Forthcoming & On-going Events:
June 16th 2010 Biodiversity Training for Community Woodland Groups. Identifying and recording moths. Gearrchoille Community Wood in association with Community Woodlands Association will be hosting a moth identification day. Details and application form here.
June 2010 The Gearrchoille wood walk has been included in the new leaflet, 'Discover East Sutherland's top ten walks' produced by Highland Birchwoods. Pick up a free copy at local shops & tourist attractions, or contact us. Also available to download from http://www.highlandbirchwoods.co.uk/publications-g.asp (Lots of other interesting things there too!)
Footpath The muddy footpath in the north end of the wood has been completely re-surfaced.
Work Programme. Work continues on the Management Plan. We have done a small area of birch coppicing as a trial run. Work on drawing up a plan for the wildlife pond (former curling pond) is ongoing. If you would like to be involved either with planning or carrying out any of the work, please contact us.
Membership Renewal. All memberships are due for renewal at the AGM in May. If you haven’t yet done so, please renew your membership now. It’s really important that we have a strong membership when applying for grants, and also to ensure that what gets done in the wood reflects the wishes of the local community. Download Membership Form.
Calendars. 2010 calendar now available . £3.50 from local outlets. Thanks to our sponsors we have been able to reduce the price from last year
Past Events
2010 AGM The Gearrchoille Community Wood 2010 AGM & family fun quiz was held on Thurs May 20th in Ardgay Hall. Report of the AGM.
Monday 9th August 2009: 2nd Gearrchoille Extraordinary Perambulatory Treasure Hunt during Kyle of Sutherland Gala week more...
Saturday 18th July 2009: 10am Ardgay Hall with Tony Mainwood of Butterfly Conservation. Learn about the variety, lifecycle and importance of moths. Take a close look at the species that were attracted to moth traps set overnight in Gearrchoille Wood. Weather permitting, we will visit the wood, so please wear suitable footwear. Children to be accompanied by an adult. Photo of bordered beauty - one of the moths found in the wood
May 28th 2009 : AGM in Kyle of Sutherland Heritage Centre. Speaker: Steve Robertson, NHFT "Woodland Pasture" Full Report here.
May 29th 2008 : AGM in Ardgay Hall. We will discuss the Management Plan and possible summer program & volunteer days. Speaker: David McAllister, Tain, author of our Amphibian survey, "What has happened to all the frogs?"
Nov 2007: GCWA hold Open Day in the Hall, with Henry Fossbrooke (Milton Community Wood) & his Woodland Orchestra, Martin Watsmann (storyteller, Tain) and Sandie Beck (Natural Dye specialist).
Nov 2007: North Highland forest Trust (NHFT) hold their AGM in Ardgay Hall, preceded by a walk through the Gearrchoille led by Steve Robertson.
Oct 2007: Peter Quelch led a training event 'Ancient Wood Pastures in Sutherland' for NHFT, and the Gearrchoille was one of 6 sites visited. This will hopefully be followed up by a more formal survey in due course. View Peter's diary here.