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| Update
- the year 2005 | Been
on a Green Team project in the past? Read updates from previous years - 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and we've also got a Green Shoots Update page |
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this page...
Vogrie Country Park - 6th February 2005
Coromonachan
Community Woodland, Argyll - 12-13th February 2005
Muiravonside
Country Park - 5-6th March 2005
Craigmillar Castle Park
- 20th March 2005
Hopetoun House - 10th April 2005
Gullane Coast - 15th May 2005
Pentland
Hills - 12th June 2005
Meadow's Yard - 7th August 2005
River Esk, Musselburgh - 21st August 2005
Almondell
Country Park - 11th September 2005
Water of Leith - 25th
September 2005
Hopetoun House - 1-2 October 2005
Hermitage of Braid - 16th October 2005
Red Moss - 20 November 2005
Vogrie Country Park - 6th February 2005
We met at New Parliament House and once all of the group had arrived and been registered, we set off in the Green Team's minibus. Upon arriving at Vogrie Country Park we met up with the rest of the group who were meeting us there. Once everyone was gathered we had an introduction session, which introduced us to the rest of the group. This was followed by the park ranger giving us a thorough introduction to the park and the tools we would be using (for those who did not know how to use them).
We were then led to the area we were supposed to be clearing of rhododendrons. The main section we had to clear had been cleared three years previously. In a clearing in the middle of the section the ranger started to build a fire to burn the rhododendrons that we cut down. A few of us moved to a smaller area of rhododendrons that had been cut back only two years ago. Meanwhile the remainder of the group split roughly in half using loppers to cut back the bushes while others collected the cuttings and piled them up to burn when the fire was ready.
As the morning progressed a couple of us started pulling up the rhododendrons instead of cutting them, which was actually more effective at killing them. During the lunch-break we played a game that was like a version of Netball only using a Frisbee instead of a ball, which was great fun.In the afternoon six of the group myself included were allowed to go off to a clump of rhododendrons that had not been tackled before, which looked more like small trees. Though we primarily started with loppers again as we cut our way further into the clump we needed to use bow saws to get at them, some of the branches were almost a foot thick.
Once we had run out of time to burn the rhododendrons we had some more games including a scavenger hunt. At 4:30pm we left Vogrie and headed back to New Parliament House.
William Lockwood, participant.
Coromonachan
Community Woodland, Argyll - 12-13th February 2005
Our first Green Team trip to the west coast and the beautiful atlantic oak woodlands of Argyll. We left on Friday evening at 6.30pm for the nearly 3 hour mini bus ride to Loch Goilhead. We didn't really know what it all looked like until we got up the next morning.
We were staying at the Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, all meals provided, and cleared some conifers from the community woodland. We had a good fire. This was nice because it was quite wet and even snowed a bit.
On Saturday night we had a drumming session and did a bit of archery. On Sunday we helped to plant a hedge in the grounds of the outdoor centre.
Muiravonside Country Park - 5-6th March 2005
When
all the Green Team gang and equipment has assembled around the minibus on the
morning of Saturday 5th March, the nine of us and four team leaders were hyped
up and ready to go. The journey to falkirk lasted about an hour (including getting
lost) but we eventually arrived at our night's accommodation beside the canal.
On arrival at Muiravonside Country Park we played the old classic 'Green Team name game' to get everyone in the mood for the hardcore work to follow. The ranger set the tasks - using spades and mattocks and sledge hammers (all very exciting) to build some steps. Taking a break from the hard work we embarked on an adventure up the 300 or so steps to a beautiful viaduct with great views.
Everyone got really stuck in to the dinner preparation in the evening, cooking scrummy spaghetti and apple crumble with custard to folow!!
Sunday's work involved rakes and spades, clearing the mud and leaves off the paths of the park. It didn't take too long so there was plenty of time for a great bonfire to roast bananas on before setting off home after a very enjoyable weekend.
Izzy Scott-Moncrieff, particpant
Craigmillar Castle Park - 20th March 2005
On Sunday 20th March a group of Green Teamers met up to go and do some woodland management in the young woodland at Craigmillar Castle Park. This included planting new trees and removing tubing from existing trees. Ready to go and plant the trees we noticed that there was one thing missing the trees. While the Ranger went off to try and find the missing trees, we headed off to the park. Having already played a name game, we did what we could without the trees. Half the group started taking tubing of existing trees and half started digging holes for the new trees.
Thankfully
the Ranger found the missing trees. She then talked to us about the importance
of Craigmillar Castle Park and also showed us how to plant the trees. Everyone
then set off to work either planting the trees or taking off tubing. We stopped
for lunch which everyone had been looking forward to after the toils of the morning.
We also played a couple of nature games in the woodland.
After lunch we carried on planting trees and taking tubing off. We had to separate all the tubing from the stakes so that they could be packed away properly. After everyone was sick of the sight of stakes and plastic tubing we cleared everything off, said goodbye to the Ranger and went to play a game of ultimate frisbee. We then roamed around Craigmillar Castle and headed back home after a very successful and enjoyable day at Craigmillar Castle Park.
Alison Hunter, participant
Hopetoun House - 10th April 2005
Sunday
10th of April saw us at Hopetoun House which is situated near Queensferry overlooking
the Firth of Forth. It is an extensive estate, part of which is used for farming.
The other section including the house is open to the public. Unfortunately there
has been a reduction in full time groundsmen, which is where we come in. The Green
Team came to help with stripping the ivy off trees so they look better and so
the groundsmen can see if they have any diseases etc. This involves cutting a
ring about a foot off the ground round the ivy on the tree. You then cut another
ring about two foot up from that, from where you have to pull off that section
of ivy. The rest of the ivy up the tree will then die off leaving the tree free.
This can sometimes be quite hard work when the ivy is as thick as your leg!
Our day began with a name game and "Crows and Buzzards". After this we were divided into groups to tackle different areas of the estate. After working on the trees for a few hours we met back up for a well earned lunch. After lunch we were given the task of testing an orienteering course for the Hopetoun House group (a group of 8-12 year-olds who come every weekend). My group did not start off very well, getting lost very soon, but we were directed on the right path by Nigel the Ranger. We managed to finish second and had to wait for the rest of the groups. After this we all got together to tackle the ivy in the car park. In the last hour we managed to get quite a few trees done before we had to finish. Altogether we got through a lot of trees and we all had a good time!
Nick Filipiak, participant
On
Sunday 15 May, the Green Team went to Gullane to work on the paths and cut back
sea buckthorn to let light into the smaller plants. First of all we played a name
game which was really fun and then we had the tool talk. After that, we spoke
to the ranger, who told us what we would be doing and where, and then we set to
work.
There were two groups: one went off to do path work and the other group started on the buckthorn, which was pretty straightforward once we got the hang of it but you had to look out - one or two of us got scratched. We cut with saws, then loppers and dragged the branches into piles to be burnt. It was a great day: hot and sunny and we all had to watch out for sunburn - tons of sun cream!
Before we knew it, it was lunchtime and after that, we had some fun on the beach rolling down the sand dunes. Then we swapped tasks. The pathwork group in the morning had made a good start - we carried on, widening the path and cutting back any overhanging vegetation.
About half past two we went back to join the others who were still working on the buckthorn and had made a big difference to the area. We joined them in the shelter they had made and discussed the John Muir Award. Ceris, one of the leaders, was delighted to receive her first Award. After some more fun and games on the beach, it was time to pack up. We were all exhausted but felt we had done a good job and really made a difference.
Moira Quinn and Sarah Allan, participants
Pentland Hills - 12th June 2005
The
day started damp and a bit cloudy as we met up in the car park at Thriepmuir Nature
Reserve so the four leaders wakened us up with a couple of name games before we
met Clare, the Ranger, and, with insect repellent applied, we went to see what
our tasks for the day were.
The twelve participants and leaders watched Clare’s demonstration of how to clear the channels and drains which fed into the reservoir, to stop them from overflowing in wet weather. We got digging, and the sun started to shine, cheering us up, and the morning’s other highlights included seeing the swans on the reservoir, and a frog discovered by Nick. When we had dug out the drains to a good depth, and made several mudpiles at the path’s edge, we headed back to the car park, hungry for our lunch.
We drove to the Keeper’s Hut visitor centre to eat lunch, where we were lucky to be able to shelter from the sudden hail shower, which Alan unfortunately was caught in- having gallantly volunteered to walk to the centre! After a quick look around the displays in the visitor room, we went to the edge of Harlaw Loch, to continue digging the drains and looking for pipes under the path to clear with the poles, and, wahey, the sun was back out! After this, we did a scavenger hunt, which wasn’t as easy as it looked – feathers and star moss were difficult to find! But after looking at the grids we had assembled, Nick told us all to go and find a ‘Sacred Space’ to explore for a few minutes. We divided up and everyone went their separate ways to discover a private spot, some people saw amazing wildlife, others enjoyed the view and sounds from their viewpoint.
Then one of the group showed us the skill of building a ground shelter for small animals or birds, out of sticks, earth and moss to use when it rains. Next we discussed the differences between the John Muir Award and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, before going back to the minibus, for a quick game of Ultimate Frisbee! The boys won in the end, but we were glad to get back to the comfy minibus to return to the Green Team office. After reviewing the day, everyone left to go home, tired but satisfied. It had been a good day.
Meadow's
Yard - 7th August 2005
After
yet another early wake-up call and a drive to Meadows Yard, local nature reserve,
it was time for yet another Green Team!
We started by being split into 3 groups, one burning rubbish wood in a fire, another clearing an area around small trees and the last picking up some of the litter. After a good mornings work of lots of litter collected and every sapling happy with a clear area round it, it was time for lunch.
At lunch we had an inspiring talk by Leon about the world, apples, percentages and how little land is fertile. It was also surprising to find out how eco-friendly everyone is! After lunch everyone joined in pulling up Fireweed. My excuse for not pulling up huge amounts of Fireweed was that I was under constant attack from certain people!
At the end of the day we had a bug hunt in which the most common 'bug' found was frogs... Andy also cannot catch butterflies to save himself! I think we made a positive impact on Meadows Yard and I myself have found yet another little green area in Edinburgh that I had no idea that ever existed!
Chris Filipiak, participant
River
Esk, Musselburgh - 21st August 2005
On the 21st August the Green Team went to the River Esk at Musselburgh to clear areas covered by invasive plant species alien to Scotland. The invasive species deny native plants the right conditions to live. The team consisted of 4 leaders, the ranger Richard and 9 participants (4 girls & 5 boys).
Richard introduced the project to clear Himalayan Balsam, which was brought here by plant hunters from abroad. We used loppers, slashers, grass hooks and our hands to cut back the Himalayan Balsam. We were very successful and cut a huge swathe of Balsam from the bank.
We also played the name
game, the number game, the tarpaulin game, Midge/Salmon/Wild cat and the lift
game. It was hard work but it was a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Andrew Small, participant
Almondell Country Park - 11th September 2005
|
We had a mid morning break and had a fascinating conversation about jaffa cakes. By lunchtime we'd finished our task so had plenty of time to explore and have fun. The highlight of the day was the fantastic collaboration of our inner thoughts in the form of a poem. We played some games before heading on a walk. We ended the day with a classic Green Team scavenger hunt, a story of the dragon named Fear and some Chewy and Crisp oatflake bars. All in all, a fun Green Team day. Fiona Beggs, participant |
Poetree Participants spent 15 minutes solo time in woods contemplating their surroundings and came up with the following group poem: Below the oaks,
the spiders lie in wait |
We
left New Parliament House at the usual, and ridiculously early, 9:30 and went
out Livingston-way. We pulled up at the Oakbank entrance to Almondell and Calderwood
Country Park and proceeded to climb a wee hill to admire the view. We played a
naming game, had a tool talk and were told how to protect ourselves against any
local inhabitants. The task of the day was to clear some steep railway sleeper
steps. They were pretty overgrown and thanks to some expert sheering by some of
us, they ended up squeaky clean. 
Water
of Leith - 25th September 2005
On Sunday 25th September the Green Team went to the Water of Leith to help clear up the banks and surrounding areas. To start off the day we went to the Water of Leith Heritage Centre and watched a slideshow on the type of animals and plants we might see by the river.
We then headed off to the site where we had to clear the Japanese Knotweed and on the way did some litter-picking. Also a few members were allowed to try and remove some graffiti off a wall. Only organic chemicals were used to remove the graffiti so as not to harm any of the rest of the environment. This was quite hard work but proved very effective in the end!
The rest of the group carried on to the knotweed site and spent the morning pulling up the weed and setting up a space for a bonfire. We then had lunch and played a few games (nature related of course!!). Then the afternoon was spent setting up a fire and then finally burning the actual knotweed. When we got the fire hot enough we toasted marshmallows over it, which were delicious! We then headed back to the Water of Leith Centre.
By the end of the day we were all very tired but had had a lot of fun as well as helping the environment. Overall, a great day out!
Luisa Brown, participant
Hopetoun House - 1-2 October 2005
| Redwood tree Tall squidgy greenness Hairy fuzzy octopus Solitary hollows Majestic towering spire Ow! |  |
Hermitage
of Braid - 16th October 2005
Another early Sunday morning and the Green Team were at the Hermitage of Braid on the 16th of October. After the traditional name game and tool talk we met the ranger. He told us how we would be cutting down whitebeam and sycamore trees to preserve the unimproved grassland that had existed there for 5,500 years. Then he demonstrated how to fell a tree: first cut the 'gob' on the side you want the tree to fall and then make the felling cut on the other side of the trunk. Next it was our turn, and with hard hats, gloves and saws we got to work. It was quite tough but by lunchtime we had felled 5 trees.
After that we walked to the woods to collect leaves and suchlike to use to decorate some frames which will be used for the ceilidh to celebrate 10 years of Green Team. Luckily the sun shone and we went to the Visitor Centre to artfully stick our collection or foliage onto the frames, in the process of which we managed to get glue in several places other than the frames!
It was a really good and fulfilling day, thanks.
Our journey started at New Parliament buildings at 9:30 where we soon left for Red Moss. On arriving there, we found out that Red Moss was a raised peat bog which is quite rare. The ranger took us around the bog on a boardwalk and he told us about some of the 150 species that lived in the bog including three types of heather and also a carnivorous plant. We soon realised we were in for a hard days work!
Our task was to cut down the birch trees which were obstructing the board walk and also because they were using up all the water in the bog which was drying up. We needed bow saws and big muscles to cut down the trees but we managed to cut down most of the birch obstructing the boardwalk just in time for lunch.
Lunch was rather short as it was absolutely freezing but after some sandwiches and a hot cup of tea we decided it was time to play a few games. One of the leaders had a quiz about the species that lived in the bog so we made up a game, jumping on and off the boardwalk and we learnt quite a bit about the species. We then tried to do a penguin race but that had to end when we broke part of the boardwalk from jumping too high!
After that we went back to work, this time lopping little birch twigs to stop them growing and using up the very valuable water. We lined up in a line and made our way over the bog, trying not to fall in the concealed holes! This was a difficult task because the birch was quite hard to spot as they were quite small and camouflaged. After an hour or so, our feet were like blocks of ice, we decided it was time for another hot drink. We cut down some more big birch trees in another area after our break. This was really hard work because the tree trunks were rather thick but we managed to cut down a big area which was covered in birch.
We decided to call it a day at about four and went for a walk around a reservoir. We split up into 2 teams whilst on the walk and did a scavenger hunt, trying to find lots of different species to fill our grids. We then came across a bird house and we sat and watched masses of geese fly over us. We soon returned to the minibus and came back home, our feet finally thawing and satisfied about having done a good days work!
Stefanie Alonzi, participant
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