Projects

FoMBL PROJECT UPDATE 21st April 2024

1. HISTORY/INFORMATION PANELS FOR MEADOWS AND BRUNTSFIELD LINKS PROJECT

Unfortunately the project has ground to a halt again after Fiona Rankin's return in December. A promised meeting never materialised. We still hold funds for this project but I am not working on it until I hear from EWH.

2. PLAYGROUNDS

The new log house and wooden train were successfully installed and so far have been a big success with plenty of local appreciation. The funds of £7700 have now been transferred to CEC with the required signage still to be finalised and fixed to railings.

The archimedes screw water feature is due to be installed at the East Meadows playground after breaking down over 8 years ago.

New toddlers' playground in Bruntsfield Links

3. BENCHES FoMBL Bench project

The third bench has now been successfully restored with plaque to Greg Michelson's parents. Greg is a long term FoMBL member and provided his own funds to restore the bench. The joiner was Richard Ryrko who restored the previous two benches. It is hoped he will have the opportunity to restore more benches.

The 2 new wooden benches installed opposite James Gillespie's school continue to be very popular.

4. TREE GROUP

The Tree group has been very active during the autumn and winter with a steady group of regular volunteers turning up every Friday as well as over the two weeks of planting with schoolchildren in January.

Tree planting at Bruntsfield Links in January/February

The planting of 14 new trees has now completed the new avenue (Whitehouse Loan to Bruntsfield Terrace) which we started last winter. A further 36 were planted throughout Bruntsfield Links.

Trees and bushes supplied by various sources have been planted at the Toddlers' playpark adjacent to the tennis courts as well as at the existing copse next to the East playground.

Major tree and bush planting at SW Bruntsfield Links organised and completed by FoMBL, James Gillespies and CEC Parks (David Kyles and Peter Davidson with other staff)

Around 2000 tree and bush plugs were planted during some pretty cold weather by about 300 children and teachers from James Gillespies primary and secondary as well as pupils from Bruntsfield primary.

Thanks to many volunteers including Martin, Mihaela, Neil, Clive, Alistair, Alastair and Ion.

We are planting close to achieve a dense hedge/copse where the public can't easily enter (like a normal field hedge) The result will provide a habitat for birds and insect life as well as all the microorganisms which will flourish within a biodiverse system.

Berry/fruit and nut producing trees such as rowan, alder, hazel and crab apple will grow above the bushes (holly, dog rose, elder, hawthorn, blackthorn etc) to provide birds with essential food as well as a safe place to survey the food below.

In addition such planting absorbs huge amounts of carbon dioxide which will be of particular relevance alongside the highly polluting Bruntsfield Place. Dense copses will provide some shelter from prevailing winds.

A further 400 trees and bushes were planted in March.

The Friday Tree Group followed up by completing the mulching off all newly planted trees and bushes. Further mulching of most of the young trees was carried out by FoMBL member Alistair Cant who also mapped the planted trees throughout the Links and Meadows.

Along with David Kyles (CEC Parks officer) we plan to follow the CEC 2022-2027 Biodiversity Action Plan and create more areas of miniforest, dense copse/hedgerow and more areas of relaxed mowing (allowing grass to grow taller especially between trees.) This will be shown on proposal maps to follow in the coming years.

5 WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

Links fenced area The meadow was cut by David Kyles and raked by volunteers in November. Further turf digging and seeding was carried out in April along with bush and tree planting along the perimeter.

Leamington Walk wildflower meadow

Tim Duffy and David Kyles organised raking of meadow as well as planting hundreds of bulbs by volunteers managed by Alison Carr alongside Melville Drive in November so many thanks to all their hard work

6 TREE, BUSH and wildflower maintenance

Over the years we have struggled with watering young trees but at last we have agreement to install a water tap at Bruntsfield toilets along with new tool store at James Gillespie's school. This means the water bowser can be kept much nearer to the large number of newly planted trees and bushes which will require watering over the next few years

7. MONTHLY SATURDAY VOLUNTEERS

Alison Carr has continued to lead the volunteers on last Saturday of the month but more volunteers are needed.Volunteers have managed to clear many benches of weeds and undergrowth, collected a large amount of litter and carried out many worthwhile tasks. A big thank you to Alison Carr for leading the teams.

8. BIRD BOX WORK

In November Keith Gifford and his team removed and inspected/cleaned 21 bird boxes. His report on the findings will be made available in due course. Many thanks to Keith and team for carrying out this important work.

9. FUTURE PROJECTS

table-tennis table for South Links.
tree maintenance
wooden bench restoration
new stores at Bruntsfield toilets, James Gillespie's and East Meadows toilets
New exercise equipment
Tree labels fixed to mesh
New notices for volunteers

Neil Roger 22nd April 2024

FOMBL PROJECT UPDATE 21st October 2023

1. HISTORY/INFORMATION PANELS FOR MEADOWS AND BRUNTSFIELD LINKS PROJECT

After Neil Roger contacted Edinburgh World Heritage director in April, Silke Schneider was appointed to complete the panel project and NR/GC provided her with a complete update. So far she has been very thorough and Graeme and I are pleased with how the project has started to get going again. There are no firm dates for completion but we hope to learn more soon.

2. PLAYGROUNDS

installation date for new log playhouse and train at S.Links has been confirmed by Alan Grevers (CEC playgrounds officer) This equipment was delivered last year after funding raised by FoMBL and expected to be installed week commencing 23rd October.

NR still to meet playground officer to discuss new equipment proposed for East (Magnet) and Links Playgrounds due to old equipment deemed unsafe. Archimedes screw water feature still to be installed but some ordered equipment has been lost. Due to onset of winter the equipment may be installed in the Spring if located.

3. BENCHES FoMBL Bench project

A FoMBL member has offered to fund the restoration of another wooden bench situated at the toddlers' playground in the Meadows. He has now donated funds and this bench is being restored. FoMBL have now restored 3 wooden benches and provided 2 new ones (CEC community grant)

The 2 new wooden benches installed opposite James Gillespie's school continue to be very popular.

4. TREE GROUP

Tree planting in the autumn

7 new trees are proposed for completion of a new avenue continuing from Warrender Park Road. Funding has been allocated for new trees to be planted along Melville Drive and we are awaiting approval from CEC forestry. Approval has not been given so these trees will have to planted in the early spring after cable detectors have cleared the site.

Replacement of dead trees

Approval has been given to replace many young trees which have died due to lack of watering. Tree group has now planted over 10 smaller trees to replace dead trees and will continue this planting program throughout the years 23/24

Tree watering

Over 40 trees planted at South Links and the Meadows have been regularly watered by FoMBL TREE GROUP. Thanks to regular waterers Benet Haughton, Martin Howorth and Alastair Philp with help from Mihaela, Anka Bremer, Keith Gifford, Amanda Lake, Felix Lake, Oliver Roger, Mr and Mrs Braunholtz.

Post restoration

FoMBL tree group have reclaimed over 100 posts which have rotted at the soil ends. The rotten ends have been cut off and sharpened with preservative applied. This has saved CEC a large sum of money! Rotten posts are normally discarded by the council.

Water Bowsers

FoMBL have purchased a second water bowser which we hope can be stored in a new store at the Bruntsfield public toilets. We hope to install a second store at the East public toilets giving us water facilities at three locations throughout the Meadows and BL.

5 WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

Links fenced area

Big thanks to Amanda Lake for organising a clearing of nettles and thistles along the perimeter railings last month to avoid the whole length being sprayed with glyphosate by CEC parks. (now banned)

New notices to advertise our work still proposed

Meadow areas to be cut by CEC parks at end of October and raked by volunteers.

Leamington Walk wildflower meadow

Tim Duffy acquired hundreds of plugs which were planted on 29th July. This meadow to be cut by CEC Parks at end of October with raking a week later.

6. VOLUNTEERS

7. Relaxed mowing/biodiversity

Following David Kyles agreement with with mowers to reduce mowing areas there has been a large increase in unmown areas which has made a significant difference to insect habitat and increase in low level flowering.

8. BIRD ENCLAVES/hedgerow/copse planting

FoMBL have now had agreement to establish 2 new bird enclaves at toddlers' playground next to tennis courts and at the fenced Links wildflower meadow. Low bushes including hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn, juniper and dog rose have been ordered for autumn planting. David Kyles has now linked with James Gillespie's school to involve children with planting areas of low bushes and trees at South Links opposite the school. FoMBL to assist. Funding by Million Trees project.

9. FUTURE PROJECTS

table-tennis table for South Links.
tree planting in autumn and spring
bird enclave in autumn
wooden bench restoration
new stores at Bruntsfield toilets and East Meadows toilets
New exercise equipment

Neil Roger 21st Oct 2023

FOMBL PROJECT UPDATE 4 September 2023

1. HISTORY/INFORMATION PANELS FOR MEADOWS AND BRUNTSFIELD LINKS PROJECT

2. PLAYGROUNDS

Installation date for new log playhouse and train at S.Links has still not been confirmed by Alan Grevers (CEC playgrounds officer) This equipment was delivered last year after funding raised by FoMBL.

NR still to meet playground officer to discuss new equipment proposed for East and Links Playgrounds due to old equipment deemed unsafe. Archimedes screw water feature still to be repaired.

3. BENCHES FoMBL Bench project

A FoMBL member has offered to fund the restoration of another wooden bench situated at the toddlers' playground in the Meadows.

The 2 new wooden benches installed opposite James Gillespie's school continue to be very popular.

4. TREE GROUP

Tree planting in the autumn

7 new trees are proposed for completion of a new avenue continuing from Warrender Park Road. Funding has been allocated for new trees to be planted along Melville Drive and we are awaiting approval from CEC forestry.

Replacement of dead trees

Approval has been given to replace many young trees which have died due to lack of watering

Tree watering

Water Bowsers

We now have had agreement to store the bowser in the Pavilion store and David Kyles is looking into the provision of a store at the Bruntsfield toilets to store another bowser to serve the Links.
Funding to be sought to purchase up to two new bowsers.
We have had a lot of support and donations from the public.

5 WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

Links fenced area

Volunteers have been tending to the wildflower meadow regularly over the summer and we had a good showing of oxeye daisy, red and white campion, yellow rattle, self heal, wood betony, knapweed, vetch, cornflower etc.
Big thanks to Amanda Lake for organising a clearing of nettles and thistles along the perimeter railings last month to avoid the whole length being sprayed with glyphosate by CEC parks. (now banned)

New notices to advertise our work still proposed

Leamington Walk wildflower meadow

Tim Duffy acquired hundreds of plugs which were planted on 29th July

6. VOLUNTEERS

7. Relaxed mowing/biodiversity

8. BIRD ENCLAVES

9. FUTURE PROJECTS

table-tennis table for South Links.
tree planting in autumn
bird enclave in autumn
wooden bench restoration
possible new store at Bruntsfield toilets
New exercise equipment

Neil Roger 4th September 2023

FOMBL PROJECT UPDATE 1st July 2023

1. HISTORY/INFORMATION PANELS FOR MEADOWS AND BRUNTSFIELD LINKS PROJECT

After NR contacted Edinburgh World Heritage director in April, Silke Schneider was appointed to complete the panel project and NR/GC provided her with a complete update. So far she has been very thorough and Graeme and I are pleased with how the project has started to get going again. There are no firm dates for completion but we hope to learn more soon.

2. PLAYGROUNDS

Installation date is July for new log playhouse and train at S.Links (Alan Grevers)

NR still to meet playground officer to discuss new equipment proposed for East and Links Playgrounds due to old equipment deemed unsafe. Archimedes screw water feature still to be repaired.

3. BENCHES FoMBL Bench project

Beautifully restored hardwood bench at South Links fenced area installed on Monday 26 June by carpenter Richard Ryrko.

2 new wooden benches installed opposite James Gillespie's school . These have proved to be very popular.

4. TREE GROUP

22 trees planted at South Links have now been watered almost every week by FoMBL TREE GROUP. Particular thanks to Alistair Philp who has pulled the water bowser up to the Links almost every Friday since April. Thanks too to regular waterers Benet Haughton, Martin Howorth with help from Mihaela, Anka Bremer, Keith Gifford, Amanda Lake, Felix Lake, Oliver Roger, Mr and Mrs Braunholtz. Many other newly planted trees on the Meadows have also been regularly watered.

We have had a lot of support and donations from the public.

5 WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

Links fenced area

Volunteers have been tending to the wildflower meadow regularly over the last 2 months and we now have a good showing of oxeye daisy, red and white campion, yellow rattle, self heal, wood betony, knapweed, vetch, cornflower etc. Big thanks to Amanda Lake for organising a clearing of nettles and thistles along the perimeter railings to avoid the whole length being sprayed with glysophate by CEC parks.

New notices to advertise our work still proposed

Leamington Walk wildflower meadow

Tim Duffy has acquired hundreds of plugs for planting on 29th July

6. VOLUNTEERS

7. Relaxed mowing/biodiversity

Following David Kyles agreement with with mowers to reduce mowing areas there has been a large increase in unmown areas which has made a significant difference to insect habitat.

8. BIRD ENCLAVES

FoMBL have now had agreement to establish 2 new bird enclaves at toddlers' playground next to tennis courts and at the fenced Links wildflower meadow.

9. FUTURE PROJECTS

table-tennis table for South Links.
tree planting in autumn
bird enclave in autumn

Neil Roger 1st July 2023

FOMBL PROJECT UPDATE 17th APRIL 2023

1. PANEL PROJECT

NR written to Christina Sinclair who is Director of EWH to ask for project to resume or FoMBL will proceed with existing funds to install 2-3 panels (Nelson's Pillars, Royal Infirmary and Mason's Pillars) No reply to date.

2. PLAYGROUNDS

Contractors still to provide installation date for new playhouse at S.Links

NR to meet playground officer to discuss new equipment proposed for East and Links Playgrounds due to old equipment deemed unsafe.

3. BENCHES

Restored bench at Links fenced area almost ready to install

2 new benches ready to install by David Kyles opposite James Gillespie's school

4. TREE GROUP

21 trees planted at South Links

Next stage is watering and maintenance. Need to purchase long hose to connect to public toilets.

We have had a lot of support and donations from the public.

5 WILDFLOWER MEADOWS

Links fenced area

New volunteers have planted and seeded cleared turf areas. Muscari bulbs have grown well this year and we have marked off areas to prevent mowers cutting them prematurely

David Kyles and Peter Davidson have planted wildflower plugs and cut back docks/nettles and thistles at perimeter fence.

New notices to advertise our work in hand

Leamington Walk wildflower meadow

Tim Duffy has acquired hundreds of plugs for planting at end of this month

6. VOLUNTEERS

Alison Carr has continued to lead the volunteers on last Saturday of the month but needs a notice to advertise for more volunteers who are badly needed.

7. Relaxed mowing

David Kyles has agreed with mowers to reduce mowing areas and a map has been drawn up to show areas which will not be mown - the start of less mowing throughout the park. He has also agreed to allocate a bird friendly low bush area at the playground adjoining the tennis courts.

Neil Roger 17/04/2023

FOMBL PROJECT UPDATE 17th SEPTEMBER 2022

1. THRIVING GREEN SPACES REPORTS AND PROPOSED ACTION-

The thriving green spaces project will be completed by the end of October. Of interest to FOMBL has been the publication of the "Volunteering in Edinburgh's Parks and Greenspaces" which is worth reading by all members.

The lead officer, Ian Robertson, has stated the following: "Our team is currently preparing to launch an open and public consultation on a draft long term strategy for the City's parks and greenspaces. That will be a culminating point to the earlier work with Friends groups and others. We then expect final strategy proposals to go to Culture and Communities Committee in December 2022. Backing the final strategy there will then be an Action Plan for implementation. What we could call a sub-strategy and action plan on volunteer roles and support exists in draft. At time of writing is still work in progress and will have to be finalised based on actual Council decisions about strategy" He hopes to update us after 26th Sept. We have yet to hear about plans for Mike Shield's replacement after he retires at the end of the year.

2. History and Information Panels-

After a long delay Graeme Cruikshank and I had a positive meeting on the 3rd August with EWH project leader, Fiona Rankin. She stated that funding from Historic Environment Scotland was ring-fenced and the approx. £17000 would be transferred to our account at some point. She also gave a completion deadline of March 2023. It was agreed that Fiona would set up a meeting with EWH to progress the project but unfortunately this still hasn't happened.

3. Playgrounds-

Due to delays in supply of equipment, work on the South Links playhouse has still not started.

The parts required to repair the archimedes screw water feature have now arrived and installation is now expected to be completed in the Spring 2023.

Mike Shields has agreed to install a new bench at the South Links playground.

4. Tree planting and watering-

Forestry have agreed to supply 20 new trees for us to plant at South Links funded by the Million Tree initiative. To date Forestry have not ordered the trees which we had hoped to plant in late autumn. We have now obtained keys to the Bruntsfield and East Meadows public toilets so that we can obtain water closer to young trees after planting.

We have recently been offered a further 20 trees to be planted on the Meadows near to Sciennes school. Funding to be provided by Maxi Construction who are building Sciennes school extension.

At least 5 trees which were planted at the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 have died due to dry conditions and despite the tree group watering all the trees throughout the year.

Three young rare elms (Ulmus minor Umbraculifera Gracilis [Späth].) have been planted at the Links wildflower meadow.

5. Wildflower Meadows-

Unfortunately the council mowers cut the whole of the Leamington Walk meadow by mistake - far too early in the season, resulting in loss of habitat for pollinators during September. Mike has provided funds to provide wildflower plugs to make up for this loss. Tim Duffy and Alec Mann managed to rake all the cuttings themselves.

The Links meadow has fared better and a new rope was fixed to replace the one which was recently stolen. There is now an active group of volunteers who have watered and planted the meadow throughout the summer attracting a large number of pollinators.

6. Benches-

A community grant has been applied for to renovate an old wooden bench at the South Links playground along with two new wooden benches adjoining the James Gillespie play area/South Links.

7. Cycle stands-

Joan Carter has been working on provision of cycle stands at various points throughout the park.

Neil Roger 17/09/2022