GREENSPACE AND WOODLAND INITIATIVES MUST BENEFIT ALL

12.00.00am GMT Wed 12th Dec 2007

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s Scottish Parliament debate, Jim Hume MSP for the South of Scotland, has today spoken out on the health and community benefits of having access to quality greenspace and woodland areas.

Jim Hume said:-

“Everyone knows the link between good physical and mental health, and access to greenspace or woodland areas. Work has been undertaken in recent years by many forest trusts and community groups all over Scotland to make space available for recreational use.

“Wooplaw Community Woodland between Lauder and Galashiels is one such example. One of the first in the country, founded by the late great Tim Stead and many local enthusiasts – Tim is now buried in the wood at Wooplaw, and his work as a wood sculptor can be seen in the millennium clock in Chambers St museum in Edinburgh.

”This Woodland focuses on education, training, art, recreation, and the sustainable production of forest products. It provides a year round programme aimed at promoting woodland culture, the woods are available as a free venue for anyone to run events associated with music, arts, woodland skills, wildlife studies and other cultural studies, and is for the local community.

The MSP continued:-

“More needs to be done to make the most of greenspace and local authorities are in a good position to create core network paths in their areas. There’s also a great opportunity for using derelict land – this could be taken forward as part of community regeneration initiatives.

“Outdoor activity is good for mind, body and soul – Wooplaw Woods and similar projects are living proof of that.”