Aldouran Glen Village 's project was to counterbalance the environmental effect of the aggregate extraction at the nearby Leswalt quarry. This had damaged and destroyed the habitat of many birds, other wild animals and native plant life. As well as this the noise and other pollution at the quarry had made wild animals and fish move away from the area, changing the ecological balance and affecting the sustainability of native plant life over a much larger area than the quarry itself occupied.
With the help of the Community Environmental Renewal Grant they set out to create a natural wetland and nature area, together with sensory gardens, covering some 4 acres, immediately on the other side of the village, between Aldouran Glen Woodland and the village playing field, approximately one mile from the quarry. By doing this they wished to create a habitat suitable for all the animals which have been displaced, and others, plus a controlled planting of native plants, both in the wetland and the gardens, thus enriching the natural environment and wildlife of an otherwise environmentally impoverished area.
This wetland was then to be used as part of the educational resources of a site dedicated to the teaching of life skills to those with educational special needs, using animals, nature, the environment and horticulture. They have been helped by the willing and generous assistance of many volunteers, and guided by the expertise of Solway Heritage, The Galloway Fisheries Trust, and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Scottish Woodlands then came in to excavate the site, create the wetland, and put in field drains in the garden area.
The whole village site is designed to be fully accessible even to the most profoundly physically disabled. To this end a wide walkway was constructed, with multiple viewing points, and a pond-dipping platform. The gradients are gentle, and by using long runs it is possible for everyone to access the high viewing platform/hide situated under the trees where both the wetland and adjacent woodland can be easily viewed. The woodland, Aldouran Glen, is very old and is owned by The Woodland Trust, who have been very helpful and who are participating in the work to extend access for all into the woodland.
In order to attract back otters and other animals to the site it was necessary to include some deeper water (2 metres). However, most of the wetland is much shallower. By providing large areas of shallow water, and surrounding dry land with natural indigenous plants, native species of local provenance, the correct environment has been provided for breeding grounds for newts, frogs, toads, water voles, beetles (reed & diving), dragon flies and other insect life.
Some 1,200 native trees were planted in order to bring the woodland out and around the new wetland. A mixture of alnus glutinosa, corylus avellana, crataegus monogyna, fraxinus excelsior, quercus robur and salix viminalis were used. Around the edge of the tree planting 100 rosa canina plants were planted.
In the wetland the following native aquatic plants have been planted: White Water Lily (Nymphaea alba); Yellow Water Lilly (Nuphar lutea); Broad-leafed pondweed (Potamogeton natans); Curled pondweed (Potamogeton crispus); Rigid Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum); Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus); Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria); Rushes (Juncus species); Great Water-dock (Rumex hydrolapathum); Reed Canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea); Reed Sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima); Bulrush (Typha latofolia); Creeping Bent (Agrostis stolonifera); Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus); Water Mint (Mentha aquatica); Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpuioides); Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre); Bulbuos Rush (Juncus bulbosus); Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi); Marsh Violet (Viola palustris); Deergrass (Trichoforum caespitosum); Creeping Forget-me-not (Myosotis secunda); Frogbit (Hydrocharis Morsus Ranae); Flowering Rush (Botomus umbrellatus); Water Violet (Hottonia palustris); and Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia).
A large nature garden with both pond and dry land was created, and over 800 wild flower plants were planted there, creating a path and sitting area.
Sensory gardens are designed to appeal and stimulate each and every one of our senses, so that no matter what impairment a visitor to the garden may have, there is always something that enables them to enjoy the beauty of nature. The design of the garden is therefore extremely important, as those with mobility problems must enjoy the same access as those who are able bodied.
The garden measures approximately 70 metres square and is packed with colour, textures, tastes, fragrances and sounds. An additional area of some 30 metres x 30 metres would be kept as a woodland glade, sown with numerous layers of bulbs and wild flower plants so that there is one carpet of flowers followed by another throughout the spring and summer months.
Seating areas were included, all with plenty of room for wheelchairs, and numerous water features. Most or all of the following 36 plant varieties were selected due to their sensory natures: Briza - Media, Avena Sativa, Populus Tremula, Rhinanthus Minor, Campanula Medium, Origan Vulgare, Rosmarinus Officinalis, Fennel Vulgare, Sanguisorba Minor, Allium Schoenoprasum,, Tropaeolum Majus, Fragaria Vesca, Chamaemelum Nobile, Filipendula Ulmaria, Lonicera Periclymenum, Lavandula Spica, Allium Ursinum, Agrimonia Eupatoria, Chrysanthemum Vulgare, Oenothera Biennis, Sedem Album, Stachys Sylvatica, Dipsacus Fullonum, Stachys Byzantina, Primula Veris, Chrysanthemum Segitum, and Eremurus Stonophyllus Bungei.
The garden is split up into four areas: sensory, relaxation, remembrance and activity, each one catering for a particular area of natural therapy.
The remembrance garden, with its raised flower beds, fish pond, and bridge shows the style of other gardens to be added. The raised beds allow wheelchair users to enjoy the plant life more, thus fully enjoying the beauty of nature.
Contact
Bernard Farrell-Roberts
Project Manager
Aldouran Glen Village
Aldouran Glen House
Leswalt
Stranraer
Wigtownshire
DG9 0LJ
Telephone: 01776 870444
Bernard@aldouran.org
www.aldouran.org