A TASKFORCE of old and new volunteers are helping to restore an historic glen to its former glory.

The Auchmountain Glen Project is stepping up its campaign to help unemployed people get back to work and make their mark on the community.

A team of eight people are working three days a week, clearing paths, pruning shrubbery and carrying out drainage as part of a more structured scheme.

Frank McGinty, who is the convenor that organises the unemployed volunteers, said: “The team are clearing out all the rubbish, opening up the paths, clearing the bridges and paths and we have completed 100 metres of drainage.

“We have been working on the project for five years but we are keen to make it more structured and provide proper training as well as work experience for the volunteers.

“All the volunteers are local unemployed people.”

The Glen project is a permanent scheme and runs between 9 and 3.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Frank said: “It gets people out of the house, gives them something to do and helps them take pride in their area.”

Eco warriors of all ages have signed up to help.

The oldest volunteer is Bartholomew Dundas, 86, who saw the Glen in all its glory before the the Second World War destroyed the urban oasis.

He said: “I remember the Glen before the blitz. It was brilliant, you knew you were in a garden and there were statues all the way up the glen of Queen Victoria and Lord Nelson.

“But Hitler put an end to all that.

“We might not be able to bring it back to what it was, but we are doing our best so people can walk in it and enjoy it again.”

Steven Murdoch, 44, and his twins Connor and Macey, aged four, inset, are also working on the project

He said: “The kids learn all about nature at nursery, then they come here and work with me at the glen.

“I’m enjoying it. It gets me out of the house and it’s good for the community.”

Cloch Housing Association, who own properties in surrounding area, has also pledged its support.

Mary MacDonald, senior housing officer, said: “We have properties and tenants who live in this area, so it’s in all our interests to improve the place and to support local employment.

“We are keen to back local community groups and give them some advice about donations and funding. If there is anything we can do to help, we try our best.”

Mary says that also as part of their social responsibility policy, the association will make some provision for staff to donate their time to give back in the community.

She said: “They could give up an hour of their time to volunteer and in doing so help Cloch strengthen our links with the community.”