Latest News

Online news from LCV from 5 years agoto the current date. For older material, please consult the news archive

We also publish a quarterly newsletter.

Thanks go to all our contributors. We are happy to publish articles, photographs, pictures or poems from any LCV member. Most formats can be accommodated: handwritten, drawn, photographed or electronic. Just get in touch with the Newsletter Editor if you have something you'd like to see included.

Spring task list

Our spring programme is now available.

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Welcome to Harry Clough, our new Publicity Officer

Harry has taken over the publicity role and will be working to improve the visibility of our activities on social media. We thank Katie Koehler for her work as Publicity Officer, which has been hard to do from Dumfries! Katie will remain on the committee as Volunteer Support Officer, which will work with the Engagement and Publicity officers to provide a bit more assistance and advice to volunteers who may need it.

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Coordinator's Comments

As you read this we will be past the winter solstice and the days are growing imperceptibly longer. We have just completed another successful year at LCV and look forward to another with a fresh quarter beginning/begun in early January. We will be working on a variety of sites both old and new and look forward to seeing you on task. [More]

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Winter task list

Our winter programme for 2024 is now available.

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Coordinator's Comments

Whether it was removing tree tubes at Waterheads, doing scrub management at Granton Castle Walled Garden, removing saplings on bogs, or continuing the great battle with Rhododendron at Whim, Gifford, and Humbie, there were plenty of tasks to get our boots dug in this summer. [More]

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Welcome to Antonia Murphy, our Engagement Officer

Antonia has joined the committee to improve LCV's engagement with new and returning volunteers. Our first step in this direction is to trial online booking; please see the tasks page for details.

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Bracken and cleggs: Taynish residential 2023

At the beginning of June 2023, we finally returned to our annual summer residential task for the first time since 2019. A group of 8 LCV volunteers travelled to Kilmartin for one week to help NatureScot at Taynish National Nature Reserve (NNR) and Moine Mhor National Nature Reserve. For some of us it was the first time, for others it was a welcomed return to these stunning wildlife sanctuaries. [More]

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Summer task list

Our summer task programme is now available.

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Welcome to Annie Gallagher, our new Newsletter editor

Annie has joined the committee to take care of producing our quarterly newsletter, the Puggled Mucker. Many thanks to Annie for taking this on. LCV would also like to thank Aurelie Brousse for producing the Mucker for many years, especially since Aurelie has been in Canada for many of them!

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Geoff Dart joins the committee

Geoff has joined the committee as our Tools Officer, responsible for keeping all our tools in good working order. Many thanks to Geoff for taking this on. LCV would also like to thank Rob Hutchinson for his work over the years

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Coordinator's Comments

We are entering Spring following a successful Winter where we had a variety of tasks for new and established clients and will continue in the same vein. [More]

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Spring task list

Our spring task programme is now available.

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Coordinator's Comments

We are on the cusp both of a new year and a fresh LCV season. [More]

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Winter task list

Our winter programme for the new year is now available.

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Coordinator's Comments

We are on the cusp of our Autumn 2022 tasks quarter where we will have a full programme of tasks on sites, old and new ones. [More]

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Autumn task programme

Our autumn task programme is now available

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Coordinator's Comments

We are seamlessly transitioning to our next three-month quarter following another successful tranche of tasks. [More]

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Summer task programme

Our summer task programme is now available

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Coordinator's Comments

With Spring on its way and lighter restrictions, we are excited to present you with another full quarter of conservation activities around the Lothian. [More]

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Rob Hutchinson joins the committee

Rob has joined the committee as our Tools Officer, responsible for keeping all our tools in good working order. Many thanks to Rob for taking this on. LCV would also like to thank Edith Lendak for her work over the years

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Coordinator's Comments

As 2021 ends, we can proudly say that despite the global pandemic carrying on, LCV has had a busy year with tasks all around the Lothian. And as 2022 begins, we can only hope that the coming year will be as filled up as its first semester. You will find a variety of tasks for the first three months of the year in our task programme and we hope that you will be able to join us on many of them. [More]

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Winter task list

Our winter programme for the new year is now available.

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New Publicity Officer

Laura Marsh, our publicity officer has stepped down. We thank Laura for all her work over the years. Fortunately, Katie Koehler, who has been managing our social media presence for 2 years now has taken over the publicity role. There may have been some slight delays in response to emails during the transition; thanks for your patience

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New Year tasks announced

We've added a couple of tasks for the Christmas and New Year period to the programme. Enjoy!

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Autumn task list

Our autumn task programme is now available.

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Minibus capacity increased

Due to the relaxation in social distancing requirements beyond level 0, we have increased our minibus capacity from 4 to 6 places on a trial basis. We still request that volunteers who are able make their own way to the task site wherever possible, both to reduce close contact and leave spaces free for those without transport. Face coverings are still mandatory and our other safety measures such as assigned seating plans and ventilation are still in place. [More]

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Summer task list

Our summer task programme is now available.

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Tasks outside Edinburgh restart 2nd May

We are pleased to announce that we are restarting tasks outside Edinburgh from the 2nd of May! Please see the tasks page for further updates. [More]

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Tasks restarting in April

We are pleased to announce that we are resuming our conservation tasks. From 11th April we shall restart tasks in the Edinburgh area, and (hopefully) we will be able to have tasks further afield from May. [More]

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Task cancellations

Due to the continuing high level of risk from Coronavirus, we have cancelled our tasks up to and including the 14th of February. It is likely that further cancellations will follow. Please click through to the tasks page for the latest updates

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Winter task list

Our winter programme for the new year is now available.

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Introduction of protection levels - tasks continue

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]

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Tasks restarting - tasks until end November

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]

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New tasks for September

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.

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COVID-19 infection mitigation rules for LCV Minibus

Volunteers should ideally meet LCV on site before each task as this maintains effective social distancing. However, we believe that we can resume limited use of our minibus, with limited volunteer numbers and mitigations in place that we have developed after consulting the Scottish Government guidance for public transport operators. We have developed a policy to be followed by leaders, drivers and volunteers on safely use of the bus during the coronavirus outbreak. In addition we have updated our guidance to volunteers and guidance to task leaders. [More]

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Niamh Ni Nagy joins the committee

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

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Summer task list

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.

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Coronavirus volunteering policy statement

LCV believe that we can resume tasks once Scotland enters Phase 3 of the Scottish Government lockdown exit roadmap. This assumes that social distancing measures will be relaxed further once Phase 3 begins. The earliest date on which this can occur is 9th July. As part of the process we have prepared a position statement on safely running LCV tasks during the coronavirus outbreak. In addition we have updated our guidance to volunteers and guidance to task leaders. [More]

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2020 AGM held successfully

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]

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Arrangements for 2020 Annual General Meeting

Due to the social distancing measures required by the COVID-19 outbreak, the LCV AGM this year will be held by videoconference. [More]

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Coordinator's Comments

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]

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COVID-19 - Likely effects on LCV's task programme

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]

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LCV residential at Carsegowan Moss

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]

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Spring task list

Our spring programme is now available. Please be aware that due to COVID-19 tmany of these tasks will be cancelled.

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Cancelled Granton Castle task rescheduled for 14th March

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.

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Winter task list

Our winter programme for the new year is now available.

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Coordinator's Comments

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]

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New Task: Scrub clearance at Easter Inch on 2019-12-31

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!

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New Task: Sea buckthorn control on 2019-10-12

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!

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LCV at the Edinburgh Volunteer Fair

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]

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Coordinator's Comments

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]

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Autumn task list

Our autumn task programme is now available.

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Summer task list

Our summer task programme is now available. Enjoy!

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Coordinator's Comments

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]

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Successful AGM, and a big thankyou to Peter Gilbert

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]

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Coordinator's Comments

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]

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LCV resi at Knowetop Lochs and Carstramon Wood

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]

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Spring task list

Our spring task programme is now available. Hope you enjoy it!

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