Garvald Woodland Project
The site
Garvald House is situated near Biggar in the Scottish Borders and consists of a large main house with a number of converted outbuildings. It also has a number of acres of land, a large portion of which is made up of woodland. Garvald is a residential unit that provides both accommodation and support services for adults with learning disabilities. It is a voluntary organization that has charitable status.
The project
The bulk of the management and improvement of the grounds is undertaken by the residents themselves. However, Garvald also relies on the help of volunteer groups for some work that, for reasons relating to physical disability or just time constraints, residents are unable to carry out. Garvald would currently benefit from help with the following projects:
Rhododendron
clearance
The residents have already cleared rhododendron (an invasive species
that damages the woodland ecology) from a large area as part of
the restoration of the woodland, but could now use some help with
a new area.
Footpath Creation and Improvement
A series of footpaths have been constructed through the woodland
to the top of a hill where there are beautiful views across the
Scottish Borders towards the town of Biggar. The main path requires
a thick layer of bark chip to be laid to prevent weeds getting
established. In addition, a short section of new footpath needs
to be built with wooden edging, so that less physically able residents
can bi-pass a very steep part of the woodland.
