Programme:

A

Project title:

Alva Glen

Project code:

A2.3 and A3.3

Action

Why is it needed?

(risk/significance)

Comment

Creation of a ‘sensory’ garden for children and visually impaired users

1. Establish a design and a planting plan
2. Purchase necessary materials and construct the garden
3. Purchase or otherwise obtain species identified in the planting plan and plant in garden
4. Volunteers will design, produce and install appropriate information boards
5. Publicise garden to targeted local groups

The glen is a beautiful place, but access and enjoyment of some areas of it is limited to the able-bodied.  The sensory garden will help to “bring the upper glen to the lower glen”.  This will open up the glen to all groups of people, whether blind, deaf of in a wheelchair.

The beds will be planted up with plants from the upper glen, plus plants with either a food use or a historic commercial application – such as plants used in the historic dyeing and milling industries in Alva.

Please give more information:

- where?

The most easily accessed possibilities (which also have sufficient light) include two small areas adjacent to the car park. One of these areas would require existing cornus shrubs to be removed. Photos of both areas are provided (nos 1 and 2).

- Treated timber boards will be used to create a raised bed. A gravel base layer (to assist drainage) would be topped by a top soil/compost mix.

- preferred material?

Wooden raised bed, with a variety of plants sourced from environmentally sustainable supplies.

- quantity?

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Continue conservation work to restore areas of the glen to high biodiversity value; provide additional habitat, plant native species

We have been working to enhance the biodiversity of the glen since our inception in 2004, and have dramatically improved the environment in the glen.  This includes planting native trees and plants and removing non-native species.  We’d like to continue this work, which requires funding for tools and materials and to train volunteers to work safely.

Please give more information:

- where?

In whole glen

- what?

Continue tree clearance and planting trees.

- preferred material?

-          quantity?

-          Some equipment (£1,000 worth) and £1,500 to spend on plant and trees each year. 

-           

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Research and survey lade.  The initial plan would be to research and document the structures, with a longer-term aim of (ideally) restoring, or at least preserving them.  This could be associated with the generation of hydropower.

1. Volunteers will use internet and local resources to research the weaving industry in Alva Glen paying particular attention to built structures of the time.
2. The Lade, probably one of the last remaining examples of such industrial structures, will be cleared, examined and photographed. Structural details and finds of interest will be documented.
3. Using the information obtained above volunteers will design, produce and install an appropriate information board in collaboration with an identified local business.

Note: Depending on the outcome, professional work to repair the lade may be required. This isn’t costed above, although if needed will provide an opportunity to train local volunteers in heritage restoration techniques.

The glen was the main source of power for the many mills that defined Alva.

We wish to preserve and “display” the lade (a key part of this industrial heritage).  This could also lead to sustainable power generation, using the burn to power small-scale hydro turbines.

Please give more information:

- where?

The lade is situated on the eastern side of the burn about 50m from the small bridge at the entrance to the lower glen

- what?

The lade is the remains of a construction used to channel the water supply back into the burn after it has driven a water wheel. The remains of the associated mill structure are also present. A photo (no3) is provided

- preferred material?

- quantity?

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

The information board provided will follow the style of others we have provided in the lower glen (see photo no. 4)

Establishment of some more colourful planting to provide greater year round interest for visitors

Please give more information:

- where?

There are few areas in the lower glen that have sufficient light for planting. We have created beds (photo no. 5) near the waterfall viewpoint and intend to extend them towards the ‘Rose bridge’. Some ‘spot planting’ will also be carried out.

- what?

Plants providing year round colour will be used. Discussions with Development & Environmental Services have taken place

- preferred material?

-          quantity?

-          £1,000 per year to spend on plants and associated materials.

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Upgrading pathways to improve general safety and assist visitors with mobility problems. 

1. Conduct a survey assessing the condition of existing paths in the lower glen.  

The initial survey will be made by volunteers and further work carried out by professional surveyors at an approximate cost of £2000. 

1. Some sections will be repaired by volunteers (AGHT has a pool of volunteers who have attended relevant courses). 
2. Quotes will be sought for repairing sections for which the use of volunteers is considered unsuitable. 
3. Carry out repair work. 

The glen is difficult to access in some areas, due to poorly maintained paths.

This part of the project would enhance the path network, enabling more people to visit and enjoy the glen, while improving their fitness.

Please give more information:

- where?

Pathways in the lower and upper glen

- what?

Work will be carried out to improve safety (see photo 6 as an example of where such work is needed) and to improve access for those with mobility problems

- preferred material?

Locally-sourced materials.  Some dry stane dyking would also be needed; we have a quote for this of £11,000

- quantity?

Further work would be needed to define the extent of the work.  Approximately 800m of path needs to be enhanced.

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

See Consultants report

Improving lighting and security in order to encourage safe use of the area at all times (see separate project; lighting proposal)

Please give more information:

- where?

See separate project

- what?

- preferred material?

- quantity?

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Provision of suitable artworks around the lower Glen to provide additional interest and a display case for local talent

Public art is an important way for people to think about and interact with their local environment.  We have already commissioned some public art (chainsaw sculptures) and we are keen that other public art is installed.

Please give more information:

- where?

Close to footpaths in the lower glen

- what?

To date two items of wood sculpture have been positioned  in this area (see photo 7 as an example). 

- preferred material?

Wood mainly – but others considered on their merit

- quantity?

Perhaps 10 in time, at an average cost of £500.

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Provision of ‘Science Discovery’ exhibits to encourage learning

A citizen science theme could be employed, with some exhibits helping to explain how the world works – such as xylophones or parabolic dishes to show sound transference

Please give more information:

- where?

In open areas of the lower glen probably near existing interpretation panels

- what?

Further work is needed, but simple exhibits like xylophones and a hand operated water fountain for children to operate

- preferred material?

- quantity?

5, at an average cost of £1,000

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Replacement of benches in upper glen

Enhancement of benches in the upper glen

Benches to sit on are needed, at an average cost of £600.  Four are required.

Maps and photographs to support information

Provision of additional interpretation boards to foster the understanding of local history and environment

AGHT has already installed (designed and part-funded) interpretation panels in the glen.  Without wanting a rash of signage, we want to help people to understand and appreciate the glen’s history and biodiversity.

Please give more information:

- where?

In both lower and upper glen adjacent to areas or structures of interest

- what?

To include explanation of water erosion, water flow control methods, wildlife to watch out for etc

- preferred material?

To follow same format and construction as existing panels

- quantity?

Perhaps 3 or 4

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

New technologies (downloadable guides, podcasts, geocahing, talking interpretative panels) to be considered

Volunteer input

Please give more information:

Alva Glen Heritage Trust has around 40 members. A small but dedicated core have regularly worked in the glen on similar projects. Occasionally external volunteer help is enlisted.  Our staff get training as appropriate, and more training would be useful.

Community liaison - open meeting

Learning

Please give more information:

Training

Please give more information:

Additional actions

Please give more information:

- where?

- what?

- preferred material?

- quantity?

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Programme:

A

Project title:

Alva Glen

Project code:

A3.3

Action

Why is it needed?

(risk/significance)

Comment

Improve the provision of lighting

Lighting is needed for two reasons; to make the annual illuminations event more sustainable (reducing the effort to the volunteers who stage the illuminations) and also to encourage use of the glen after daylight hours – especially useful for dog walkers and to encourage activities for a healthy life.

Please give more information:

- where?

The lower glen

Feature lighting would be required to illuminate the waterfall and other scenic parts of the glen

- what?

Employ the services of an outdoor lighting consultant to look at ways in which permanent and temporary lighting could be provided

Consideration should be given to the installation of permanent low energy floor level safety lighting

- preferred material?

Lighting should be mains powered or, if feasible, hydro powered

- quantity?

Sufficient to light the glen – lighting will be subtle.

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Volunteering

Training

Our volunteers are trained through the AGHT: we’d like to maintain and increase this training.

Please give more information:

- where?

The illuminations is entirely run and staffed by volunteers; we provide training to our volunteers so they can put the lighting up.   Some element of this would have to continue in the glen.

- what?

Opportunities to install, maintain and improve  lighting

- preferred material?

? volunteering material? 

- quantity?

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Interpretation

We have already installed interpretation boards to help people to engage with the glen; these have been very well received and haven’t been vandalised!

We’d like one extra  board to help explain the history and importance of the illuminations.  This could use more innovative technology such as pod-casts.

Please give more information:

- where?

Near car park in lower glen

- what?

Board detailing history of illuminations and their cultural relevance.

- preferred material?

Of a similar design to other interpretation boards already provided by AGHT

- quantity?

One

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Access

Lighting will encourage use of glen during dark winter evenings

Please give more information:

- where?

Around the circular path starting from and returning to the entrance of the lower glen

- what?

Subtle low-level lighting, to encourage walking in the glen and not encourage anti-social behaviour.

- preferred material?

- quantity?

100 lights, sited at 50 m intervals.

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate

Additional actions identified:

Please give more information:

- where?

- what?

- preferred material?

- quantity?

Please provide maps and/or photographs where appropriate ???