SPRING 2009 NEWSLETTER

We are now approaching the end of March and have been treated to our usual mixture of spring weather. One week we think it is getting warmer and the next we return to our usual mixture of blustery showers and cold winds. Let us hope April will bring some warmer settled days.

Following the AGM in November I have to thank all those who kindly attended, to the Trustees who have agreed to serve for a further term, and to the Burgh Halls for their assistance. I would also welcome our new Trustees and thank them for agreeing to serve. Our thanks go to Anne Mearns, who has stepped down after giving us such great support. She worked tirelessly to hand over a framework to enable future office bearers to provide good governance and we are extremely grateful to her for all that she achieved.

You will be aware of two major changes in the Park. Firstly, the vegetation has had a drastic haircut! This may appear to be somewhat severe but it will fill out and grow again and by lowering the height, greater security has been achieved for those using the pathways.

The pond level has been lowered to enable the debris to be removed and the inlet pipes checked. There was some delay as a new key had to be made but it would appear that the water flowing into the pond is of an acceptable nature. New planting of submerged vegetation will take place shortly as these are essential to oxygenate the water and provide food and habitat for aquatic animals and food for water birds such as coot.

Please don’t feed the wildlife! We would ask that bread and other foodstuffs are not left by the pond or thrown into the water. It encourages additional gulls to the area and in particular the black-backed gulls who kill the ducklings and other young chicks, as they also are tempted to the bread.

Following the successful Ready Steady Grow Event as part of Pride of Polloksheilds last summer, The Friends will be running a similar event this year but on SUNDAY
7TH JUNE. It is hoped to have a plant sale and tearoom in the Loggia of the Burgh Halls and any donations of baking and plants will be most welcome. Please phone
(0141 423 0734) or email friendsofmaxwellpark@hotmail.co.uk if you can help.
The date will be a better time of year for planting so please keep cuttings and any extra plants you may have.

We hope to have organisations related to biodiversity with us again this year and also an opportunity for our younger users to participate.

In the early summer we hope to run an outing to the Scottish Plant Collectors Garden at Pitlochry – a Mecca for plant enthusiasts with species from all over the world and in particular the Himalayas. The garden is built on wooded hillside above the Festival Theatre on 6. 5 acres and consists of a series of gardens illustrating the contribution that a selection of eighteen Scottish plant hunters have made over the centuries. More information regarding date and costs will follow shortly.

If you would like to join us please download the application form and if you would like to help out on the 7th June, please contact 0141 423 0734.

We look forward to a successful year in Maxwell Park!

Sarah Melville