The Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group (HCLNR) have been an important stakeholder in the development of the Claypits Local Nature Reserve. They have represented the local community throughout the development of the site.
The site was identified in 2015 as having the potential to support sustainable regeneration and connect areas that were poorly served by quality greenspace at the time.
Since the opening of the site in July 2021, HCLNR have hosted over 150 activities, events and programmes, in arts, heritage, nature, environment, education, as well as health & wellbeing.
Bob Alston vice chair of Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve Management Group, said:
It has made such a difference here, because we’re in a bad area of Glasgow, and it doesn’t have a good name. They said that we’d have all kinds of problems, but we communicated to the people, and asked them what they wanted. And we have it here.
We have very little vandalism. We have very little litter. We have a litter pick every third Sunday, and our biggest problem is finding litter, and that’s the truth. The people in the area who come here, look after it, day, night, afternoon, it’s a good place, and the community has been great.
As well as the litter picks that take place every 3rd Sunday the group also carries out a variety of path maintenance tasks to ensure that the network of shared use paths throughout the site remain fit for purpose. Our Community Path Team have delivered path maintenance training with the group, equipping them with the skills they need to carry out basic path maintenance tasks.
They also delivered a training session on carrying routine path condition surveys, so that the condition of paths and associated infrastructure can be monitored and allow the group to plan their maintenance tasks effectively.
The group was also successful in applying for funding to our Community Path Grants. They received a grant of £1500 allowing them to purchase the tools and equipment that they need to carry out the maintenance tasks.
Tim Collins, Secretary, said:
Here people have a real sense of ownership, pride, and respect and they just love being here.
Reiko Goto, Board Member, added:
We have landowners, but it feels owned by the community. You feel it, how they talk to us, and come to pick up litter. They really care about it and feel like it’s their place. We receive the energy back from the community.
Last year, our Community Paths team awarded £25,000 worth of Community Path Grants to 18 groups across Scotland who have transformed neglected parts of their local path networks. Our Community Paths and Community Paths Active Travel Grants are supported by NatureScot, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government.
Visit the Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve website for more information on their activities.