Lothians Conservation Volunteers
COVID-19 outbreak: Our task programme is still running. Please keep checking the task list page for updates.
On 2020-11-17 the Scottish Government updated the protection levels (tiers) assigned to various areas of the country as part of the strategic framework for control of coronavirus in Scotland. Edinburgh remains in tier 3. The restrictions in tier 3 continue to allow us to run tasks outdoors.
The LCV trustees' view is that LCV, a registered charity, operates "organised outdoor activities" for those over the age of 18 and furthermore provides "voluntary and charitable services". These activities are expressly permitted in the relevant legislation.
The travel guidance and the relevant law also contains an exception to allow for "travel for work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, but only where that cannot be done from your home".
Any decision to travel to our tasks must always be made by each individual volunteer, with regard to their own personal circumstances and taking into account any other relevant government guidance. Police Scotland have indicated they will be enforcing the travel restrictions from Friday 20th November so volunteers should also prepare themselves to explain the reason for their journey when traveling to tasks.
29/10/2020 Posted by
On 2020-10-29 the Scottish Government the protection levels (tiers) assigned to various areas of the country as part of the strategic framework for control of coronavirus in scotland. Edinburgh and surrounding areas are in tier 3. The restrictions in tier 3 continue to allow us to run tasks outdoors. [More]
02/10/2020 Posted by
After a review of the Scottish Government guidance and associated regulations, we are pleased to announce that we can resume our conservation tasks. Since LCV is a registered charity, we are permitted to carry out "organised activities" taking place outdoors for those over 18. Our first task is on 4th October, scything the meadow at Springfield Mill in Midlothian and we've now added some more tasks up to the end of November! Please keep checking the tasks page for further updates. [More]
18/08/2020 Posted by
We are pleased to announce five more tasks for the month of September. Due to COVID-19 we are updating the programme on a monthly basis and tasks may be cancelled at short notice.
Please note: Tasks will run rather differently while the outbreak is ongoing, depending on the measures required. Volunteers are strongly encouraged to make their own way to the site as places on our minibus are extremely limited due to social distancing requirements. There are also be additional instructions on the day to ensure social distancing and hygiene.
15/07/2020 Posted by
Niamh has joined the committee as our Fundraiser. This is an important role as fundraising allows us to provide tools, equipment and training to our volunteers. Many thanks to Niamh for taking this on. LCV would also like to thank Meryl Norris for her work over the years
24/06/2020 Posted by
Our Summer task programme is now available. Please be aware that due to COVID-19 we will be updating the programme on a monthly basis and tasks may be cancelled at short notice. Please note: Tasks will run rather differently while the outbreak is ongoing, depending on the measures required. Initially there will be no minibus transport and volunteers will be required to make their own way to the site. There will also be additional instructions on the day to ensure social distancing and hygiene.
16/05/2020 Posted by
We held our AGM on 12th May, using videoconferencing due the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, here is the list of committee members for 2020/21. [More]
20/04/2020 Posted by
Due to the social distancing measures required by the COVID-19 outbreak, the LCV AGM this year will be held by videoconference. [More]
18/03/2020 Posted by
We are completing another successful season of LCV tasks where we visited a variety of established and new sites. We are due to start a new season soon but with the COVID-19 outbreak this has been delayed in accordance with government advice. Please check the website for updates. [More]
17/03/2020 Posted by
In line with government advice published on 2020-03-16 to avoid any unecessary travel and social gatherings we are now cancelling tasks in our programme 3-4 weeks ahead of the date of the task. [More]
16/03/2020 Posted by
Eight of us left Edinburgh on Friday afternoon destined for a weekend of bog conservation. We eyed the weather forecast apprehensively: high-velocity sleet anyone? [More]
14/03/2020 Posted by
Our spring programme is now available. Please be aware that due to COVID-19 tmany of these tasks will be cancelled.
27/02/2020 Posted by
The task that was cancelled on 15th February due to waterlogging of the worksite has been rescheduled for Saturday 14th March. If you would like to attend, please book with Debbie as normal. Note that bookings on the cancelled task will not be transferred, so please re-book if you wish to go.
16/12/2019 Posted by
As we approach the end of the year, we look forward to another where we will celebrate the Golden Anniversary of LCV and to that end, I would like to welcome Edel Sheridan and Sarah McConachie to the committee. I would also like to welcome Katie Koehler. [More]
02/12/2019 Posted by
We have an additional task on Hogmanay: a continuation of our scrub clearance works at this popular site. An excellent preparation for the evening festivities!
26/09/2019 Posted by
We have an additional task in October: Sea Buckthorn control at Yellowcraig Beach. Last chance to spend a day on the beach this year we think!
18/09/2019 Posted by
LCV would like to thank Volunteer Edinburgh for hosting us and more than 50 other charities at the excellent Volunteer Recruitment Fair 2019. We spoke with a number of lovely people on the day and hopefully we'll see some of you on task soon. [More]
16/09/2019 Posted by
As summer fades and autumn's rosy glow envelopes us we celebrate the end of a successful quarter for LCV and look forward to a new one where we will be working on a mixture of new and established sites. [More]
26/06/2019 Posted by
As I write this, we have just had a successful residential in Galloway at the end of a good quarter for LCV and look forward to the upcoming quarter. [More]
18/05/2019 Posted by
We held our AGM on 14th May and firstly we would like to extend a big "thankyou" to Peter Gilbert who stepped down as LCV's Training Organiser at the AGM. Peter, we hope to see you on task soon. [More]
23/03/2019 Posted by
As I write this, we have just had a successful residential in Galloway at the end of a good quarter for LCV and look forward to the upcoming quarter. [More]
23/03/2019 Posted by
Six of us gathered at the LCV toolshed on the Friday evening looking forward to our weekend away. Willie was our designated leader and he and Sarah shared the driving between Edinburgh and Dumfriesshire. The traffic on route was kind to us so we pushed on to Castle Douglas for our chip shop stop. Thanks to Sarah's googling we found a terrific one (Moore's) which served an impressive selection of takeaway items, including a special of the day "mango chilli prawn wrap" - traditional chippies take heed!. [More]
18/03/2019 Posted by
Our spring task programme is now available. Hope you enjoy it!
30/12/2018 Posted by
As the year blends into 2019, we look back on a successful 2018 and also forward to 2019, where we will return to some of our old favourite sites as well as some new and diverse ones. [More]
09/12/2018 Posted by
Greg has taken on the Membership Secretary role filled hitherto by Louisa Martin. Many thanks to Greg for taking on this important role!
28/10/2018 Posted by
"Bring a sleeping bag, a pillowcase, your wellies and full waterproofs", they said. "Bring something warm and dry to change into and a flask for a warming drink on the task", they said. This did not sound like we were expecting sunny weather, but I was looking forward to the adventure so potential cold and wet weather were not a deterrent. [More]
27/10/2018 Posted by
As of 27th October 2018 our usual bookings phone number 0131 3370223 has been reconnected and should be used for any future bookings. Please accept our apologies for the recent disruption.
09/10/2018 Posted by
We are delighted to announce we will be returning to Granton Castle on Saturday 17th November to continue with the scrub clearance work there. Clearing the scrub enables the community garden's own volunteers to return the land to productive community use.
08/10/2018 Posted by
As we enter a fresh new quarter with LCV, the summer is already fading to memory and a chill is in the air. During the summer we enjoyed a successful resi trip to Taynish, and we have a weekend resi in Dumfries and Galloway planned for October. In other news from last quarter, seven of our volunteers completed a first aid course in early September, meaning we'll now have even more first-aiders at hand when out on task. [More]
