Paisley nature reserve transformed by local volunteers to receive £14,100

The Jenny’s Well nature reserve in Paisley is to be further transformed after volunteers were awarded more than £14,000 to continue their environmental work.

Having removed more than 300 bags of litter and all fly tipping from the site, the Friends of Jenny’s Well group have been awarded funding to create wildflower areas and plant bulbs and bright foliage to encourage biodiversity and wildlife.

Picnic benches and seating will be added, repairs made to fencing and tools purchased for the group as they continue to transform the reserve into a community green space.

Matthew Smith, Chair of Friends of Jenny’s Well, said: “I have always enjoyed nature and wildlife and, having a new puppy in our family, I began walking more at Jenny’s Well and it really is such a beautiful location which I did not fully appreciate before.

“There were a few things that I and a number of volunteers have done to improve the park, with very little funding just hard work, including tidying the place up and reclaiming a number of paths which were disappearing.

“This money will help us to make further improvements, and I would encourage anyone who loves nature to come down and enjoy this nature reserve, and maybe even give us a hand!”

The funding has been provided by Renfrewshire Council’s Green Spaces, Parks and Play Areas and Villages Investment Fund which has already supported more than 60 projects with £1.7milllion since it was launched.

Councillor Marie McGurk, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board, said: “The Friends of Jenny’s Well group have carried out fantastic work already and I’m glad we’ve been able to support them as it’s so important that we value the work of volunteers in Renfrewshire.

“With climate change such an important issue, it’s brilliant to see this nature reserve being enhanced and the funding will help improve biodiversity and conditions for wildlife in the area.

“It’s projects like these that make a real difference and I’m looking forward to how it progresses.”

Other projects to be awarded funding at the latest Communities, Housing and Planning Policy Board meeting included £35,000 for Klas Care to create a new playground for young people which would see the current area resurfaced, games areas added and a cycling proficiency section added.

Inchinnan Community and Social Association were also awarded £8,900 to resurface the Bowling Club car park which has provided a free parking facility for the village of Inchinnan for a number of years.

For more information on the fund, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/greenspacesfund.