Ten students from Broughton High School this afternoon helped CEC Park Ranger Jennifer Johnstone (pictured) plant hundreds of snowdrop and bluebell bulbs in the grass at the west end of the Rocheid Path. It may look like slave labour to you, but to them it is a practical component of their Environmental Studies course.
Some 20 pupils from Edinburgh Academy took a turn last week, planting the first of around 20,000 bulbs which, once in the ground, should begin spreading across the area without further human intervention.
Also present were members of the newly constituted Friends of the Rocheid Path group. They hope to bring local experience and enlightened self-interest to the tasks of holding Council officials and contractors responsible for restoring the popular wooded area’s former beauty, and, if anything, improving it.
The path is currently much disturbed by intrusive flood prevention works on the Glenogle Road side of the bank. Numerous items of heavy plant grind away all day, with the sound of birdsong either absent or inaudible.
If you would like further information or fancy helping, the Friends of the Rocheid Path can arrange to get you a bag of bulbs for planting at whatever time suits you. Email: therocheidpath@gmail.com.
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