Dear Friends Group members and supporters,
Following our AGM on the 5th May we have a streamlined steering group of eight to take us into our second year at the walled garden with a newly elected chair and one new committee member to go forward in 2018. A massive thank-you to all those who have contributed time and energy over the last year, and even before this too when we began back in 2013 in earnest trying to raise awareness and safeguard this forgotten garden.
Office bearers below nominated and elected at our AGM, 5th May:
Gillean Paterson – Chair (new)
Isabella Browning – Treasurer (returning)
Mariana Forsyth – Secretary (returning)
A thankyou to the organisers and volunteers who made the AGM day special at Madelvic House and later in the sunshine at the walled garden with many new visitors showing enthusiasm for the historic garden’s potential restoration.
Great to get feedback from visitors and volunteers on the work undertaken in our first year and begin collating all the ideas being put forward for the future design and uses of the land with help from Community Enterprise
Lots more chances to make suggestions in the near future at community events in the planning right now … exciting prospects with the midsummer Power of Food Festival on the 16th June, with help from the World Kitchen in Leith and perhaps participating in the Edinburgh Shoreline later in the summer…
Access to the Walled Garden Update:
The Friends Group position regarding the licence to occupy with owners of the garden Waterfront Edinburgh Limited has been clarified and it gives me great relief to let everyone know it will automatically renew from month to month, as of April 27th 2018!
Very glad there shall be continuity of access to the garden in the transition period whilst the company closes and Edinburgh City Council takes over ownership. A short term lease should then be in place to allow community led restoration to progress.
Incorporation of the Friends Group – our intent to incorporate in the near future using a business model suitable for our needs and registration as a charity was announced. Most likely a SCIO, new draft constitution based on our current aims and objectives under discussion.
Volunteer numbers and new members are steadily rising at the garden with warmer weather and we hope to work on improving facilities to really get growing and spend more time at the garden in 2018.
At the garden we hope to continue on a Wednesday and Sunday from 11-1pm with mini-sessions focused on preparing the soil in growing areas cleared over the winter on the North Terrace, now about 3/4 of an acre.
Planting in the kitchen garden, central glasshouse, wildflower and cover crop sowing in the orchard area regeneration underway.
Restorative pruning of the old roses & plum trees found
Small scale landscaping projects, rustic fencing and plant supports using our available materials ‘upcycled’ at the garden.
Building some seating and gathering areas with good signage to help new visitors and volunteers better understand what we have found so far and are cultivating at the garden this year.
Hope to highlight the incredible impact of the volunteer work in our first season, with ‘before and after’ images and films made at the garden recording progress. If you haven’t seen these short films made during the winter and early spring this year take a look at the website of Written in Film
It has been an inspiring first year at the secret garden and we could only have accomplished so much with help from many individuals and organisations along the way, so thank you again.
Outgoing Chairperson Kirsty Sutherland’s report:
Best wishes,
Kirsty Sutherland
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