BIG Award for Environment Group

Saline Environment Group’s bank balance has increased by £8850 thanks to a grant from the BIG Lottery Fund’s “Breathing Places”.

The money is to be used to improve public access to Saline Glen by providing materials, equipment and volunteers’ expenses.

“Breathing Places” is a UK-wide programme that complements the BBC’s “ Breathing Places” campaign by giving funding for small groups. Its aims are to improve people’s enjoyment of our environment. More details are available on the BBC web page www.BBC.co.uk

The grant will be used to complete works in the Glen with an emphasis on the first section to improve access by people with mobility problems.

According to the group’s chair, Peter Hart, "This section is reasonably level and should be accessible to people with mobility scooters.

"We intend to improve the path as far as possible and to create an area where scooter users can enjoy views of the burn. Unfortunately, the section beyond this is constrained by topography and we will be carrying out limited works that will not impact on habitats."

The existing interpretation board will be upgraded and funds are available to provide a new board at the Steelend end.

Pupils from Saline School will be involved in its design, which will include pupils' artwork, similar to St Serf’s and Torryburn Schools’ work on the Valleyfield Wood boards. It is also hoped that the improvements will enable the school to use the Glen as an outdoor classroom.

Saline Environment Group are looking for volunteers of all ages and abilities.

According to the group’s new secretary, Laura Wright, "There is no barrier to people participating. There is more to this project than physical labouring and we hope that people of all ages and abilities will come along. Everyone will be more than welcome."

Work has started and 12 volunteers turned up on 30th June and cleared invasive weeds at the entrance. The next sessions are on the Saturdays 14th July and 28th July, meeting at the Glen entrance at 10 am.

Chair of Saline and Steelend Community Council, Jim Hensman, welcomed the grant, "It is a boost to local morale that our efforts have received national recognition and that we are on the map through the BBC web site. Hopefully, our other bids for the community garden will be equally successful."