In 2013, the Friends of Langlands Moss LNR raised £100,000 to replace the ageing wooden boardwalk and the signage pertaining to the importance of Langlands Moss LNR. This new boardwalk was made from recycled materials and funded from several grants and South Lanarkshire Council.
The boardwalk was officially opened on the 19th March 2013 by the Honorary President of The Friends, Professor Iain Stewart, former pupil of Claremont High School and now a lecturer on Geosciences at Plymouth University as well as being a regular BBC Television presenter of programmes such as his most recent one, “Scotland`s First Oil Rush!”. Rea Cris (former Communications Manager) represented the IUCN Peatland Restoration Programme at the official opening.
Since the official opening FOLM has installed over 70 dams on the raised bog and made great improvements to the hydrology. Recently this year the buffer boundary around the bog was extended to take in the woodland area. It is hoped to restore this area back to native woodlands including a bluebell wooded area. FOLM have also initiated a wildflower meadow adjacent to the buffer zone as well. The area is well used by local groups for a variety of purposes including educational with local schools and conservation groups.
Late on the evening of Tuesday 31st May, the boardwalk was damaged by persons unknown. According to the Fire Service, they had taken an accelerant (probably petrol or kerosene) and lit it in the middle of the boardwalk intending the full boardwalk to be completely destroyed. Thankfully someone phoned the Fire Brigade who sent two tenders to the area. They found the boardwalk had melted and resembled a river of molten lava.
After making two fire breaks at either end of the burning area, the fire was extinguished, but not before approximately 50 metres of boardwalk had been destroyed. Police Scotland are treating it as a wilful fire raising act.
On Saturday, 4th June a large group of local people assisted by SLC Greenspace, Community Payback and Land Services removed the plastic from the fragile surface of the bog. The damaged material removed filled three lorries!
The Friends are now back in the position of fundraising to replace the damaged boardwalk. Damage is estimated at £30,000. The group have set up a fundraising page: https://www.gofundme.com/27t7mng and have several initiatives planned, including a folk concert in early October.
For further information about Langlands Moss LNR or the fundraising efforts please contact Maureen Potter either by email maureenpotter@blueyonder.co.uk or telephone 07765363822.
