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March 26, 2008

Canal-side communities lend a hand

The reopening of the Forth and Clyde Canal is intended to bring major regeneration benefits to the communities it passes through. The relationship between local people and their environment is often transformed as a result of folk becoming physically involved in making improvements to it. A new nature trail and sensory garden has been created

LPL

Over 100 local folk got their hands well and truly dirty recently when they helped The Waterways Trust Scotland plant 12,000 trees and shrubs at the sensory garden and nature trail at Auchinstarry Basin on the Forth and Clyde Canal, near Croy.

People of all ages, including nursery children from Holy Cross Primary school, pupils from Bartholomew’s Primary School and Coatbridge Primary School, employees from Royal Bank of Scotland and members of the public from Kilsyth, Linlithgow, Paisley and Edinburgh, turned out to complete this mammoth task.

This project is part of British Waterways Scotland’s and the Trust’s plan to transform the environment surrounding the canal basin on the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Alison Morrison, Development Officer for The Waterways Trust Scotland, said: “Through all our projects we like to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in improving the environment around their local canal. Once complete, the sensory garden and nature trail will be a real attraction for people from across the area. It is absolutely fantastic so many of them will be coming along to lend a hand.”

The trees and shrubs have been specially chosen for their smells, textures and colours. Together they will tantalise the senses, bringing the sensory garden and nature trail to life.