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Community Forest Community Training Days

Following a successful funding application to Forestry Commission Scotland, we are in a position to offer a series of community training days.

The project aims to train the participants in a series of workshops; to enable a feasibility study for a path to be built, leading to the Chambered Cairn (opposite the Clachan in Glendaruel).

These workshops (more details below) will be delivered by the Clydesdale Community Initiative on the following dates:

25th and 26th January- Colintraive hall, 10.00-3.00

30th January- Colintraive hall, 10.00-3.00

8th and 9th February- Glendaruel hall, 10.00-3.00

There will be a good mix of indoor and outdoor learning. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

If you would like to attend these training days please email confirmation to Mark Chambers on mark@cgdt.org. If you are not able to attend all of the days don’t worry, it will be possible to keep up to date with the workshops by emails and hand-outs, etc. Spaces are limited.

Thanks,

Mark.

Below is an outline of what the days will comprise of:

 

Day 1: Survey principles

Introduction to survey equipment, SWOT analysis of potential route, legislation, H&S, Statutory consents, Services and utilities.

The community would be introduced to the range of survey of equipment that could be utilised to deliver the above the project and the varying information that would be required to deliver an outline design.  Practical experience will be given in utilising both ‘dumpy’ levels and laser levels. Information will be provided on the use of total station CAD integrated survey equipment.

The principles of survey and analysis will also be discussed with demonstrations of previous examples of projects and the constraints that were placed upon them by local environmental conditions and the original design brief. This will enable the participants to think in detail about the factors that will influence the final design and potential external funding bid. This will lead to the SWOT analysis, discussions on the legislative considerations pertaining to this particular project and the required desk top studies including historical land use mapping, service restrictions potential environmental and habitat restrictions and utilities. Michael can provide practical examples where these studies have altered and influenced other projects in the past. Information will also be provided on what potential external consultancy may be required to meet planning and legislative requirements.

 

Day 2: Survey Practice Day 2 of the training will be a more practical day- we would particularly like to encourage children and young people to attend this day.

The group will participate in a practical path survey on a sample site survey over approx 250m. They will identify the primary physical and technical issues including:

·         Topographic

·         Ground Conditions

·         Habitat (leading to recommendation for ecological survey)

·         Watercourse and drainage

·         Hazards

 

Day 3: Mapping

The group will interpret and transfer the data from the survey onto a base plan.

While this will be practically undertaken on a paper base plan there will also be an introduction to the principals of CAD. The group will be introduced to the theory and practice of interpreting and interrogating drawings.  Michael will provide examples of what level of detail is required for previously successful externally funded path projects . Upon the completion of the day a site survey and analysis drawing will be completed and an outline design agreed upon

 

Day 4: Specification, construction detailing and costing requirements

CCI will presentation the outline design and completed site survey and analysis drawing resulting from the first three days of tutorials. The group will then be introduced to good construction practices illustrating a variety of construction techniques and material available to undertake the work identified. The group will then make an informed decision as to the most appropriate materials to use on the identified site relating to the outline design, site constraints and operating constraints concerning access etc.  Construction detailing will then be discussed and drawn up. In the afternoon an introduction to tender preparation will be given and the group will work on the creation of a bill of quantities for the work identified during the first three days of tutorials.

 

 

Day 5: Creation of funding action plan / contract management

The group will be given an overview of the external funding process with examples of previously successful projects where both CCI and Michael have worked with community groups.  The various funding streams available to the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust Community Access Project will then be discussed highlighting the various constraints and opportunities and examples of the application forms will be presented.

The group will also be introduced to project management and be given advice from the principles of procurement to financial management of contracts to making claims for external funding.  An introduction to CDM will also be given demonstrating the roles of contract managers, clients and contractors which may or not be applicable for this project depending on the detailing.  This will allow an overview of health and safety to be given from a construction point of view.