Eighteen children from class 5/6 at Andersons Primary school, two teachers and five FCWT volunteers spent an afternoon, planting trees in an area of Sanquhar Woods which was recently cleared of old tree stumps. Over 50 tree saplings of rowan, elder, hazel, crab apple, blackthorn and rose were planted. The children participated with great enthusiasm […]

Forres Victoria Indoor Bowling Club recently held a Pairs competition at Edinkillie Community Hall. During the event a collection was made in memory of a well-loved member, Chris Stoves, who died last year.  Forres Community Woodlands Trust was chosen by her partner, Charlie Watt, Vice-President of the Bowls Club as Chris had regularly enjoyed walking […]

An Oak Tree has been planted in the ‘Coffin Field’ in Sanquhar Woodlands to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.  The planting had been delayed from the Jubilee Celebrations in June 2022 until November as it increases the chances of survival of the tree after transplanting.  The Trustees decided to go ahead […]

Pupils from Andersons Primary School recently carried out a survey of trees and shrubs growing in the Muiry Wood.  With assistance from local experts and Trustees, they were able to identify many native plants such as; Scots pine, birch, rowan, hazel, whitebeam and wild cherry. They also discussed the differences between similar plants like gorse […]

FCWT recently commissioned the Forres Men’s Shed to make 24 bird boxes for installation in Muiry / Newforres and Sanquhar. The above photo shows the boxes being handed over to the Trust. They are of a very sturdy construction made from recycled wood and designed to last. The box entry holes are sized for blue […]

Class 6 of Andersons Primary school, who are this term learning about Climate and Biodiversity, made their way up to the Muiry Wood last Friday to lend a hand to a group of adult volunteers from the Forres Community Woodlands Trust. They all removed plastic tree guards which the trees had outgrown and were no […]

The Trust has been developing the Coffin Field as a Wild Flower Meadow for the past few years by managing the field to encourage the natural growth of wild flowers.  These efforts are beginning to show results as can be seen in the photographs below.  You will see in one photograph that the wild flowers […]

Some 20 years after the first attempt, the Trust has been given the opportunity to purchase the 7 hectares (17+ acres) of woodlands at Cathay which were carved out of the original Muiry Woods deal in 2000 and sold to a 3rd party.  In 2019 the area was the subject of a failed planning application […]