| The South Scotland Forest Industries Cluster (SSFIC) represents the interests of those involved in, or associated with, the forest industries throughout Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Through financial support provided by Scottish Enterprise, it seeks to promote initiatives and ideas identified by those people who work in the industry and to make things happen!
SSFIC is run by industry people for industry people. It meets quarterly at venues in south Scotland and is open to all enthusiastic and dynamic individuals who have something to contribute by way of ideas, support or effort.
SSFIC has already identified a number of key issues which it is addressing as priorities. These are:
- the human resource employed in the industry - the study to map out this resource has now been published (May 2007), click to see final report.
- the economic health of South Scotland's forests - we are looking at opportunities to add value to forest products locally, promote the non-timber benefits of forestry and to raise the industry's profile generally.
- energy from wood - heat and power generation possibilities are very topical. SSFIC is actively seeking to turn latent interest into working installations.
The SSFIC is facilitated on a part-time basis by Charlie Fulton, a forestry consultant and nurseryman based in Dalbeattie and is chaired by Scottish Woodlands' Colin Kennedy, Operations Director, South Scotland, both of whom work closely with Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway.
Comments and ideas are actively sought with regard to SSFIC's priorities. Charlie and Tim's contact details are shown below.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
May 2008 - TBC. Seminar on opporyunities available under SRDP.
3 June 2008 - next meeting of SSFIC, Lockerbie.
Please register your place to Charlie Fulton as soon as possible, indicating if you wish to attend the buffet.
For information about other forest industries-related events, see Forthcoming Events.
Previous events/activities:
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11 March 2008 - Lochside Hotel, New Cumnock, Ayrshire. Minutes to follow.
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4 December 2007 - Queens Hotel, Lockerbie
The objectives for this meeting were:
- To explore the potential for establishing new woodlands in South Scotland.
- To understand the drivers for and barriers against establishing those woodlands.
- To agree broad actions to take to achieve the Scottish Government’s target of 25% woodland cover by 2050.
Presentations:
The Current Policy Drivers - Simon Hodge, Head of Policy Scotland, FCS.
South Scotland Planting in Recent Years - John Dougan, South Scotland Conservator, FCS.
The Economic Drivers - Guy Watt, John Clegg Consulting.
The Role of and Potential for Native Woodlands - Willie McGhee, Borders Forest Trust.
A Private Sector Perspective - Colin Kennedy, Scottish Woodlands.
Scottish Borders Planning Authority Perspective - Jim Knight, Scottish Borders Council.
Discussion and summing up by Tim Liddon, SSFIC Chairman.
* Course materials included course slides and notes, CD with biomass calculator software & draft contract for delivery of solid biofuel, copy of 'Wood for Energy Production - Technology, Environment, Economy', copy of 'A review of small-scale harvesting systems in use worldwide and their potential application in Irish Forestry'.
Contact details:
Charlie Fulton
Facilitator, South Scotland Forest Industries Cluster
Nursery Cottage
Dumfries Road
Dalbeattie
DG5 4NE
Tel/Fax: 01556 612685
Mobile: 07831 476441
Margaret Watson
Senior Forestry Executive
Scottish Enterprise Dumfries & Galloway
T: 01387 245000
E: margaret.watson@scotent.co.uk
Colin Kennedy (chairman)
Operations Director, South Scotland
Scottish Woodlands Ltd
4 Newmarket Street
Castle Douglas
DG7 1HY
T: 01556 502754
F: 01556 503900
E: colin.kennedy@scottishwoodlands.co.uk
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