Greener Leith

Ok, this isn't a photo of the soil in the Persevere Garden, but it might end up like this, if we have a dry summer. In the meantime, Fay, from the Leith Open Spaces group has posted a great update on the amazing progress that's been made already in the Persevere Community Garden. It's brilliant to hear that the fruit trees that we planted some weeks ago are already in bud.

Feedback that we're receiving from the site suggests that the soil in the garden is really poor quality. This is a problem we could solve if we had a van for transporting top soil. Do you know someone who has a van, or even a lorry, who can help? We'll provide the labour if you can provide the wheels! Please contact us if you have any ideas.

A group that is putting  together an alternative masterplan for the Leith Docks redevelopment is to hold a public meeting on Tusday the 15th of April, at 6.30pm, at the Thomas Morton Hall. Led by  Leith based, Art in Architecture, they aim to stimulate debate and public comment on proposals for developing the docks.

In particular, you may be interested to read the comments that the campaign has gathered from other architects, and 'public realm' professionals from around the world - many of them are somewhat critical of the current Forth Ports/RMJM proposals.  You can download the promotional poster for the meeting here.

Our next Greener Leith meeting will take place on Thursday the 17h of April at 7.30pm, at our usual venue - The Persevere Room in the Leith Kirkgate Community Centre.

Everyone is welcome.  

On the 14th and 15th of March, Greener Leith will be planting a ‘Berry Hedge’ in Pilrig park, in a bid to brighten up a corner of the park that is constantly vandalised by graffiti. The hedge, which will be planted up with Scottish tree species, will also incorporate edible fruit plants like brambles and raspberries.

The ‘Berry Hedge’ project, is funded by an O2 ‘It’s your community’ grant and a Parks and Gardens Community Grant from The City of Edinburgh Council. It aims to involve as many local residents and school pupils in the planting of the hedge as possible. Fruit trees and bushes will also be given to local school pupils to look after in their school grounds. It is hoped that this will help local youths, who may never have had access to a garden, to learn about the links between the environment and healthy food. Many of the hedge species that will be planted are native to Scotland, so they will help to encourage more wildlife into the park as they grow.

If you fancy helping us to plant the hedge you can simply turn up on either day between 11am and 1pm. However, it would help us to plan if you could contact us to let us know you're coming before hand.

Alastair Tibbitt, Chair of Greener Leith said:

"We're really glad that we recieved funding for this project from O2 and the City of Edinburgh Council. When this wall is vandalised it really spoils the feel of Pilrig Park. We hope that this hedge will become a valued improvement to this highly visible corner of the park"

Councillor Louise Lang said:

"As Councillor for the Leith Walk ward I am delighted to see such an innovative project and was pleased that the Council could support this initiative. This is such a welcome improvement for Pilrig Park, and brings many benefits, not only to enhance the precious greenspaces around Leith, but also to involve local children in a local activity, giving them opportunities to learn and feel pride in their environment" 

To see where this event will take place on a map - click here.

 Greener Leith is pleased to invite everyone to a launch event at the Persevere Community Garden where volunteers will gather to plant 'old variety' fruit trees to mark the opening of the garden. The launch event will take place in the garden, adjacent to the Persevere Court Multi-Storey Block, at 11am on Wednesday the 5th of March.

Alastair Tibbitt, Chair of Greener Leith said ‘Just as we hope that the apple trees we’re planting will bear loads of fruit in the future, we hope that the garden itself will grow from the neglected green desert it was a year ago, into a fun, productive and welcoming place that will benefit the whole community.’

Already separate plots have been allocated to local residents through the Persevere Community Flat, the Leith Open Space group, and Upward Mobility, a Leith based group that works with adults with learning disabilities. An area will also be developed as a wildlife garden. All the groups involved in the garden plan to get together to organise a series of events in order to bring the space to life.  

Fay Young, co-ordinator of Leith Open Space says, "We are really looking forward to getting involved, gardening is such a great way of bringing different communities together."

Sara Ansell, from Upward Mobility said, " Transforming this blank canvas into a vibrant and exciting community space is a great thing to be a part of. "

Gordon Munro, Labour Councillor for Leith and Chair of the Neighbourhood Partnership said. 'I welcome this opportunity to make Leith greener as well as making Leither's fitter & healthier. Turning this abandoned space into a community garden is a great idea and I look forward to seeing it in full bloom ."

You can find out more about this project, by reading the recent article in Evening News.