A devoted group of naturalists from West Lothian are celebrating evolving from a WhatsApp group right into a registered Scottish charity.
Easter Breich Wooden Group Group (EBWCG) is now the proprietor of Easter Breich Wooden, a 19-hectare woodland located close to West Calder and Seafield, bordered by the River Almond and the Breich Water.
The woodland is regularly used for strolling, biking, working and horse- using by native folks, and is dwelling to a various vary of wildlife.
The paths that move by way of the woodland are a part of the Shale Path, which is a 25km route from West Calder to Winchburgh, commemorating West Lothian’s shale mining heritage.
In summer season 2020, throughout the pandemic, a on the market signal appeared on the entrance to the woodland close to Oakbank Cottages from house owners Inexperienced Motion Belief (GAT).
A gaggle of neighbours arrange a WhatsApp group to see what they might do and so the Easter Breich Wooden Steering Group was fashioned.
Via early discussions inside the steering group, it turned clear the group didn't wish to see the woodland bought to a brand new non-public proprietor, and so started their journey to buy the woodland on behalf of the encompassing local people.
Later in 2020, the steering group secured preliminary funding from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) to hold out a feasibility examine with the assistance of consultants Group Enterprise to discover the group’s purpose to purchase the woodland.
EBWCG additionally turned a Scottish Charitable Voluntary Organisation (SCVO).
In June 2021, the group organised a espresso and cake fundraising occasion on the woodland, to boost cash and to fulfill with and share the group’s funding utility progress with native folks.
Quickly after the occasion, the steering group submitted the Stage 2 funding utility to the SLF for consideration at their committee assembly later in the summertime/early autumn.
In September 2021, the group went from a voluntary affiliation to type a registered Scottish charity (SCIO) and mounted a marketing campaign by way of electronic mail and social media to register as many members of the local people as doable as supporters.
In addition they gained the help of native councillors and Members of the Scottish Parliament. The group was overwhelmed with the quantity of help, with round 300 native residents becoming a member of within the weeks and months that adopted.
Later in September 2021, the Stage 2 funding utility was permitted, which means EBWCG secured funds to buy Easter Breich Wooden on behalf of the group.
Since then, the group have carried out authorized and conveyancing issues referring to the wooden with the intention to full the acquisition from earlier house owners, GAT. Niamh Coyne stated: “Easter Breich Wooden Group Group wish to prolong their because of every one that has supported the group throughout the utility course of, and we hope you proceed to benefit from the magnificence, peace and wildlife the woodland has to supply the local people.
“We're so grateful to WCHDT for all their assist and help thus far, and we stay up for working intently with the belief within the coming months to coordinate administration of the woodland and host volunteer days and occasions.”
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