Newtonhill Planting Day

26th April 2012

Volunteers completed the final stages of the pond project at the new community woodland at Newtonhill, Wick on Sunday (22 April 2012). The overall project has involved excavating and landscaping an old pond and installing an all abilities pond dipping platform.

The volunteers added the finishing touches by planting a range of flowering shrubs and plants around the pond area. These plants will attract wildlife onto the site by creating useful habitat. The volunteers also prepared ground and sowed a range of wild flower seeds. One area is specifically targeting butterflies, bees and birds while the water margins around the pond were sowed with water tolerant plant species.

Members of the Friends of Newtonhill Woodland, the Caithness Countryside Volunteers and local residents turned out on the day to provide a strong workforce.

The pond project has been managed by the Friends of Newtonhill Woodland, with support from The Highland Council Countryside Rangers and has received funding through the Caithness Environmental Fund supported by Highland LEADER 2007-2013 and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Marina Swanson, event organiser and East Caithness Highland Council countryside ranger said: "We were very pleased with the support provided by the volunteers on the day and I'd like to thank them all for giving up their Sunday morning to help with the project. Once established, the pond will be a useful habitat for wildlife, and the dipping platform will provide a valuable educational resource for children and the wider community to learn about nature."

Newtonhill Croft Community Woodland is owned and managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. The Friends of Newtonhill and The Highland Council Countryside Rangers are assisting with the development of the site. New members are most welcome to join the Friends group. If you would like to find out more, please contact Billy Nicolson (chairperson) at w80[AT]btinternet.com or go to -
http://www.tannachanddistrict.org/mw/index.php?title=Friends_of_Newtonhill_community_woodland