30 To place editorial email [email protected]
if you go down to the woods today…
wildlife
If you go down into Lainshaw woods today,
there is much more to see than first meets the
eye. Even in the bare bones of winter, small
birds as elusive as Goldcrests or Long tailed tits,
dart. Down on Fisherman’s path, you might be
lucky enough to see deer, foxes or even otters.
More commonly, herons can be sighted in the
river Annick, and squirrels chase each other up
the Beech trees on Anderson’s Mount.
history
From Fisherman’s path, beyond the turf which
once sported a football pitch, there’s a good
view of Lainshaw House. Built in the 1800s, it
was once owned by the powerful Cunningham
family and then used as an internment camp in
the Second World War. From the roof, where
apparently the Cunninghams once awaited the
Second Coming, they’d have seen the river once
lined with mills for Stewarton’s busy weaving
community. They may even have watched the
building of the viaduct in 1868 which now
graces the skyline.
stewarton woodland action trust’s work
According to Brian our founding SWAT member,
15 years ago, only children played in Lainshaw
woods. Some of the area was fenced off and no path
existed. Only since 2004, has it become a welcome
green space. Follow the path that winds its way up
Anderson’s mount (the old coach road), up to the
Plantation, and you will find a well maintained path,
wildlife panels, planted trees and spring flowers,
benches, bird boxes, dog poo bag dispensers and bins.
Come rain or shine, thanks to the sustained efforts of
past and present members, Japanese Knotweed and
Giant Hogweed are rare, the woods are scoured for
litter, the river dredged for junk, fallen trees managed.
Behind the scenes, applications for funding are
laboured over, income toiled for, meetings held, and
complex decisions made.
Lainshaw woods harbours biodiversity. We at
SWAT treasure this local woodland, and want
to protect it so that you can enjoy it too. I can
think of no better way of helping our planet
nowadays than by contributing to the area you
live in. Why not give it a go?
Our youngest member is 15; our oldest 82,
everyone is welcome.
ReFresh
Dentist & Facial
Aesthetics Practitioner
STE
WA
RT
CLU
Facial aesthetics
by Fiona
ON GOLF
Are you looking
to take up golf
or get back into
the game?
Stewarton Golf Club are affiliated to Caprington Golf
Course. We play our medals on a Sunday morning and
also a Thursday medal during the summer months.
We also have two outings per year as well as compete in
Ayrshire competitons allowing you the chance to play
some of Ayrshire’s finest courses.
Refresh • Renew • Rejuvenate
Wrinkle relaxing treatments from £150
Dermal fillers from £120
Free no obligation consultation
T: 01560 483693 M: 07884 008040
E: [email protected]
17 Gilmour Street, Stewarton KA3 5AZ
Ne
Mem w
bers
£30
Half P
ri
Offer ce
If you are interested and for further information
please email [email protected]