th and 27th so everyone had the week off to rest and recuperate.

The first week in December promised snowfalls of epic proportions but never quite delivered. On the 2nd we worked with Caroline from the CEC Countryside Rangers to clear pathways and fix fencing in Ravelston Woods. On the 3rd we went to Muiravonside Country Park to tackle more rhododendron, it was good to be joined by the Stirling volunteers so we could really crack on with it. On the 4th we were in Burdiehouse Burn LNR working with Jessica from the CEC Countryside Rangers to repair fences and clear litter.

Posted by Chris Peach at 15:52 0 comments  

Labels: Burdiehouse Burn, Muiravonside Country Park, North Edinburgh Cycle Paths, Ravelston Woods

The saga continues.
Last Tuesday the intreped btcv adventurers were out at Burdiehouse Burn. It was a miserably typical scottish day, the rain was on and the harr was lying over the hills . One half of the group led by myself set about bringing down what was left of the fencing that had been destroyed by vandals in preparation for work to begin tomorrow on its reconstruction. Fatima took the other half of the volunteers and were resposible for collecting the very rare and collectable burdy burn rose flower seeds for distrubution in the meadow .Which Chris ,who after equiping himself with the latest grass busting technology, had turned into Mr.Strimmerman and proceeded to clear the meadow. Millie, the rangers mascott, was responsable for overseeing the day.
Day two of the saga.
It's Wednesday and the hardy btcv advnturers returned to the burn. The harr was starting to lift and the beast of burdiehouse was no where to be seen, so Kenny led some of the volunteers and began rebuilding the fence and even though the presence of the beast hung over them all day, they proceeded with millie keeping an ever watchfull eye they finished . Gemma continued to do work on the meadow and Fatima collected more of the very rare burdy burn rose.
The final day.
It's Thursday and the hardy btcv adveturers battered but not beaten from there escapades at the burn were sent on a daring mission to Cammo. The harr had lifted and after a cold start, the sun came out . The group led by Chris started to do a lot of path scraping in preparation for the second phase of the mission and after a breif refuiling at dinner time, they proceeded to resurface the paths with gravel. So after a very productive week, the hardy btcv adventureres returned to headquarters to prepare for the next epic saga.
Ronnie with a little help from the Vasque Country.

Posted by ronnie at 13:58 0 comments  

Labels: Burdiehouse Burn, Cammo

Last week we went to Burdiehouse Burn where we took the rubbish out of the river and we made the path with the help of the ranger Jessica. Also we went to Corstorphine Hill. There we dug out the invasive species like Himalayan balsam and picked up the rubbish. To finish the week we went to the Pentlands in the Regional Park. We flattened a path and we made a ramp to the bridge and filled in some holes with stones.

And that's all folks!

Fatima

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 16:21 0 comments  

Labels: Burdiehouse Burn, Corstorphine Hill, Pentlands

Last week we had a great time. It was hot and sunny so we enjoyed ice creams while sitting round the bonfire.

On Tuesday we went to Corstorphine Hill and helped flatten a path as well as take out more salmonberry. At lunch time we had a great game of cricket/rounders in the sunshine.

We went to Burdiehouse Burn on Wednesday. We had a bonfire and took rubbish out of the river. We found a shopping trolley, prams and lots of unidentified things, and Willie was so enthusiastic he fell in. Luckily it was so warm his clothes dried and he enjoyed ice creams with the rest of us.

On Thursday we cut down more laurel around Blackford Pond and burnt it. No-one fell in this time, but we still had time for more ice cream.

Posted by Gemma at 11:10 0 comments  

Labels: Blackford Pond, Burdiehouse Burn, Corstorphine Hill