Saughton Park Newsletter + public consultation

NEWSLETTER

Issue 5 : Feb 2015

Welcome to our first Newsletter of 2015! We have been working hard to develop our master plan proposals ready for our five week public consultation which is due to commence Monday 2 March.  Read on to find out how you can view the proposals and have your say.

Developing the master plan

Following on from the ‘Ideas Exhibition’ on 16 December our designers have been developing their ideas further.  It’s all looking very exciting with plans for the old stable buildings and yard to be converted into a great space for learning, volunteering and for holding events and markets.  Public toilets and a new café with views out to the gardens will also be located here. The proposals include a new home for the bandstand, wonderful ideas for the gardens, improved access to the park and much more.  However we don't want to give too much away so you’ll need to come along to one of our exhibitions or go online to see the designs!! The master plan for the park does not just include the landscape and buildings.  We are also putting together a programme of events and activities which we hope will provide something for everyone, whether you are interested in history or horticulture, theatre or art, fitness or fun! Details of how you can find out what is being proposed and how you can have your say is covered on the next page. It’s important to let us know what you think.  The next stage of the design process will be to develop the detailed designs ready for our Heritage Lottery Fund bid submission in August.  Changes to the detailed designs will be limited afterwards so make sure you get involved and have your say before 6 April when the consultation closes!

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Oh no, my body is gone slushy!

Parks for People

Find out more about the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Parks for People’ programme on their website www.hlf.org.uk

Fri 6 Mar 10 am to 3 pm Winter Garden, Saughton Park Sat 14 Mar 10 am to 3 pm Spring Fever Event, Saughton Park Thu 19 Mar 6 pm to 9 pm Slateford Green Community Centre Wed 25 Mar 1 pm to 6 pm Carrickvale Community Centre Sat 28 Mar 12 noon to 3 pm Winter Garden, Saughton Park Sat 4 Apr 12 noon to 3 pm Easter Bear Hunt, Saughton Park

You can also request a paper copy to be sent out or find out more the following ways: Web Page:         www.edinburgh.gov.uk/saughtonpark Email:                 parks@edinburgh.gov.uk Phone:               0131 529 3030

The Friends of Saughton Park will have the chance to discuss proposals at their meeting on 5 March at the Winter Garden, Saughton Park from 7 pm. We will also be attending the following Community Councils to give them an update: Gorgie Dalry CC:  Mon 2 Mar at 7 pm      Hutchinson Chesser CC:  Mon 9 Mar at 7.30 pm  Stenhouse, Saughton Mains and Whitson CC:  Mon 16 Mar at 7 pm        Read on to find out more about Spring Fever, Easter Bear Hunt and what else is happening in the park.

New look consultation poster

During the consultation period, two fun days are planned at Saughton Park.  Staff will also be on hand to talk about the proposals and help you complete a questionnaire: Saughton Spring Fever Sat 14 Mar 10 am until 3 pm   Come along and enjoy a host of horticultural based activities: ¨ Community Gardening taster sessions with the Scottish Rural College ¨ Kids Gardening Activities with the Caley ¨ Caley Grow & Learn Programme Showcase ¨ Craighall Day Centre Photo Exhibition  ¨ Inch Nursery Plant Sales ¨ Refreshments by FoSP   Saughton Easter Bear Hunt Sat 4 Apr 12 noon until 3 pm   Join us for Easter fun for all the family: ¨ Easter Bear Treasure Hunt with prizes ¨ Children’s art and crafts activities ¨ Storytelling or similar ¨ Refreshments by FoSP   Other things are planned for the summer and we’ll give you more details once the consultation has finished.

Bring on the spring fever ...

… and get the bears out of hibernation!

Shark attack in the park?

January and February has been a relatively quiet month for  events and activities. However we did have a highlight in February when, thanks to funding from the Scottish Book Trust,  Balgreen Nursery School  brought renowned children’s author and illustrator Nick Sharratt to Saughton Park when he read from his book ‘Shark in the Park’. Nick then led the children on a wild adventure through Saughton Park as they looked through homemade telescopes for the sinister dark fin of the elusive shark!!

Shark hunters in the park.

Growing the friends of Saughton park

The Friends of Saughton Park (FoSP) continue to grow.  Their History sub-group are busy collecting stories and photographs about the 1908 Scottish National Exhibition as well as creating a 3D computer model of Saughtonhall, the 17th century house which stood in the garden. Contact Joe McGuigan joe.m.mcguigan@btinternet.com if you would like further information about this History group, to attend the meetings or to contribute stories and photos. The Community Garden sub-group has been allocated, on a temporary basis, the old blind garden space which has declined over the years.  The FoSP were recently awarded some funding and are using the money to buy tools, equipment, seeds and plants which will be used to improve the garden.  They are very excited about the prospect of growing fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers and herbs that local people can use.  If you want to get involved in the Community Garden group please contact Kirsten Thorburn kirsten.thorburn@gmail.com. The next Friends of Saughton Park meeting is on Thursday 5 March at 7 pm in the Winter Garden.  Everyone is very welcome to come along.

Himalayan birch in winter colours.

Contact us

Are you interested in Volunteering?  We provide support and training. Tea and biscuits also supplied! Find out more at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/ saughtonpark Email us at parks@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 529 3030

And now for other news

Look out for Lorna Kirk, a community support worker for Skills Path, along with two trainees with mild learning disabilities who will be working in the gardens on Thursdays.  This work will help the trainees improve their skills as well as their confidence and self esteem. A group from Garvald Edinburgh, an organisation that offers creative opportunities and support for people with learning disabilities, is about to start working at Saughton.   Their contribution to the care and maintenance of the park will allow both people and plants to blossom. A group of P5 pupils from St Cuthbert’s Primary School will be planting two large wildflower ‘Living Landscape’ meadows as part of their John Muir Award. Not only will this be a beautiful and interesting addition to the park, it will provide  an important food source for bees and insects.

Food for bees and insects.