UDDINGSTON PRIDE

Making Uddingston a Better Place BEAUTIFUL SCOTLAND 2019

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Horticulture Achievement 2 Environmental Responsibility 6 Community Involvement 9

Further Information Wilkie Plough Bothwell Castle Grounds Site of Special Scientific Interest. Publicity

1 Introduction

On behalf of the Community of Uddingston, this Portfolio is presented by the Uddingston Pride Group in support of our entry into Beautiful Scotland 2019. The history of Uddingston started with an Iron Age settlement and from that time there has been continuous development through early Scottish history to the present time from the Murrays, The Douglasses, Mary Queen of Scots and the building of Bothwell Castle. Uddingston really began to develop in the late 18th century when the famous Wilkie plough was developed, that played an important part in Scottish and Caribbean agriculture. Glasgow merchants began to move out of the city at this time to build the first town houses, some of which can still be seen to this day. Cotton weaving and coalmining provided work for many. The railway took over from the horse and carriage and made Uddingston more accessible and the village is now served by numerous motorways making it a centre for all modes of transport. Uddingston Pride is an organisation, formed in 2000 by a group of concerned residents aware of the deterioration of the environment, and of the challenges faced by the local authorities in cleansing, roads, lighting and landscaping. The group has sought to redress this situation by improving the look of the village with provision of floral baskets, barrels and barrier planters all filled with high quality plants to provide a Main Street with a “wow” factor. Over many years interest has been generated from various areas of the village who are keen to upgrade their immediate surroundings by planting and maintaining floral containers and keeping their outside space free of weeds and litter throughout the year. Clean up days are arranged by Uddingston Pride and a team of helpers with the assistance of North and South Lanarkshire Councils this has helped to improve the village environment with an obvious benefit to the community. As well as working with the Council we operate successful partnerships with local business, local groups, Churches, Schools, Viewpark Community Allotments and volunteers. Since these early days, Uddingston Pride has increased the extent and area of its efforts on a year-on-year basis, from the village centre, extending out to the surrounding residential and commercial areas. Uddingston Pride is a registered Charity, with a written constitution, which sets out details of the Management Structure and Financial controls to which the elected Committee must adhere. The office bearers for 2018/19 are as follows Chair- Liz Wilson Vice Chair- Anona Fraser Secretary- Sandy Robertson Treasurer – Martin Murray In addition, we have 19+committee members. We are also able to call on a large number of “friends of Uddingston Pride”, who can offer practical assistance when requested.

2 Horticultural Achievement The War Memorial located near the Parish Church is maintained by South Lanarkshire Council to a very high standard. The Royal British Legion Scotland awarded the memorial “Champion of Champion” for the third year running 2018. Uddingston Pride added to the site, two commemorative seats along with a litter bin to match the seats We raised the funding through the Craft Fayre, a bag pack for Marks and Spencer and a donation from the ladies of Park Church. Uddingston Pride also provide the winter hanging baskets at the Memorial.

An area around the David Milne Centre had been neglected for many years, we had the Community Pay Back team join us and cleared the overgrown area. Funding was requested and received from Scotmid and Uddingston Community Centre. The SLC Community Pay Back Team made the new planters incorporating a seat and these have been seasonally planted throughout this year by the Group. This is the site of the house where John Wilkie was born - 1770-1829 Inventor of the iron plough manufactured in Old Mill Road Uddingston and sold throughout the word.

The Community Centre also asked for our assistance and we arranged the Community Pay Back team to demolish old and tired planters, and make new containers and these were planted with spring bulbs and violas. Summer bedding in the season. This project was Financed by the management Committee of the Community

Bothwell Castle Golf Club entrance is planted out by South Lanarkshire Council, cost met by the Golf Club. Uddingston Pride Acted as an intermediary in setting up this agreement. The Parish Church is planted seasonally and maintained by group members the Church meet the cost of all materials.

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Sandy and Kevin Pruning the trees and shrubs at the plot beside the railway bridge

St John the Baptist Church is a mass of summer colour in pot and barrels, planted by the Parish Priest, who takes a particular pride in the appearance of his Church.

The Library building

The Community Council provided funds to Uddingston Pride so that wall mounted baskets could be provided. A plaque acknowledging the Community Council’s involvement has been attached to the wall of the building.

Uddingston Station adopted by Uddingston Pride 2005.

Continued support from Scotrail has seen the initial two flower beds augmented with mangers and hanging baskets on the station building. Two basket trees funded by rail company have been sited near the footbridge. The baskets and mangers in the station have all been replaced by Amberol stock to cut down on the frequency of watering. A disused area along the Glasgow platform has been cleared of rubble and planted with a variety of shrubs, in the spring we had a lovely show of Crocus and daffodils and in summer months lavender attract the bees.

To enhance the otherwise drab grey painted windows the group arranged to have murals of old and present day Uddingston mounted in the frames. Prior to the centenary of the end of the great War the local Masonic Lodge approached us with some historical facts and photos or residents of the village who left from the station to fight in Europe, we engaged a printer to prepare a covering for this window, the lodge meeting the cost.

Crofthead Park entrance has a new Herbaceous border this spring which is bringing more colour to the area. Wild flower planting in the vicinity also adds colour in the summer months the spring bulbs in the park early in the year adds interest. Recently we have installed some herb troughs and invited the residents of Uddingston to help themselves to herbs when they have established. 4 The refurbishment of Crofthead Park in 2016 was our largest project undertaken. It lies in the heart of Uddingston and the work undertaken to upgrade the park has been greatly appreciated by all members of the community. We applied for funding and were fortunate to be granted an award of £185,000 from the Big Lottery, the park has Swings, climbing frames, roundabouts and a zip wire. A fenced toddler area, a multi-use games area and an outdoor gym for adults, all ages are catered for. We also included in the refurbishment additional seating sponsored by residents and organisations in the community. Last year we were approached by a parent of an disabled child who asked if a special swing could be added, we spoke to a local councillor and she made application on our behalf for planning Gain funding which was used to erect a special swing and a partner swing side by side.

The site of the new SUDS pond at the west end of the village has been enhanced by the planting of 120 native species of tree, wildflower seeds have also been sown. The Community Pay Back team joined in the planting. We have agreed a budget for planting a number of trees annually this is the third year we have planted native trees along the banks of the river Clyde.

Spring bulbs were, again planted this Autumn by the grammar School Pupils, Tree House nursery, the Boys Brigade Junior Section and Uddingston Pride Group and Friends. We, annually, plant a minimum of 5000 spring flowering bulbs to give beautiful spring colour throughout the village. 88,000 daffodil bulbs were planted on the avenue leading to Bothwell Castle this gives a magnificent show during April and May.

Sunflowers were also planted by The St John the Baptist garden Club, Tree House Nursery, The library Kids and Castle Gate nursery.

5 Viewpark Allotment Gardens

Situated towards the east of the village the allotment garden was established on a former Council Nursery 3 years ago, we have a close connection with the allotments with three members of our Group having plots there and the children of St John the Baptist School Garden group meet there on a Friday afternoon,

St Johns Gardening Group

Main Street

65 + shop front floral pots sold at a profit by the group to provide an attractive Main Street display.

A total of 28 barrels, 8 barrier baskets 50 wall mounted mangers, 60 hanging baskets and 15 large street containers have been prepared for this summer. The large street containers are seasonally planted and remain in place throughout the year maintained by the group. We are assisted by South Lanarkshire Council Community Pay Back team to install the summer mangers and baskets and remove these in the Autumn.

Summer displays are augmented by North and South Lanarkshire Councils providing hanging baskets on the street lamps. And bedding plant displays in the village.

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ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY A major asset to the Village is the Clyde walkway, a long- distance walkway from the centre of Glasgow to New Lanark which passes to the west of Uddingston along the River Clyde. The provision of interpretation signs for the Uddingston section of the walk were provided by the Group and installed by South Lanarkshire Council The Bothwell Castle Grounds where one of the interpretation signs is located is a site of special scientific interest. The ground flora has typical woodland species – Bluebells and Wild Garlic, pendulous Sedge and tuberous Comfrey. The route comes into Uddingston over the Green Bridge which lies adjacent to Uddingston Viaduct, built in 1848 by the Caledonian Railway, the viaduct was the first arched cast iron viaduct in Scotland. At this point the national cycle route and the Clyde Walkway separate with the cycle route continuing into Uddingston passing the Grammar School. This provides a useful route for the pupils who wish to cycle to school The walkway continues upstream along the banks of the Clyde to the 13th century Bothwell Castle which remains one of the best examples of Scottish medieval architecture. Both the walkway and the cycle route feature in village clean up days. Snowdrops on the walkway SUDS POND In the short time Since the pond has existed, we are amazed at the variety of wild life which has appeared, Badgers, Otters, frogs, Foxes, Heron, and Deer are among the new inhabitants. Our Apiary is close to this area.

Three of our local primary schools, Muiredge, St John the Baptist and Aitkenhead have been working on biodiversity as part of their respective eco schools award and Uddingston Pride have been happy to support them in this area of the curriculum. Uddingston Grammar School have also won their eco flag and have enjoyed the support of our members throughout the year The Gardening club children looked after 10 caterpillars for 22 days, they were amazed at the changes taking place as the caterpillars grew into butterflies in the net where they were being held, it was then time to set 9 painted lady butterflies free. 7 Aitkenhead School tiding their Garden.

They also reared 10 Painted Lady Butterflies.

Tannochside Primary Preparing to hang their bird boxes in February.

The permanent planters which replaced the original Barrels on the Main Street means that we have considerably reduced the use of bagged compost.

The summer bedding and compost in the new barrels, wall mangers and hanging baskets and barrier baskets are all returned to Rosebank Garden Centre to be ploughed into a local Clyde Valley farmers field.

Thanks in part to Uddingston pride there is now a dedicated cleansing team for Uddingston and the neighbouring village of Bothwell, with results that are welcomed throughout the area. The pavements around the villages are cleaned by a specialised self-propelled mechanical brush daily.

A number of minor clean ups and litter picks are carried out on a regular basis during the year this ,year we have had co-operation from The Guides, The Girls Brigade, The Beavers, a ladies walking group, Scotmid Co-op and local residents who regularly litter pick while walking their dogs.

A joint annual clean up initiative with brighter Bothwell and 4th and 5th year pupils from Uddingston Grammar takes place in June just before the school holidays.

The 1st Uddingston Guides

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2nd Uddingston Guides

The Ladies walking Group and Donald

The Girls Brigade

North Lanarkshire Joining Keep Scotland Beautiful

The Beavers

Environmental responsibility cont.

Viewpark Allotment Gardens and Uddingston Pride have taken on the joint responsibility of bee keeping. Viewpark Allotments received a grant from Greggs to purchase 2 hives, Kevin and Liz took a Bee keeping course during last winter and spring and in May they took delivery of two colonies of bees.

The bees are kept in a secure area with the permission of a friend of Uddingston Pride who is delighted to have them.

Terry has been nurturing saplings during this year in preparation for early planting. The trees will be planted throughout the area including the SUDS pond. This is part of our commitment on an annual basis to plant trees.

9 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION One of the Group’s main community events is the Christmas Village open day this takes place on the 1st Sunday in December. We set up our Marquee at Uddingston Cross where we are joined by a number of Charities who have stalls with items for sale, the local Rotary Club also have a stall. School Choirs are in attendance along with the local Pipe Band and the Salvation Army Band who entertain the residents that turn out in great numbers to support this event. Park Church located on the Main Street provides facilities for the primary schools to perform and provides a coffee shop in the church hall. Primary school children enjoy taking part in a “Cuckoo in the Nest” competition and Santa magically appears each year to hand out bags of goodies to all.

An Arts and Craft exhibition has been part of the village summer for more than 40 years, in a change of emphasis, and to add variety, it was decided to replace this with a Craft Fayre and invite local crafters to take a stall and sell their goods. This provides another excellent source of fundraising and publicity for Uddingston Pride, this is well attended by locals and visitors. Park Church very generously give us the use of the Church and the Church Hall for a week during June annually. This year the sum of £980 was raised. Retail - Best Christmas shop window display

We hold a competition for the bested dress shop window during the Festive season, this year a new retailer to the village were the judges. The winners were “Blossoms” their theme was 60 years of Mickey Mouse. The trophy is provided by “Belt-Up” a retailer on the Main Street.

The majority of the shopkeepers on the Main Street are happy to be involved with the group by purchasing small flower tubs for the front of their premises. 70 flower tubs were sold this year those retailers unable to display the flowers provide a donation to the group’s funds. Tunnocks sponsor the best kept shop tub competition with a prize of lunch for two in Tunnocks tearoom. The entrance to Tesco Store to the east of the Main Street is maintained by Uddingston Pride the Supermarket is very generous in providing provisions for Clean up days, Craft Fayre, Open Garden day and our stall and café at the Christmas open day.

Local Councillors Our local Councillors are regular attendees of pour monthly committee meetings and receive the minutes. Friends of Uddingston Pride This category of membership is for those who are keen to be kept informed of our activities and to be able to help when required. We have 48 members in this category. 10 Horticulture Society We have six members of our committee actively involved with the local horticultural society one being a past president. Uniform Organisations. We have been invited to speak to various youth organisations, as all of the young adults don’t remember a time when Uddingston Pride was not looking after our village they were keen to hear how we started and our part in keeping our community so bright and litter free, we did presentations to the Guides, the Brownies, the Girls Brigade and Tannochside Primary School. The Brownies were given a bird box to put up at Park Church. The Boys Brigade Planted Daffodill bulbs and wild flowers at the Parish Church Schools We have two members of the committee who liaise with the primary schools in the district and assist where they can. Aitkenhead school raised caterpillars and watched them change into Butterflies. Tannochside Primary put up two bird boxes in the playground assisted by Ian.

St John the Baptist School Gardening group meet in Viewpark Allotment Garden on a Friday afternoon where they are growing vegetables, tomatoes and sunflowers guided by Catherine Paul and assisted by Liz and Gabby (Sean’s Mum)

The Craft Bombers. The Hippo from the great Hamilton Stampede finds a Home

The crafters in the village set aside two weeks in the year when they decorate the village with various crafts. This year the theme was “Food Fiesta” and the Children from Park Church decided that they would join us by making a display of “Pollinators” as without them we would not have good food.

The Music Festival 11

This year a Friend of Uddingston Pride who plays with The Michael Brawley Swing Band approached and asked if the Band could have a concert to benefit Uddingston Pride, we were delighted, and Park Church agreed to let us have the use of the Church. We advertised this as a free concert and were amazed that everyone donated to us and we raised £600 on the evening. We were also given a cheque from the organisers of other events during the festival.

Fairtrade Breakfast. Sponsored by Scotmid The Treehouse Nursery children came to Breakfast Along with 50 other local residents.

MacMillan Coffee Morning Our Member of Parliament, who takes a great interest in Uddingston Pride asked us to co-host a coffee morning for the benefit of the MacMillan Nurses. We were very happy to arrange the coffee morning and raised £380. We have arranged to do this again this year in September.

Open Garden Day A number of members and local gardening enthusiasts kindly opened their garden one Sunday afternoon in July. A good number of local people turned out to admire their gardens and enjoy a cup of tea and some home baking. This event was much enjoyed, and raised a total of £350 for group funds

Finance Donations £7130 Fund raising £2395 Sale of Planters £1277 Future Plans We work on a continual improvement policy which sees us adding to the work we do every year. We continue to expand and vary our fund raising activities, which also serve to increase public awareness of the Group’s work 12

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Uddingston Pride find that Social Media “Facebook” is our best advertising tool we have a very good loyal following.