Kilsyth pond plan could help wildlife

A proposal to create a new bog garden and pond at Auchinstarry Basin has been submitted for public voting on RBS’s community force website and if the plans are selected, £6000 will be splashed out on the initiative.

Charity group the Waterways Trust Scotland has been working with people living in Kilsyth and Croy to further develop gardens and nature trails at Auchinstarry.

Karen Moore, development director for the Waterways Trust Scotland, said: “The new wetland habitat would provide a fantastic learning opportunity for school children and the community.

“It would complement the existing sensory garden and nature trail and help attract more wildlife to the site including damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies along with frogs, toads and newts.”

RBS Community Force is a new initiative which sees the banking group working to support local projects.

The bog garden and pond will compete for funding against a number of projects on the bank’s website. Voting began this week and will continue until Sunday, October 23. Votes can be cast on-line at www.communityforce.rbs.co.uk/project/482.

Kilsyth Community Council chairman Scott Johnson said: “We would support the creation of the wetland area at Auchenstarry Basin.

“It would complement the sensory garden and add to the overall strategy for recreation leisure and promotion of the natural environment in the Kelvin Valley.”