Forth Environment Link
Register Now for GrowFORTH!
Come celebrate local food at GrowFORTH – a local food summit being hosted by Low Carbon Stirling. The summit is an opportunity for anyone interested in local sustainable food to come together to share experiences, interests, ideas and to create opportunities.
Mike Small from the Fife Diet (http://www.fifediet.co.uk/) is the keynote speaker. There will be interactive stalls in the GrowFORTH market place, and discussion tables for people to explore food related topics and to learn from existing projects. The event will feature local food through Forth Valley College’s ‘catering@thecampus’. There will be a Kids’ Corner so that children have an opportunity to share their ideas about food, as well as a Funders Corner so that participants can learn about potential funding sources for food projects. The event promises to be an exciting opportunity for food lovers to learn from and network with others.
We will be also celebrating the Forth Valley Orchards Initiative achievements of the past year, ‘Orchards, People and Place: our heritage and engaging communities’.
The Forth Valley Orchards’ display will include:
- the Forth Valley Orchards’ Group
- Certificate in Orchard Management Course with Elmwood College
- the Forth Valley Orchard Workshop Programme 2011/2012
- Central Scotland Green Network Orchard Grant Scheme 2011/2012
- Forth Valley Orchard’s day
- Forth Valley Scrumpers Network
- information about the economic study 'Study of the Economic Potential of Forth Valley’s Orchard Resource'
- Apple juicing
- box of orchard resources available for loan
Places for the event are limited – so book early! The registration form is available or www.lowcarbonstirling.com or contact Carron at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 07715 773 660. Download the promotional flyer here.
The event is on Saturday, February 25th from 10 am to 2 pm at Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, and is organised by Forth Environment Link.
We hope to see you at the event!
Save the Date for Grow Forth!
Anyone interested in any aspect of local food in the Stirling area is being invited to ‘Save the Date’ for a Local Food Summit to take place in Stirling in February.
Low Carbon Stirling, a partnership between Stirling Council and Going Carbon Neutral Stirling, is hosting Grow Forth! - a local food summit celebrating and connecting all the groups, organisations and individuals involved/interested in local food projects, growing their own produce, minimising food waste, buying local and sustainability.
This is your chance to meet others, to share knowledge and ideas and to be inspired!
The event is being organised by Forth Environment Link.
The summit will take place on Saturday 25 February 2012, from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm, in the Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling.
It will be highly interactive with inspirational talks and presentations on local projects and with local food to sample over lunch. There will be stands and stalls where you can find out about local food and related issues and how to get involved; there will also be themed discussions on a broad range of topics and great opportunities for idea sharing.
The event is free and open to anyone interested in any aspect of local food.
Please put the date in your diary and spread the word!
If you would like to take a stand to tell people more about a local food project that you are involved with, or support your organisation can offer then please just get in touch. Space is limited so don’t delay.
To book a stand or to be kept up to date as the plans for the event unfold, please send your email contact details to our event coordinator Carron on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 07715 773660.
Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you think may be interested – it is open to groups and individuals from Stirling and surrounding areas whether you are already involved in a food project or have not yet got started!
Forth Environment Link is Recruiting Volunteer Board Members
FEL is looking for non-executive directors to sit on its management board to provide strategic governance and oversight to the organisation.
Forth Valley Orchards Training Programme
We are pleased to announce the launch of the Forth Valley Orchard Training Programme for 2011/2012, which has been funded by the Central Scotland Green Network development fund 2011.
These workshops are free but residents of Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling areas will be given priority booking. Places are limited to 15 per event so please book early to avoid disappointment. Once booked, if the events are cancelled due to weather, disease or pestilence, then we will let you know in good time.
Venues and dates may be subject to change, but we will keep you informed after booking if any changes are made. Details of the programme are attached.
TRAINING EVENTS (Pre-booking essential)
WORKSHOP 1 & 2 have already taken place.
WORKSHOPS 3 & 4—WINTER PRUNING (Falkirk)
Sunday, 20 November & Saturday 3 December 2011, 11.00 am—3.00 pm
Venue: Howkerse Farm, Falkirk
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
Routine and restorative pruning for apple and pear trees is demonstrated, discussed and debated before participants are let loose with pruning tools and learn the practicalities of this essential orchard task. Please bring along tools if possible. Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 5—HARVEST –WAYS TO PRESERVE & COOK WITH FRUIT GLUTS (Stirling)
Saturday, 10 December 2011, 10.00 am—3.30 pm
Venue: Reading Room, Blairlogie, Stirling
Leader: Margaret Lear, Plants with Purpose
Faced with a fruit mountain? Learn which varieties will store—and how—and try out some imaginative new ways of converting and keeping those which don’t, including preserves, baking, cider-making and recipe swap, in this practical workshop. Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 6—PLANNING & PLANTING NEW ORCHARDS (Falkirk)
Saturday, 14 January 2012, 11.00 am—3.00 pm
Venue: Falkirk (to be confirmed)
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
This workshop will combine orchard planning and management including how to look after the sward, with practical planting and establishment techniques, including training as espalier, fan or cordon. It is hoped to combine a practical orchard planting project with the course.
Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 7—WINTER PRUNING (Stirling)
Sunday, 22 January 2012, 11.00 am—3.00 pm
Venue: Reading Room, Blairlogie, Stirling
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
Routine and restorative pruning for apple and pear trees is demonstrated, discussed and debated before participants are let loose with pruning tools and learn the practicalities of this essential orchard task. Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 8 — FRUIT TREE PROPAGATION BY GRAFTING (Stirling) NOW FULL
Saturday, 4 February 2012, 11.00 am—3.00 pm
Venue: Easter Poldar Farm, Stirling
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
The theory and practice of a range of grafting methods will be covered in this hands-on workshop, from creating new trees to rejuvenating and rescuing old ones. Participants may bring a scion of a fruit tree they wish to propagate, and rootstocks will be available. Bring a suitable knife – care of tools will be covered. Numbers limited. Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 9—WINTER PRUNING (Stirling) SPACES STILL AVAILABLE!
Saturday, 11 February 2012, 11.00 am—3.00 pm
Venue: Easter Poldar Farm, Stirling
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
Routine and restorative pruning for apple and pear trees is demonstrated, discussed and debated before participants are let loose with pruning tools and learn the practicalities of this essential orchard task. Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 10—PLANNING & PLANTING NEW ORCHARDS (Stirling) NOW FULL
Sunday, 12 February 2012, 11.00 am—3.00 pm
Venue: Plean Country Park, Stirling
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
This workshop will combine orchard planning and management including how to look after the sward, with practical planting and establishment techniques, including training as espalier, fan or cordon. It is hoped to combine a practical orchard planting project with the course. Refreshments available. Local Community has priority booking.
WORKSHOP 11—PEST, DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF FRUIT TREES (Falkirk) SPACES STILL AVAILABLE!
Saturday, 10 March 2012, 6.30 pm—8.30 pm
Venue: Falkirk (to be confirmed)
Leader: Andrew Lear, Orchard Consultant
A close look at the types of organisms and conditions that can cause fruit trees to fail or become unproductive. This is a hands-on workshop, with plenty of opportunities to look at the problems in situ and learn to recognise major symptoms. Participants can bring along samples to identify; a hand lens or magnifying glass would be useful too. Refreshments available.
WORKSHOP 12—BLOSSOM, BEES & BIODIVERSITY(Stirling) NOW FULL
Sunday, 11 March 2012, 11.00 am—4.00 pm
Venue: Reading Room, Blairlogie, Stirling
Leader: Catherine Lloyd
Planning orchards with wildlife in mind? This workshop will look the wide-ranging biodiversity to be found in orchards. There will be a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, and an expert will be on-hand to help you hone your surveying skills. Refreshments available.
Please bring warm clothes, outdoor shoes/boots, and a packed lunch. For pruning workshops, please bring secateurs if you have them, or a suitable knife for the grafting workshop.
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You can download a booking form and a programme from the link below.
Booking Form
Programme 2011 ~ 2012
Please return the booking form to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
We look forward to hearing from you.
For more information please contact Amparo Echenique, Forth Valley Orchards Administrator, Forth Environment Link, Earlsgate House, Offices 5 and 6, St Ninian’s Road, Kings Park, Stirling, FK8 2HE Tel: 01786 449215, Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Forth Environment Link Annual Report 2011/2012
It has been a very busy year for Forth Environment Link, with many changes and accomplishments.