All the latest news and events from Rouken Glen Park.

Welcome to our second issue of the Rouken Reporter, the official newsletter for Rouken Glen Park.

In this issue: ~ Update from Cllr. Waters ~ Park Improvement Updates ~ Feed the ducks? ~ Park Rangers ~ Spring Events Reflection ~ Friends of Rouken Glen ~ Volunteer Den ~ Events Calendar & Contact Details

The next issue of Rouken Reporter will be published in August 2013.

‘It seems like only yesterday that I was introducing the first issue of the Rouken Reporter and here we are approaching summer and there is already plenty to report. The Pavilion is now closed for a major refurbishment and park lighting works are underway; a basketball court has been installed and additional equipment put into the skate park. Added to this we have had two major new events take place in Rouken Glen – Electric Glen and Holi Festival, as well as the Eco-Zone, a new addition to the Highland Games. All have been hugely successful and have brought many new people into the park. Our volunteering programme is also gathering momentum with lots of new, exciting opportunities to come. It’s all looking good for the future so…come along and join in!’

Councillor Vincent Waters—Tel: 07703 88 71 70

Update from Cllr. Waters

Have you noticed the blue/green algal bloom that appears in the Boating Pond every summer? If you feed bread to the ducks, you are contributing to the problem. Often, when too much bread is fed to the ducks, not all of it is eaten, leading to an excess of soggy, rotting bread floating as a scum on the surface. Not only is this extremely unsightly, but it can also increase the risk of excessive algal growth in the pond, which not only affects local wildlife, but is also a risk to human health. Feeding bread to the ducks can also lead to overcrowding and disease amongst wildfowl populations, as well as attracting some unwanted pests to the park such as rats, mice and aggressive gulls.

Here at Rouken Glen Park, we don’t want to discourage people from enjoying the pleasures of feeding the ducks; however we would encourage visitors to bring alternative, healthier food sources for the ducks, including:

Frozen peas which have been defrosted

Barley, oats, birdseed or other grains

Halved grapes

By taking these simple steps, you can help us to make the Boating Pond a healthier, wildlife-friendly place.

Feed the Ducks?

Park Improvement Updates Works are now underway as part of the HLF/ ERC park improvement project. The £2.15m grant from HLF and £1m from ERC is being used to fund improvements to the park and to develop a range of events and activities. The works will be carried out over the next three years to make the park more sustainable, interesting and enjoyable. Keep reading the newsletter and visiting the website to find out what is happening.

Pavilion Refurbishment The Pavilion refurbishment is now underway, however when the contractor, Elim Construction Ltd. started work, they soon discovered several decades worth of rot deep within the building. As a result, more of the Pavilion will need to be re-built, with the consequence that it will now re-open at the end of August. Whilst the extended closure is disappointing, it does mean that when completed, the Pavilion will have been refurbished to a greater extent than originally planned. Boating Pond The staff at Rouken Glen park are taking an active role in assessing the overall health of our boating pond. In addition to the fortnightly water sampling that takes place the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology will be collecting samples of the plants, fish and micro-organisms that live in the pond to inform what steps are needed to improve the health of the pond in the long term.

Walled Garden As we develop new planting proposals and undertake repairs to the Walled Garden it will remain closed for the foreseeable future although the flat-beds (situated just outside the Walled Garden) will be re-planted with a colourful display in May and should be open to the public by the end of May.

During the park improvement project there will be some disruption and restricted access to certain areas of the park. Whilst the Pavilion is being refurbished the Park Rangers will be temporarily relocated to the terraced Lodge House near the main car park

and the paths in front of the Pavilion will be closed off; a temporary toilet has been provided near the Lodge House.

To keep up-to-date with all the HLF project news please visit www.roukenglenpark.co.uk

Here at Rouken Glen Park, we pride ourselves on having a great team of Park Rangers on hand to deal with a wide variety of park issues.

Our Park Rangers patrol the park on a daily basis, ensuring there is a high standard of cleanliness throughout the park, as well as answering questions about the history and nature of the park, as well as everyday questions. We also have some Seasonal staff who are here to support the Park Rangers throughout the busy Summer months.

Park Rangers

Right: Linda Logan, Park Ranger Below: Garry Nixon, Senior Park Ranger

Volunteer Den

Butterfly Transect Volunteers On a very snowy Saturday in March, our fifteen new Butterfly Transect volunteers braved the freezing conditions to attend a Transect training session. Needless to say we saw no butterflies! These guys will be walking the butterfly transect route from April until October, recording the number and species of butterflies they spot as they walk. The information collected is fed back to the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, and helps us to manage areas of the park for the conservation of butterflies and biodiversity. Many thanks to all our new volunteers, and to Scott Donaldson from Butterfly Conservation who kindly offered his advice and specialist knowledge on the day.

Spring Clean at Rouken Glen Three cheers to our three volunteers who turned up on a lovely Spring day in April to help Kate (our Activity Ranger) to clean up some of the less accessible and difficult areas of the park. In 3 hours, they collected a grand total of 45 bags of litter from the park boundary next to ProSoccer. Finds of the day included; a gas hob, a pop-up tent, 9 football boots, a car door and battery, a vacuum cleaner, and a FIVER! The volunteers were treated to an ice cream and goodies from Greggs the Bakers who are sponsoring Keep Scotland Beautiful’s ‘Clean Up Scotland’ campaign. The five pounds was donated to Butterfly Conservation.

Volunteer Action Days Rouken Glen Park Volunteer Action Days are back, and proving a huge success, with three great days bagged so far! If you're looking for the perfect opportunity to help in the practical conservation activities at Rouken Glen Park, come along and help our new Activity Ranger at our monthly Volunteer Action Days on the last Tuesday of every month (except December), between 10am and 3pm. Anyone is welcome to join in. Spaces on ALL Volunteer Action Days are limited, so BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL! If you'd like to book your space on any of our Volunteer Action Days, or for more information, please contact the Activities Staff on 0141 577 3912 or e-mail roukenglenpark@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Electric Glen: After unprecedented interest, Electric Glen was a sell-out event. Despite one night of heavy rain, visitors descended on Rouken Glen Park in their thousands to enjoy a spectacular light show over 5 nights in February. Holi—A Celebration of Spring Colours: On Saturday 6th April, Rouken Glen Park played host to the Hindu festival of Holi. Hundreds of visitors attended the event, taking part in a variety of activities, climaxing in the main attraction - a colour fight. The event was a huge success, with lots of colourful, smiling people after the finale! Highland Games 2013: The sun was out, the kilts were swishing and the cabers were tossed. Our activities staff organised a new addition to this year’s games - the Eco Zone - jam-packed with lots of environmental organisations and with lots of fun activities which proved a popular attraction for the whole family.

Spring Events Reflection The Friends of Rouken Glen Park are local enthusiasts who seek to support, improve and promote Rouken Glen Park. They are looking for new members to take an active role in park management consultation, running small events and fundraising for group projects. Park users, visitors and anybody else with an interest or involvement in Rouken Glen Park are encouraged to join the Friends Group. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss park matters and group activity. For further information, please contact Steve Edwards on: Tel: 0141 618 7837 E-mail: steveedwards56@hotmail.com

www.friendsofroukenglen.org.uk

Friends of Rouken Glen

The new HLF Activity Staff will be planning a series of events and activities throughout the year. If you would like to receive an electronic copy of our newsletter and upcoming events calendar, please join our mailing list.

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Contact Information Email: roukenglenpark@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk Tel: 0141 577 3912 Web: www.roukenglenpark.co.uk

facebook.com/RoukenGlenPark @RoukenGlenPark

Post: Rouken Glen Park, East Renfrewshire Council, Environment Department, Thornliebank Depot, 190 Carnwadric Road, Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, G46 8HR

Scottish Opera -

“A Little Bit of the Pirates of Penzance” Sat 11 May 11am & 1pm

0141 577 3912 Rouken Glen Park This specially commissioned version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s much loved piece promises to feature the high speed patter, catchy songs and Python-esque twinkle that have made it so popular with audiences. All of our “Little Bit of…” performances are completely FREE. No booking required.

Tree’s a Crowd Sat 11 May 2.30-4pm 0141 577 3912 Rouken Glen Park Join our Activity Ranger on a fun tour around the park exploring some of our amazing trees, as well as taking part in activities such as bark rubbing and tree-ID.

Newts are Cute Fri 24 May 2-4pm

0141 577 3912 Rouken Glen Park As part of Scotland’s Nature Festival, our Activity Ranger will be introducing participants to some of our park’s more secretive creatures. Remember your wellies!

Druids of Caledon - Alban Heflin Sun 23 June 12-4pm 0141 577 3912 Druid Circle, Rouken Glen Park Join the Druids of Caledon in their celebration of the Summer Solstice. Meet at 12pm at the West Lodge House near the Car Park, or at 12.30pm at the Druid Circle, west of the Waterfall. No booking required.

Rouken Glen Park

Upcoming Events and Activities Summer 2013

Key: DateTime ContactLocation

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Always wear suitable clothing and footwear. Booking is essential unless otherwise stated. All events are FREE unless otherwise stated.

Riverbeast Explorers Thu 27 June 2-4pm 0141 577 3912 The Waterfall, Rouken Glen Park Come along and explore the riverbeasts that roam the burn. Remember to bring your wellies and waterproofs!!

Bugs ‘n’ Beasties Fri 28 June 2-4pm 0141 577 3912 Rouken Glen Park Its National Insect week, so why not join our Activity Ranger on her favourite past-time….bug-hunting! Bring your wellies.

Wonders of the not-so-deep! Sat 20 July 2-4pm

0141 577 3912 Rouken Glen Park Discover the weird and wonderful world beneath the surface of our pond. Wellies and waterproofs are highly advisable. We have some pond nets, but you may want to bring your own if you have one.

National Moth Night Fri 9 & Sat 10 Aug Fri - 8-10pm, Sat - 9-11am 0141 577 3912 Rouken Glen Park As part of National Moth Night 2013, our Activity Ranger will be setting up a moth-trap overnight to see which groovy moths come to the disco. So why not come along and meet a moth or two?