At Hoprigshiels there are three wind turbines currently
being constructed to allow affordable housing to be built in the Berwickshire
area. The project has been in development by Berwickshire Community Renewables
for years and finally got the go ahead earlier this year. There is a range of ‘habitat enhancement works’ that were
undertaken as a part of the project. One such component of the works was a
native woodland comprised of three compartments planted on a nearby farm (close
to Oldhamstocks, East Lothian). The woodland had a very specific design as it
had a number of purposes; improving the habitat for wildlife, creating shelter
for sheep on the hill and to provide a visual screen between the conservation
village of Oldhamstocks and the wind
turbines’ rotating blades.
The newly planted John Bruce Elliott wood. |
Sadly John Bruce Elliot passed away in April 2015. John was
a long-time friend and supporter of Borders Forest Trust and chairman of Berwickshire
Housing Association (BHA). He was also for many years a Councillor with
Scottish Borders Council and Chair of the Berwickshire Area Committee. He was
very much an outdoor person and an active member of the Duns Walkers and
Berwickshire branch of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.
The community renewables project was a long term vision of
John’s and it was decided by the project coordinators that the woodland planted
as a part of the project would be named the ‘John Bruce Elliott Wood’, a
fitting tribute.
Pleasant words and memories being shared by colleagues, family and friends |
On November 4th myself and David Long (BFT
trustee and friend of John Elliott) attended the naming ceremony which started
at the Oldhamstocks village hall and was very well attended by John’s
colleagues, friends and family.
John's daughter planting a Scots Pine in John's memory |
We all then headed to the new woodland and were greeted with
a beautiful view of the coast and pleasant, crisp weather.
A toast and a fitting speech were given. |
A few words were said by John’s colleagues and daughter who
then revealed a beautiful wooden plaque carved by a local craftsman. A tree
(Scots pine) was then planted and glasses raised in Johns memory.
The plaque which now stands among the trees in the new woodland. |
It was a privilege to represent BFT in such a positive way
and to coordinate the planting of a woodland that improves local woodland
habitat connectivity and provides such strong ties to the local community.
Alasdair Fagan
Woodland Habitats Officer
Alasdair Fagan
Woodland Habitats Officer