This set of pages will form a record of formal Project documents.

Original Balloch Wood Management

Creetown Initiative Limited (CIL) had a 25-year Management Agreement with the former Forestry Enterprise, now Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to manage the Balloch Wood on behalf of the local Community.
CIL originally signed this Agreement and then passed the project over to the Balloch Wood Community Project, later BWCV, who had done a great job over the 25 years caring for the wood and keeping Balloch Wood in a good state of repair.
With this agreement expiring, the original Members of BWCP decided last year it was time to retire from the project and to close down the original Community Venture.

A previous Community Consultation was carried out in 2021 by Mind the Gap Research and Training, Creetown. Their report ran be read here.

The following are redacted versions of three meetings held during 2024

Click on a link:

Public Meeting - 8th April 2024

Public Meeting - 7th November 2024

Initiation Group Meeting - 5th December 2024

- on the 11th Jan & 15th Feb 2025

Drop-In Days were held by the Initiation Group

In Attendance
Representatives from:
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS)
Creetown Initiative Ltd (CIL)
D&G Council
Kirkmabreck CC
Plus 19 Members of the Local Community

FLS welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained where we are with the current Management Agreement between Creetown Initiative Limited (on behalf of the Local Community) and Forestry and Land Scotland. Basically, Creetown Initiative Limited (CIL) has a 25-year Management Agreement with the former Forestry Enterprise, now Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to manage the Balloch Wood on behalf of the local Community. CIL originally signed this Agreement and then passed the project over to the Balloch Wood Community Venture (BWCV) - which had now disbanded but had done a great job over the years keeping it in a good state of repair. However, they had closed down BWCV last year due to the Members not having the capacity to manage this role anymore. We could simply close the Agreement between CIL and FLS, but it was agreed that we should try and seek a new group to manage the Balloch Wood, if possible. FLS advised that the Roundhouse is fine, Cree Henge is fine, the Ponds are okay, and the Trails need clearing where necessary – the Trails are a joint responsibility between the Community and FLS. However, if the Agreement closes, once they go into a state of disrepair they will simply be taken out of the wood.

If a new group takes over, they could maintain them as BWCV did before. Grants could be applied for via CIL as they are set up for this, and they hold the Agreement with FLS.

FLS advised that there are many types of Agreement which could be entered into with FLS, depending on what the local community want. If a new group initially sign up via CIL, they could then sign their own Agreement in the future if they were happy to do this, once they were established. Once established as a SCIO, it is easier to apply for funding for equipment, maintenance costs, insurance, etc.

FLS are committed to clearing fallen trees, however, if there is a big storm, Balloch Wood will not get priority. It is their policy to let the fallen trees lie in the burn, but they would be cleared if this causes problems (i.e. flooding), but only on FLS land and not from any private land.

Some of the Wood is boggy and needs a tidy up – FLS can do some of this but will not carry out clearing at the level BWCV did in the past. BWCV had insurance for public liability to cover areas such as the Roundhouse and Cree Henge - this will need re-instated by any new group.

A resident spoke of the opportunities the Balloch Wood has for local people. Not only can it bring in tourists but could also employ local people to keep it clean and tidy for everyone to enjoy. It should be seen as a wonderful local community asset and supported.

Walkers mostly use it, but sometimes mountain bikes do too – this is not encouraged as they have Kirroughtree for this, but they are allowed to use it responsibly.

FLS has asked for an assessment to be done in the Wood and hopefully FLS will do some tidying up where possible. The newly gravelled area is for timber extraction – it is FLS that is doing the work, and they will come to a Community Council meeting to inform the wider community of when, what and where.

Community Woodlands Trust - we will invite them to attend the next meeting. There may be other local groups who may wish to come onboard too.

After a general discussion, it was Agreed that anyone interested in being involved in any way get in touch with CIL and leave their details in order that they can be invited to future meetings to help form a new group to look after the Balloch Wood and apply for funding. This can be done via CIL initially and then see where it goes, including what kind of future Agreement can be entered into with FLS.

A show of hands proved a good number of those attending would like to become involved with this project, which is encouraging.

FLS thanked everyone for attending and advised CIL will be in touch with a follow up meeting for those wishing to attend in the future

BALLOCH WOOD MEETING
NOTES of the Public Meeting held in the Waverly Hall, Creetown
on Monday 8th April 2024 at 7pm.

In Attendance
Representatives from:
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS)
Creetown Initiative Ltd (CIL)
D&G Council
Mind the Gap
Creetown Initiative Consultant
Plus 21 Members of the Local Community

FLS welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained where we are with the current Management Agreement between Creetown Initiative Limited (on behalf of the Local Community) and Forestry and Land Scotland. Basically, Creetown Initiative Limited (CIL) has a 25-year Management Agreement with the former Forestry Enterprise, now Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to manage the Balloch Wood on behalf of the local Community. CIL originally signed this Agreement and then passed the project over to the Balloch Wood Community Project, later Balloch Wood Community Venture - which has now disbanded but had done a great job over the years keeping it in a good state of repair. However, they had closed down BWCP last year due to the Members not having the capacity to manage this role any more. We could simply close the Agreement between CIL and FLS, but it was agreed that we should try and seek a new group to manage the Balloch Wood, if possible. If a new Group can be set up, it will require to be a 2-tier SCIO, which is preferred by funding bodies (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation). A 2-tier SCIO is when the Board is elected by and accountable to a wider body of ordinary members at an AGM. The members have the ultimate control, rather than the Board, which manages and supervises the activities of the organisation and monitors its financial position. It usually takes between 3-6 months to set up a SCIO.

If funds are needed to be applied for meantime, Creetown Initiative Limited can sign this off and be used as a vehicle to obtain funds until a SCIO is set up. Then a new Agreement with FLS can be agreed. The clearing and restocking of the Balloch Wood was discussed in detail with concerns from some of those attending. It will be restocked with native mixed broadleaf – A community member asked if the local community would be able to influence the restocking – FLS advised that a Consultation has already gone around for this – FLS will look at paths with a new Group but not the restocking. However, once a Group has been set up, they will have an influence once it has been restocked when doing any future projects in the Balloch Wood. It was confirmed that FLS is obliged to restock trees, however they do not put in vegetation. He advised of the Phases and said that the restock would be sooner rather than later, after the felling/thinning and explained about providence/native stock – a list could be provided if the Group required it.

It was suggested an initial Steering Group get together to discuss the way forward asap. It was suggested people stay behind after this meeting to plan a way forward – a show of hands of 12 people were happy to stay behind to do this. Others advised they were happy to Volunteer for the Steering Group to help where they can, but did not wish to be on the Steering Group.

At the end of the meeting a young lady, who was there on behalf of the Youth of Creetown, spoke eloquently about the fact that teenagers are interested in keeping the Balloch Wood alive for the community, but most find it hard to attend a meeting with mostly older adults. After she spoke, those attending encouraged her to ask her friends to attend in future, under her guidance, and maybe even become involved in the Steering Group.

At this stage those wishing to be on the Steering Group stayed and those wishing to Volunteer once the new Group is formed left

BALLOCH WOOD MEETING
NOTES of the Public Meeting held in the Waverly Hall, Creetown
on Thursday 7th November 2024 at 7pm.

In Attendance: Nine members , and one apology.

WHERE HAVE WE COME FROM?
The 97 hectare woodland (240 acres) is part of the National Forest Estate owned by the Scottish Government via Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). Ultimate decisions / responsibilities are in the hands of Scottish ministers. No-one present knew the history of the woodland or when it was planted.

Q – Is there an opportunity to own the land? Yes, via a community asset transfer which involves building the case and producing a business plan. Presumption is always to transfer to community groups if conditions are met and there is no good reason to not do so.

Q – Any budget available? No but funding applications can be made if we are constituted group.

Q – What control over planting and species can we have ? - Example of Planting at Bruntis cited where less than 10% survived. FLS have a standard policy for re-planting which may involve contractors. Pioneer species will come though given time. Interestingly, churning up the land during recent clear fells may bring opportunities for seeds below the larch litter layers to be exposed and germinate.

Q – Is Sycamore considered native? It is not considered native but is regarded as naturalised since arriving in Britain in the 1400/1500s and being more widely planted in 1700s.

Q – What engagement has been done with young people? Mind-The-Gap had led a community consultation during COVID but no face to face consultation from FLS during Covid times.

The surface soils may be rather acidic due to many years’ layers of larch litter. The land needs restoration work in line with Creetown Land Management Plan 2021-2031, Section 1.1 Management Objectives 1, 2 and 3 – not simply re-stocking. This represents an opportunity for looking at environmental restoration in tandem with other community goals. While the older history of the woodland is unknown to the group at present, the Dumfries Archive Mapping Project (DAMP) which looks at old estate maps may be able to help. It is likely that the woodland & plantations have oscillated over the centuries but potential to link into this project. In addition to FLS, local residents may have local knowledge of the history of the wood.

WHERE ARE WE NOW? CURRENT SITUATION IN THE WOODLAND.
Current information from FLS online via the Creetown Land management plan
https://forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/planning/active/creetown-land-management-plan
Full plan here - https://forestryandland.gov.scot/media/n5vjohto/creetown-land-management-plan-full-text.pdf
Felling plan here - https://forestryandland.gov.scot/media/zzrlqrvl/creetown-land-management-plan-04- management-map.pdf

It is possible to gather information from other stakeholders and potential supporters with experience. Shared learning would be useful. Options to discuss with others include the following, some of whom have already been contacted by Scott and Katie:

a. Kilsture Forrest Group
b. Restoration Project at Threave
c. GSA Biosphere
d. DGC outdoor access officer
e. Environment Team in D&G Council
f. D&G Woodlands
g. Project Officer leading on SCAMP
h. Fishery Trust
i. Freelance ranger

WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?
a. Long term goal is to form a two-tier SCIO with a Board of Trustees, through which there would opportunity to apply for funds. This needs good support from the community although only a smaller number of people need to become trustees (say 6-11).

b. Youth engagement is a priority. Some felt that about 50% of the Board should be made up of young people.

c. There are opportunities to create an online survey for young people to access

d. A Website could be linked into social media

e. Opportunity to link up with:
- Cadets
- Creetown senior youth group (Creetown Initiative)
- Junior Youth group
- DGC youth team with both youth councillors and MSYP (member of Scottish Youth Parliament)
- Link in with Primary school and potential school projects

As a group of volunteers we hope to bring our community together and generate as much interest, active support and commitment as possible. We will develop a strategy for wider community engagement and communications. To succeed, this initiative needs good community energy and renewing relationship and partnership with FLS and others.
- Proposed to build Website, Instagram & Facebook
- Possible website name: www.BallochWood.info
- Look to host a “Community Drop-in” day
- Invite whole community to next meeting
- Friends from Kilsture, Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere, Connicks and others could be invited to share learning and ideas.

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
Look to create online presence
A poster would be designed for next meeting
Seek history on Woodland
Design strategy for reaching out to Youth Groups
Raise awareness with friends and family
Speak to individuals

BALLOCH COMMUNITY WOOD
SUMMARY OF NOTES from the 'Initiation' Group Meeting held in the Waverly Hall, Creetown
on Thursday 5th December 2024 at 7pm.

The ‘Initiating Group’ decided to hold a Drop-In day on the 11th January 2025

This was well attended, and we thank you for all your useful comments and thoughts.

These are Shown as Diagrams Here:

A second Drop-In day was held on Sat. 15th February 2025.

This was also well attended, and we thank you for all your useful comments and offers of help.