Category: Saughton
Celebrating Saughton Park transformation
Man sought following knifepoint robbery in Saughtonhall
Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in the west of the city. The incident happened around 5.35pm on Friday (26th July) at a convenience store in Saughtonhall Drive. Continue reading Man sought following knifepoint robbery in Saughtonhall
Saughton tram death: family ‘shocked by damning report’
RAIB has released its report into a fatal collision between a tram and a pedestrian, near Saughton tram stop, Edinburgh, 11 September 2018. Continue reading Saughton tram death: family ‘shocked by damning report’
Tree-mendous: Friends of Saughton Park see the fruits of their labour
The Orchard Project been collaborating with City of Edinburgh Council and Friends of Saughton Park to improve their orchard as part of a large renovation of Saughton Park. Orchard Project’s Chris Macefield, explains:
Saughton Park has recently undergone a refurbishment, and HRH Princess Anne officially reopened the park on the 6th June. The Orchard Project, in partnership with Bulmers, were called in to assist with improving the orchard that lies within the park. We’ve provided trees, training, technical advice and tools for this community project.
HRH Princess Anne officially re-opens Saughton Park following an £8million refurbishment. Photo by Greg Macvean.
We supported the Friends of Saughton Park members by facilitating the planting of over 40 fruit trees in this historic walled garden, demonstrating how to grow trained trees, such as espaliers, cordons and fan forms. The fruit varieties planted include plum, apple, pear, quince, fig, peach and mulberry.
Sarah Bennett, one of the Friends of Saughton Park members, said: “We started out by visiting other orchards and talking to fruit experts and tasting apples before we selected any varieties. It’s been great fun and fingers crossed we will soon have fruit to eat. As a group we are so excited at what lies ahead – we have plans to plant a wild fruit orchard and organise apple days and blossom picnics.”
HRH is the patron of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, which is another partner organisation involved in developing the park. The royal opening was a great celebration of the commitment from local residents and the groups active in supporting the park.
HRH Princess Anne in Edinburgh Photo by Greg Macvean
There are plans to develop further areas for fruit growing within the park, along with dedicated wildlife habitat zones, in addition to a ‘Physic Garden’ with lots of interesting medicinal and culinary herbs.
To get involved in this exciting project, contact Sarah Bennett on friendsofsaughtonpark@gmail.com
FRIENDS of SAUGHTON PARK
The Friends of Saughton Park are an active and engaged group who wanted to include a community orchard as part of the park’s regeneration.
The Orchard Project have been working onsite since last year, running foraging and grafting workshops and the park’s Garden Party to share the orchard plans with the wider community. The Orchard was planted last winter and the Friends are forever engaged and enthusiastic and are often the first to sign up to trainings, visits and events, which The Orchard Project organises.
The Friends group really appreciate the support of The Orchard Project, which has given them focus for developing their site. They submitted an application for the Edinburgh Orchard Summit this year organised by TOP, and won £400 to improve their orchard’s watering system. They ran an Apple Day this year in collaboration with The Welcoming Centre, a space for refugees.
Shona is also part of the Saughton Park orchard group, and acts as the Chair of the Friends group. She is a fiercely enthusiastic orchard leader, and has attended many trainings and events with TOP, including supporting the Apple Day event at the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh.
Shona used to work on the cheese counter at Waitrose and has recently got a new job with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society to run their grow & learn courses. This change of work and sector was made possible, in part, by her involvement with the orchard.
Princess Anne reopens Saughton Park
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has officially reopened Edinburgh’s Saughton Park.
![Princess Anne](https://i0.wp.com/www.edinburgh.gov.uk/images/HRH_Princess_Anne_greets_school_children_at_Saughton_Park.jpg?w=660)
Neighbourhood Networks: exciting new chapter for community planning?
Community groups, voluntary sector organisations and local councillors will come together across the city this month for the inaugural meetings of the new Neighbourhood Networks. Continue reading Neighbourhood Networks: exciting new chapter for community planning?
Saughton Park growing greener
Saughton Park took a step towards becoming fully eco-powered yesterday with a ground-breaking ceremony for the park’s innovative micro-hydro scheme.
![Archimedes screw unknown location](https://i0.wp.com/www.edinburgh.gov.uk/images/archimedes_screw.png?w=660)
This pioneering scheme, together with ground source heating, will make Saughton Park a fully green-powered park. Continue reading Saughton Park growing greener
Fords Road death is being treated as murder
The death of a chef who was found lying in a city street is being treated as murder, police have confirmed. Continue reading Fords Road death is being treated as murder
Capital Coalition votes through £33 MILLION cuts package
Ray of hope for projects hammered by Health & Social Care grant cuts
Up to 200 council jobs in the Capital will go as the SNP-Labour administration passed a controversial austerity budget which sees £33 million of cuts to vital public services across the city. Continue reading Capital Coalition votes through £33 MILLION cuts package