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Hill & Hermitage
Newsletter of Friends of the Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill
Winter 2002/3 Volume 4, Issue 1. ISSN 1470-9945
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Stairway to heaven?
Well, not quite, but we're soon to have a new staircase built into the slope on the west side of Blackford Hill, helping pedestrians to reach the area around the telecommunications masts from the Midmar direction.
The 130 steps will be timber, with their ends covered in soil.
Approved in the City's management plan for the Hermitage LNR, the new project will cost £8,777, half of which will be paid by Scottish Natural Heritage.
"The aim is to stop erosion, prevent damage to wild flowers there, make the ascent/descent safer and improve the appearance of the area" says Countryside Ranger Fergus Cook.
Fergus reports that the work has already started and construction will last for 2-4 weeks. A container will be located at the top of the slope for the storage of tools etc, while work goes on.
Unfortunately, after making enquiries, we understand that there will be no provision for the disabled.
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If you go down to the woods today...
... you're sure for a big surprise. No, not a bunch of teddy bear escapees gorging themselves from picnic hampers, but, as the sharp-eyed amongst you will have noticed, the recent appearance of brand new wooden field and pedestrian access gates and a partially cemented dry stane dyke along the eastern boundary of the woodland and wetland patch area of the reserve between the pond and the allotments. This work was recently carried out by fully qualified contractors (on time and on budget - Scottish Parliament eat your heart out!) as part of our ambitious long term project to improve the wildlife and amenity value of 'the Patch' by taking over the environmental management and planning of this area from the ranger service (in full cooperation with them of course).
The work was funded by the City Council's Corporate Services Department via the Pentland Local Development Committee Community Grants' Fund. A grant of £4366 was awarded earlier this year for the work and for training in woodland and wetland management. We are extremely grateful to the Pentland LDC and the Council for helping us to turn our vision for this small but environmentally important part of the reserve into reality.
You will find an insert with this newsletter detailing our management plan for the patch. The proposals came out of the woodland and wetland survey that nine of us undertook in October, directly after the excellent 'Fungal Fun' event. We have already spent one gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon carrying out some of the more urgent actions contained in the management plan e.g. removing young sycamore to improve the future balance of mature tree species, cutting back highly invasive laurel which poisons the soil and shades out other species of flora, piling up deadwood for small mammal and invertebrate habitat creation purposes and generally clearing the patch of rubbish.
For more information or to find out how you can get involved in this exciting project, contact Jeff on 447 3314 or at jeff@jmaguire53.fsnet.co.uk.
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Cyclists - Friends or Foes?
Whilst there are undoubtedly many responsible cyclists, (writes Ian Clement) there are also a growing number of irresponsible ones; how many times have you been angered or alarmed when confronted by cyclists using the pavement, or ignoring the green man on a pedestrian crossing, showing total disregard for public safety? Not only that, but the environment as well - witness the appalling damage to Corstorphine Hill by mountain bikers and then you begin to appreciate the scale of this problem. This antisocial behaviour is, sadly, becoming all too prevalent.
The Hermitage of Braid is a designated local nature reserve, and is a very special place, one whose tranquil atmosphere is so appreciated and enjoyed by adults and children alike, and especially the elderly, who consider it a safe haven for walking. Regrettably, some in the cycling fraternity supported by their pressure group SPOKES would like to have the main path opened up to cyclists, with all the ensuing repercussions for walkers; at a stroke there would be a loss of tranquility, to be replaced by apprehension, No longer would it be the relaxing place it was, instead it would become less benign, where the fear of being struck by a cyclist was ever present in one's mind, thereby introducing an element of stress.
That is why the council prohibits cycling here, primarily for the safety and welfare of the public, but also to protect the woodland paths from accelerated erosion, eminently sensible. Indeed, it would be beneficial if the 'no cycling' policy was better publicized. More prominent signs would empower walkers and make it abundantly clear to cyclists that they are not allowed anywhere in the Hermitage. It must not be allowed to become a cyclists' rat run. Walkers have rights and they should be accepted and respected by others; after all, in excess of 750,000 people a year enjoy the peace and serenity of this magical place. That must not be sacrificed.
Secretary's note - On November 7th, your committee decided to write to SPOKES, stating that the Friends could not agree to cycling being permitted through the Hermitage. The Committee was swayed by a letter received from two local cyclists arguing that pedestrian safety would have to be sacrificed for the sake of cycling(!). Instead, we suggested that Braid Hills Drive should be traffic-calmed, speed-restricted, and have cycle paths built into it. After all, this is a 60mph road which will soon bisect two children's golf courses, so some road remodeling will surely have to take place.
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From the Secretary...
We understand work on the golf course planned for the fields immediately south of the Hermitage could start at any time. The Management Plan has been approved by the City Council. Although the Friends commented in detail on the Draft plan, we were given no further chance to comment...We are querying a statement in the Braid Burn Consultation Study about the defences planned for the Burn just above Braid Road bridge, and will seek assurances on this... We have complained to the City Council about the firework display planned for Blackford Hill at Hogmanay. This is contrary to SSPCA guidelines, and the city is ignoring a request for an EIA from both the Scottish Executive and the World Wildlife Fund (Scotland)... At the recent AGM, all office-bearers were re-elected, and the following were elected to the Committee - Brian D. Smith, Ian Clement, Mark McInnes, Andy Coates, Marian Malloy, and Rui da Costa. Deb Allen and David Hadley stepped down - they will be missed. Deb's a 'born organiser' who gets things done, while David got this newsletter off to a flying start!