299 AUGUST 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

Next deadline - Friday 16th August
Gryffe Advertizer | www.advertizer.co.uk
Welcome to Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
It may well be the summer holidays but it doesn’t mean
that things get quieter for the Ranger Service here at
Clyde Muirshiel. The Rangers have been busy working
with the public to ensure everyone enjoys their visits to
the Park across all our sites.
At Lunderston Bay 37 members of the public joined
us in our regular beach cleans as part of the surveys
organised by the Marine Conservation Society. All in
all 14 bags weighing in at 14kg were collected. We
collected 1,935 items of rubbish, with almost 60% of
the items being plastic. If you are heading to the beach
why not do your bit and collect three items of rubbish
on your visit and hopefully we can help stem the tide on
pollution. At Muirshiel the Rangers have been helping
the 1st Old Kilpatrick Boys Brigade with their Queen’s
Award. The group have been helping with pathing
and clearing drainage ditches at Muirshiel, pulling
Himalayan Balsam at Castle Semple and litter picking
at Loch Thom. They carried out 6 full days volunteering
and have been great fun to work with in the short time
that we had them.
Wildlife wise we have been seeing lots of Goldenringed
Dragonflies patrolling around Muirshiel and the
Greenock Cut and our feeders have been busy with
fledgling birds.
The adult volunteer group and Community Networks
have also been busy filling in the avenue potholes yet
again as well as helping clear out our wood store.
We are still having problems at Castle Semple with
irresponsible visitors camping overnight and leaving
their mess behind them. There have been several
incidents of dogs chasing livestock with one local farmer
having to replace a run of fencing after his cattle were
chased into it by a dog, with several beasts sustaining
injuries. Please make sure you control your dogs if
near livestock.
We have been working on the route for our annual 10km
trail run, known affectionately as the ‘Bog Stomp’. It
takes place on Sunday 1st September along the tracks
and trails above the Greenock Cut, we would appreciate
as many online bookings as soon as possible. It only
costs £20 and you do get a buff and a medal - funds
raised go to Erskine.
More Info…
For details of activity courses and Ranger events
including Doors Open Day and guided walks please
look on our website www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk and or
follow us on social media. You can also email us at
rangers.castlesemple@clydemuirshiel.co.uk.
Details can be found on the Park’s website www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk/tag-n-track or by emailing rangers.
castlesemple@clydemuirshiel.co.uk or facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark
or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages and Instagram pages.
SINGING IN THE RAIN
One of the most arduous
tasks facing our Group every
summer is ensuring that all of
our plants get enough water.
This year, we’ve invested in
new hosereels; lighter, more
portable and more hardwearing than we’ve had
in the past. And thanks to several residents
and businesses throughout the village, we have
access to some strategically located water
outlets. Things are a wee bit easier now.
Our planters need to be watered even if it’s
been raining. That’s because the plants
growing in them are not in direct contact with
the ground. All of the street planters, barrier and
post-baskets have reservoirs holding between
50 - 200 litres (11 - 45 gallons) of water. In
summer, when the plants are at their best, they
form an ‘umbrella’ that prevents rainwater from
reaching the soil in the containers. We’ve got
to go out and top up the reservoirs to ensure
that the roots get water. So if you see us out
watering before, after or sometimes even during
rain, you’ll know why.
Another cue for a song is that it seems our
proposed Heritage Garden, part-funded by
the Bridge of Weir Historical Society, has
emerged from the maze that is the Council’s
legal department. There’s been a few ‘t’s to be
crossed and ‘i’s dotted (or was it the other way
round) but there is now a glimmer of light at the
end of the tunnel.
BoW Horticultural Society
Looking forward to the Flower Show on Saturday
31st August? The venue will be the Primary
School in Warlock Road and doors will open at
12.15pm. All classes are open to everyone, not
just members. You can still get a Show Schedule
from Show Secretary, Anne on 01505 228625.
Entries can be brought in on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Short entry forms are then completed and entries placed on the
benches for judging. All you need to know is in the Schedule.
The Show has been updated to reflect current trends so, if you
are growing something new or are just pleased with your plants
or produce, why not share and enter these in the Show?
By now, pumpkin growers should be seeing yellow fl owers on
their plants and, hopefully, small pumpkins are forming. These
are thirsty creatures so keep them well watered and add tomato
fertiliser for a boost.
In addition to Show preparations, gardeners are busy
responding to this changeable summer. Opinions are divided
over watering plants during hot, dry periods but young bedding
will wilt without some TLC and so will shallow rooted plants,
e.g., rhododendrons. When plants are stressed their leaves will
droop. They will respond better to a good drench rather than
short bursts. Planters and hanging baskets need extra vigilance:
check the water is not running off the leaves and over the edges
and direct water under leaves and around the roots. Sprinklers
should be directed over plants in shade, giving a light spray for a
long time. Wet flowers and leaves will burn in the sun and buds
will suffer “budding” which is when outer petals dry and harden,
leaving the flower trapped inside. If these are peeled back and
the petals teased open, the flower may recover.
See you on the 31st!
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