Friends of the Calder in £1000 cash boost

Blantyre environmental group Friends of the Calder are quids in thanks to a £1050 cheque from the town’s Asda store.

The group received the money as part of the supermarket chain’s local impact grant scheme.

Friends of the Calder will now use the cash to purchase benches, which will be placed on the hill from Milheugh to the White Gates, providing resting points for those that need it.

The group are also part of the ‘green token’ scheme in Asda Blantyre, and are asking for the community’s support to help them win £1000.

When shopping in Asda, shoppers are asked to place a green token in their box in store.

If they win, they’ll be able to provide even more amazing resources for the community to enjoy.

A spokesperson for Friends of the Calder said: “Asda have been an amazing support over the last year.

“We’d like to thank store manager Gillian and community champion Mary for their ongoing backing. It really means a lot.”

Meanwhile, Friends of the Calder got stuck into some back-breaking work earlier this month.

For, at their last event of the year, a lovely group of volunteers continued work on their wildflower meadow, leading to their newly-established community orchard just off Huntshill Road.

The rain didn’t dampen their spirits however, and before long they had raked the ground and scattered yellow rattle seeds, in preparation for the next stage of work.

The spokesperson continued: “It won’t be long before a beautiful meadow is blooming, to be enjoyed by the whole community, including the Blantyre bees and butterflies!”

Elsewhere, an act of vandalism recently saw a 200-year-old down.

Friends of the Calder have asked to now use the wood from the tree to create seating or stepping stones outside the new orchard.

They are looking for individuals to come along to help move the wood and

Blantyre tree cut to create the new features.

If anyone can help please get in touch via their Facebook page www.facebook. com/friendsofthecalder.

Finally, the Friends of the Calder AGM will take place on Tuesday, January 7, at 7pm in the June Stewart Centre, and everyone is welcome to attend.