About Skelmorlie Environment Trust
Our Beginnings
The Skelmorlie Environment Trust was conceived out of the enthusiasm of a number of villagers for protecting and enhancing the village environment. Activities to date, though in an informal manner, have focused on litter collection and beach cleans; however, a few folk with an interest in landscapes, ancient woodlands and native species have highlighted that several areas of ground within the village, under Council control, have become neglected and unmanaged. This has allowed invasive species such as Rhododendrons to suppress the growth and development of native species.
Aims
SET are looking to take over maintenance of some of these areas to clear, restore and develop the areas for the Community to enjoy and be involved in as a form of healthy social engagement.
Work to date
We initially contacted Councillor Alan Hill with our ideas in June 2022, who subsequently directed us to the Community Development Team and specifically Louise Riddex and Ewan Grant.
At this stage our focus has been to gather interest, identify a small area within the village to focus on, survey that area and meet to develop ideas on a wider scale.
We have been working on a draft Constitution with help from Ewan which we hope to adopt at the AGM.
Ewan has also met me at the initial focus of our efforts, a small clearing to the North end of the Crescent in Skelmorlie of which many of you are now familiar!
To date the works that have been undertaken are rubbish collection within the clearing plus removal of some Rhododendrons to improve safe access for surveying and marking of native species.
Our skills and organisation
We are fortunate to have a qualified Landscape gardener within the group who has undertaken a detailed species analysis of this small area and has overseen all activities to date.
Appropriate insurance policies are in place, the group bank account is being established and following the first AGM we are aiming to continue clearing works.
During the winter season weather and daylight will restrict progress but come spring we are looking to increase development of the clearing.
Medium Term Plans
Medium term goals would be to make the pathway into the clearing accessible to all, develop it as an outdoor classroom for the school, some seating, signage and strengthen native woodland species within and around the periphery.
Long Term Plans
Community beehives have been mentioned!
Longer term we would be looking to expand our maintenance programme to include other areas of unmanaged ground to the South of the bowling club.
SET are an enthusiastic group of volunteers, simply trying to make our village just a little more accessible and beautiful. We look forward to engaging with other community groups within the village so that we can all work together for the common goal of improving life for the people and environment in Skelmorlie.
