Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, we now have the resources available to help us support a range of woodland maintenance and community engagement activities, including two core staff:

“I am delighted to be the new Administrator for Gifford Community Woodland. I applied for the role as I was keen to contribute to the conservation of the woods as well as participating in community engagement and fundraising.

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Trustees

This year, our Trustees are:

Graeme Davies

Graeme neighbours the woods and he and his family enjoy it regularly.  With a communications and marketing background, Graeme has already contributed to the project over the last few years, helping us get news and information out to the community.  As an experienced charity trustee Graeme has now joined our board to help oversee our community woodland.

Andy Warner

PICTURE COMING SOON…

“I have lived in East Lothian for nearly 30 years. I am a regular visitor to the woodlands and an active participant in the Gifford community. My children attended Yester Primary School and I am a former coach of the Gifford Mini goblins. I am a Chartered Accountant and have been the Finance Director at a law firm in Edinburgh for the last 6 years. I am also currently a trustee at the Rock Trust, a charity that works with young people between the ages of 16- 25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and I was previously Deputy Chair at Arts & Business Scotland for 6 years.”

Adam White

Adam has lived near the woods for the last 40 years and Adam’s children and grandchildren have all enjoyed the fantastic woodland over that time.  Adam has served as Chair on the project, overseeing the all ability path network and the introduction of our regular giving scheme, helping safeguard the woods for future generations.  Adam also provides our link to the Community Council.

Serena Thursz

Serena has neighboured the woods for 20 years.  Her family all regularly enjoy the woodland and her son completed much of his Duke of Edinburgh Award in the woods. Serena’s passion for the woods is conservation but is also keen to see that the woods support the well-being of our community and is excited about the opportunities for lifelong learning that the woods provide. 

David Dawson

Except for a brief spell overseas David has lived in Gifford for 18 years enjoying the woodlands and countryside. Being a science teacher he has a particular interest in educating young people about woodlands and the benefits of nature in general. 

Will Davies

PICTURE COMING SOON…

“I’ve lived in Gifford with my young family for over 3 years now, and we all love it here – the sense of community in and around the village is fantastic. This is exemplified by the Community Woods – a brilliant asset that all four of us, plus two grandparents now, love spending time in; demonstrating that it is enjoyed and valued by every generation. The woods are very obviously kept by the village for the village, and the highly visible effort that goes into maintaining and developing them illustrates that they are intended to be enjoyed by generations to come as well.”