Saturday, November 16th 2013: More maintenance around Campbridge Park
On a thankfully dry Saturday morning, we headed down to the park and in to the pond again to do some more tidying. First to be attacked was the ugly tree on the island – it put up a fair fight but Ian and Jonathan eventually won. As the trunk was removed, a frog hopped out from beneath – always good to see wildlife around. With further cutting back of tall plants on the island, and removal of larger branches, the island work was done. At the same time, Kim, Joyce and Garry lopped branches, moved logs and cleared rubbish from around the pond. Tea break! Joyce’s fine baking was once again enjoyed by all. Then back to measure up the new marginal beds and remove a few more logs and tidy around the main boardwalk – the area’s now looking much improved and ready for a rest over winter. The contractors still have a little more to complete, with anti-slip strips on the boardwalks, and further path work. We’ll be back next year to plant up marginal beds and keep improving the area.
Sunday, October 6th 2013: Path maintenance, Pond cleaning
With work continuing at the pond thanks to various contractors, MEG and volunteers convened today to perform some repairs to the paths around the pond, and clear out some junk from within the pond itself. Thanks to Bennie Contracts for supplying and delivering path material to various places along the path – A team of 6 of us had the paths improved in no time, specifically targetting the areas which tend to get soggy. We’ll know how well we faired when the rains return! After some cake + coffee, courtesy Joyce (even in her absence!) we then headed in to the pond itself. Very difficult wading through a foot-deep or more of sludge and gunk, we rescued a ‘trasure chest’ (turned out to be a bin, alas) and then found all manner of other junk and rubbish in the pond, including a spade, one welly, many bits of fishing tackle and even a whole rod and reel, many beer cans and bottles, and then, around the island, three traffic barriers – very strange! The rain tried to dampen our mood, but no fear – job done and well satisfied. Huge thanks to all those who came and gave up a chunk of their Sunday to help us!
Saturday, August 31st 2013: Serious pond weed clearance day – with a boat!
Another Saturday morning (and the rest) at Campbridge Pond. This time, we’d called a favour and had the loan of a boat, the “Durham Survivor” no less. Thanks to Graham Bennie for the kind loan, and to Doc for arranging transport to and from the pond. We also managed to borrow a 10m seine net to help haul in the duckweed. Without issue, the boat was ‘launched’ off the side of the boardwalk and Jonathan and Kim set off on their adventure. With the net trailed at one end from the boat, and lugged by Ian across the far side of the pond, the first haul of weed was collected and the difference to the water was immediately noticable. Several more excursions in the same manner landed a good amount of weed. Kim even ventured on to the island! At the west side of the pond, we found it was shallow enough to wade out several meters to lift logs and other litter from the pond and we were also able to haul the nets around by just wading out. The boat was used to drag the net around patches of lilypads we didn’t want to get dragged around, and several skippers took their turn at the oars (some showing considerable skills). We also took the opportunity to take the boat out to the deepest part of the pond and check the depth, and see what’s down there using an underwater camera. Whilst a fisherman that arrived during our activities didn’t seem pleased we were there, we did actually accidentally net some small Perch, and several other interesting pond creatures – all returned safely to their home in the pond. Tea and cake provided by Joyce provided a welcome break. Then it was back in to the water to drag out more weed and logs. We removed a very considerable amount of material from the pond today, but with everyone growing weary we finally called time on activites around 2.30pm! The boat was quickly lifted out of the water and back on the trailer, net shaken clean and tools gathered. Thank you enormously to all the volunteers who came along today, including several new faces – your help was hugely appreciated. This work will continue this year while we can – it’s going to be an ongoing task, but the back of the job is now truly broken and each further day will get easier. Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for photos and videos from today, and news of further volunteer days!
Sunday, August 11th 2013: Litter pick & Pond weed clearance
It was supposed to be just a ‘quick’ tidy up of the pond and park area — with several volunteers, we started with a litter pick and collected a decent haul from around the pond and surrounding area (I swear Doc has eyes for finding junk that just nobody else ever could!). We started work on light restoration of the Park sign too, and added a planter of flowers beneath the new noticeboard (Kudos to Jonathan’s dad for building it, and Kim for planting it up!). Then, after splendid refreshments courtesy of Joyce, including marrow cake and amazing meringues, Jonathan took the brave step in to the pond to see about removing some of the logs that have been gathering in the water. The pond has long been filled with weed, but we noticed that an area toward the east bank was clear, so gathered tools and set to work at the south/west side, pulling out weed in the hope that the clearer area would increase – and it worked! With rakes, snow shovels and even a decorators pole to grab the floating junk and logs that were further in to the pond, we battled away through the rain for close to three hours, and shifted a very considerable amount of weed. The rain eventually got the better of us, so there’s more weed left to clear another day, but the difference is clear already (and so is the water!). Thanks again to all who came to help today — please join us again on August 31st @ 9.30am for another round of weed clearance.
More maintenance around Murieston Trail and Campbridge Park
A sunny Saturday morning greeted volunteers arriving for another session of maintenance tasks in Murieston. With wheelbarrows and shovels, more grit was hauled around and the paths repaired. This will make a big difference when walking around the area during the wetter months. The repair work to the fence alongside the Murieston Trail was completed, tidying a corner were rhododendron was cleared and trees were planted at our volunteer days earlier in the year. The gate, fence and woodwork around the entrance to the park from the carpark was cleaned down and treated and definitely looks more loved now. Thanks to all who came to help, particularly to Joyce for special cake baking and supplies of welcome drinks!
Fundraising at the Fun Day
At the recent fun day at Livingston Cricket Club Murieston Environmental Group Members baked cakes and manned stalls to raise awareness of the group, to encourage participation and to raise funds for the current Campbridge Pond project.
MEG Poster Competition – Inveralmond Community High School
Joyce Morrison and Ian Jeffray from the Murieston Environmental group visited the Art Dept to congratulate and hand out certificates to First Year pupils who were successful in a recent logo competition.Joyce praised the efforts of the 4 classes which took part saying that the final decision had been difficult because of the high standard of work.
Leonie Fraser of 1S3 was awarded first place for her colourful logo displaying flowers and bees. A tree is to be planted in her honour in the woodlands around Campbridge Park in Murieston. Runner up was Kayleigh Spiers also of 1S3 with Jordan Yuill 1S3, Linzie Murray 1L1, Eilidh Brown 1L1 and David Hall 1S3 in equal third place.The posters the pupils designed showing their logo’s in situ are to be displayed around Livingston to drum up support for the Murieston Environmental Group.
Saturday, May 18th 2013: Litter pick & Park maintenance
Good warm weather on Friday boded well for a busy Saturday in the Park, but then the MET office spoiled things with a yellow weather warning, which caused a downpour on Saturday. Or something along those lines. Despite this, a hardy crew of MEG and volunteers including David & Sarah Adamson from the Edinburgh Natural History Society, collected an astonishing amount of litter from along the main Murieston Road and by the river, including an estimated 50 Buckfast bottles! Someone’s clearly doing a roaring trade. Also found and removed was a potentially dangerous 50ft length of fishing line stretched by the pond at shin height, along with a fishing lure and several hooks. Thanks to all those who helped out. More photos, as always, on MEG’s Facebook page. Also started on the day, but not completed due to the downpour, was repair of the wire fence where rhododendron was removed earlier in the year. We’ll complete this job in the coming days.
Sunday, 21st April 2013: Litter picking
It looked like the weather was once again going to defeat the planed MCC litter pick on Sunday, but after a damp start we were blessed with some sunshine. The turnout was impressive, with many members of the community joined by West Lothian Council / NETS team and volunteers from McDonalds who all gave up their Sunday lunchtime to clean up Murieston. Huge thanks to all! Keeping in touch The MEG Facebook page is most regularly updated with news from MEG members and also those in the community who put in their own additional effort and contribute news and photos. We have also started a MEG Twitter Feed to announce news and events. We have a good list of Friends on Facebook and followed accounts on Twitter, related to local and environmental issues. Keep in touch!
Saturday, 13th April 2013: Tree Planting – great success
With the weather on our side, the tree and wild flower planting went ahead successfully at the second attempt. Huge thanks to all the volunteers who came to help, including a group from the Lloyds TSB banking group – your help was very much appreciated. A group from West Lothian Council also planted trees and conducted a litter pick the day before. We had so many trees provided that even some additional areas were planted, including around the large field behind the pond, and from the carpark gate.
Saturday, 16th March 2013: Tree Planting Cancelled due to snow and sleet
Although all the volunteers turned up ready and raring to go. The weather beat the effort by deciding to snow. The event was cancelled in consultation with the Management Committee and volunteer. Our Project Manager, Jonathan Louis, explained that “the young saplings and wild plants need to be given a good start to survive and it proved to be too big a risk to them to plant in such cold conditions. We are hoping that the late wintery conditions will soon end and that our projects can resume with a pace”.