Title - Under the Bridge No 49 Autumn 2009

RIVER RAMBLE – A Grand DayNo 49Out Summer 2009 What a day we had for this year's sponsored walk, even the sun shone on everyone. Nearly 50 walkers set off from at 10.30, on Sunday 19th July, intent on making it to and helping to raise money for the Trust. In less than an hour and a half the walkers began to arrive at the Visitor Centre,RIVER where RAMBLE they were treated – to Alunch Grand and a coffee Day before Out heading off on the longerWhat leg ato day Leith. we hadA brisk for this pace year’s was sponsored set and walk,in less even than the 4 sunhours shone the on front everyone. man had Nearly arriv 50ed at the destination;walkers set off a fromboat Balernomoored at outside 10.30, on the Sunday Malmaison 19th July, on intentthe Shore. on making Congratulations it to Leith and helpingto Rodger (pictured)to raise for money crossing for the the Trust. line In first. less He than was an shortlyhour and followed a half the by walkers 5 ladies began and to a arrive very at game the 14 year-Visitorold doggy. Centre, Then where there they waswere a treated lull while to lunch we waitedand a coffee for the before rest heading of the now off on 39 the strong longer pack leg to arrive.to Leith.All enjoyed A brisk apace drink was on set de andck toin celebrateless than 4 theirhours achievement. the front man had arrived at the destination; a boat moored outside the Malmaison on the Shore. Congratulations to Rodger (pictured) for crossing the line first. He was shortly followed by 5 ladies and a very game 14 year-old doggy. Then there was a lull while we waited for the rest of the now 39 strong pack to arrive. All enjoyed a drink on deck to celebrate their achievement.

We give a big thank you to ThreeBrand for use of their boat and Booker and ASDA for providing We givesome a ofbig the thank refreshments. you to ThreeBrand Thanks to all for walkers use of and their the boat fundraising and Booker volunteers and forASDA their fhelp.or providing We someraised of the nearly refreshments. a Grand on Thanksour Grand to Day all Out.walkers and the fundraising volunteers for their help. We raised nearly a Grand on our Grand Day Out.

BIG ANNUAL CLEAN-UP TIDIES MICRO – HYDRO POWER THE RIVER FOR SUMMER. UPDATE

Thank you, to everyone who expressed an interest in our article in the last issue about the potential to generate electricity from the . Since, four communities have come forward with an interest in getting projects off the ground in their area. Kirknewton Community Council hope to generate power from the outflow of Harperrig Reservoir, Balerno Community Council from Harlaw outflow, the Dean Village Association are keen to see the large weir back in use and residents of Redbraes hope to generate power near Bonnington.

The Bells Mill Blitz – included the very smelly lade clearing. At the moment funds are being sought from Once again we have so many people to thank Community Energy to carry out detailed for keeping the Water of Leith clean, green and design, engineering and feasibility studies on beautiful. Since April there have been 24 workdays these potential sites. It is envisaged that if these with volunteers, community groups and local trail blazing projects work, other communities businesses on the river, amounting to some 1400 along the river may benefit from this free source hours of effort. The following groups have all taken of power. If you are interested, the Dean Village part in activities since April: • Scottish Government –Landscapes Division Association are having an open meeting to • Geocachers discuss the potential in their area on Tuesday, • University Students 22nd September at 7.30pm in the Dean Village • Coltbridge Residents Church Hall at the junction of Dean Path and • Cresent Residents Terrace. We also hope to have a • Amenity Association special presentation on the subject for our AGM • Tippereth Composters in October. • Primary School –Families • Dean Village Association • Stockbridge Community Council • Cubs • Standard Life Youth Diversionary • Craigmouth High School • Green team with George Watsons x2 Fishing Project • Primary School • The Rock Trust The Honorary Bailiffs of the Water of Leith, • Scottish Funding Council Lothian and Borders Police and the Water of Leith • Green team work party Conservation Trust have been working together • Royal London • HBOS on an innovative fishing project this summer with • Scottish Water the aim of giving young people something positive and of course our stalwart band of cleaner-upers. to do with their time.

The ‘youth diversionary fishing project’ has taken young people selected by the police, to the river bank and given them opportunity to have three days fishing with the bailiffs. They receive training in how to use the equipment, and the best techniques to use whilst fishing. Around 15 young people have taken part and if they stick with the training for the 3 days they will be given the basic equipment to keep. We hope the project will prove to be a success and if so it may be rolled out at Scottish Government Team at Bonnington more locations along the river next season. What’s On Investing In Wildlife What’s On Investing In Wildlife Final Summer Guided Walk Final Summer Guided Walk During the Spring of this year, the National Wildlife Sun 23rd August – Stockbridge Saunter CrimeDuring Unit the (NWCU) Spring invested of this in year, an Investigative the National A guidedSun 23rd walk August from Dean – Stockbridge Bridge to ,Saunter Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) invested in an A guided walk from Dean Bridge to Canonmills, Support Officer to assist Police Wildlife Crime discovering the social and natural heritage of this OfficersInvestigative around Support Scotland Officer in their to assist investigations. Police discovering the social and natural heritage of this Wildlife Crime Officers around Scotland in their beautiful part of the river. The role is funded by the Scottish Government and beautiful part of the river. investigations. The role is funded by the Scottish Meet at 2.00pm on the old bridge in Dean Village, on demonstrates its commitment to tackling wildlife Meet at 2.00pm on the old bridge in Dean Government and demonstrates its commitment BellsVillage, Brae on off Bells Queensferry Brae off Queensferry Road. £3.50, Road. members crime head-on. Salmon poaching is one of the £1. BOOKING ESSENTIAL to tackling wildlife crime head-on. Salmon £3.50, members £1. BOOKING ESSENTIAL areaspoaching that the is NWCU one of isthe giving areas priority that the to thisNWCU year, is whilegiving also priority taking to a keenthis year, interest while in also the unlawful taking a HalfHalf TermTerm Children’sChildren's Event trappingkeen of interest eels. There in the is, unlawful of course, trapping an abundance of eels. thth 2020 OctoberOctober –– WildernessWilderness Survival SkilSkillsls of eelsThere in theis, Waterof course, of Leith an abundanceand eel traps of haveeels inbeen the HoneHone those those survival survival skills skills along along thethe WaterWater ofof Leith. foundWater before of in Leith the andriver. eel traps have been found BuildLeith. a shelter,Build a shelter,find food find for food free for and free discover and bush before in the river. discover bush craft. Cost £3.50 per child craft. Cost £3.50 per child (Accompanying adult free).(Accompanying Start at 2.00pm adult free). until S tart 3.30pm. at 2.00pm BOOKING until 3.30pm. BOOKING ESSENTIAL 0131 455 7367 ESSENTIAL 0131 455 7367 admin@waterofleith. [email protected]

TREASURE HUNT EELEEL

The Pirate Adventure DuringDuring the the same same time time but bu att at a a local local level, level, somesome Starts at 1 pm twenty-fivetwenty-five Police OfficersOfficers and and River River Patrollers Patrollers metmet at the at Water the of Water Leith Centre of Leith for an Centre “Awareness for an “Awareness Meeting” to learn more about the Join this Treasure Island themed Meeting” to learn more about the river and to discuss river and to discuss problems that it attracts. hunt in the Dells. Encounter problems that it attracts. This followed the pattern This followed the pattern of a similar meeting two pirates and local legends as you of a similar meeting two years ago and covered follow the clues to find your own years ago and covered subjects including the subjectsrole of including the Conservation the role ofTrust, the fishing, Conservation wildlife ‘pieces of eight’. Trust, fishing, wildlife crime, anti-social behaviour crime, anti-social behaviour and pollution. It andproved pollution. a useful It proved conduit a useful to bringconduit partnership to bring Treasure Hunt starts from the partnership working between the Water of Leith and Water of Leith Visitor Centre working between the Water of Leith and CommunityCommunity Police Police Officers Officers closer closer together. together. and follows around a mile of clues through the Dells. In June, three new Wildlife Crime Police Officers In June, three new Wildlife Crime Police Officers £5 per map, werewere recently recently appointed appointed in Edinburgh in Edinburghto investigate to enough treasure animalinvestigate and environment-related animal and environment offences - inrelated the for all. city offences – PC’s in Samantha the city – PC’s Campbell, Samantha Sarah Campbell, Potter andSarah Hannah Potter Medley. and Hannah This level Medley. of investment This level and of Family funday, commitmentinvestment by and Lothian commitment & Borders by Police Lothian places & games and refreshments EdinburghBorders in Police a very places strong Edinburgh position to in tackle a very wildlife strong position to tackle wildlife criminals. The wildlife at the centre. criminals. The wildlife and flora in the Water of and flora in the Water of Leith should also feel Leith should also feel the benefit too with greater Pirate Costume optional but will the benefit too with greater access to wildlife access to wildlife legislation and Police resources be rewarded legislation and Police resources via the new via the new officers. However, the Police can only officers. However, the Police can only take takeaction action on on wildlife wildlife or or environmental environmental crime crime if ifit itis BloomingBlooming marvellous marvellous Plant Plant SaleSale is reportedreported to to them them in in the the first first place.place. I wouldwould urgeurge

anyoneanyone who who sees sees an an offence offence being being committed committed onon A A huge huge thank thank youyou goesgoes to all all the the voluntee volunteersrs and and visitors who helped to make the Plant Sale such the theriver river to report to report it to the it to Police the Police on 0131 on 311 0131 3131 311 visitors who helped to make the Plant Sale such a and3131 to use and the to servicesuse the servicesof the new of the Wildlife new WildlifeCrime success.a success We. raised We raised over £950!!. over £950!!. 100 plant 100 hunters plant hunters visited the sale in the first 2 hours, Officers;Crime ifOfficers; none are if none immediately are immediately available, available, leave a visited the sale in the first 2 hours, despite the rain, messageleave and a message one will andcall you one back. will call Alternatively, you back. anddespite seemed the delightedrain, and seemedwith the delightedrange of plantswith the on range of plants on offer, not to mention the cake CrimestoppersAlternatively, can Crimestoppers be used to can report be offences used to offer, not to mention the cake stall. Our thanks also stall. Our thanks also goes to ALBA trees and anonymouslyreport offences on 0800 anonymously 555 111. on 0800 555 111. goes to ALBA trees and Pentland Plants Nursery for Pentland Plants Nursery for their donations of theirplant donationss. of plants. PCPC CharlesCharles Everitt - National Wildlife CrimeCrime UnitUnit

RIVER NEWS ROUND-UP re-surface sections upstream of Dean Village to The Flood Defence Scheme has stalled yet make the path wider where possible and finally again, this time due to insufficient funds being sort out the drainage problems at the ‘Donaldson’s available for the whole scheme. The Flood team Puddle’ near Belford. are looking at various options such as phasing the Thank you to our supporters... works but it is unlikely the main scheme will be We have been delighted to receive support from started until late 2010. A glimmer of hope is that all quarters recently and would like to thank the the programmed advanced work will go ahead following for choosing to support our work: with the work at Harlaw and Threipmuir starting • Standard Life and volunteer Yvonne Carruthers this winter. whose efforts helping the Trust scooped her the Chairman’s Award and us a £1000 donation Bells Mill Weir, at the bottom of the steps to the from Standard Life Gallery of Modern Art, has been the focus of • 02 generously gave us over £600 to buy more discussion lately as it is beginning to deteriorate tools to tackle the wayward vegetation along the and a number of large holes have appeared. river Under the Water Framework Directive rivers • Shoppers at the Morningside branch of Waitrose should be returned to their most natural state voted in June, with tokens, to donate a share of and any barriers to wildlife removed. However £1000 to the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. the importance of this weir to the character and We had tough competition but on the final count heritage of the Belford area is undeniable so we recieved £305. the City has decided a ‘stitch in time’ repair is • More volunteers from Royal Bank of Scotland appropriate. Thank you to SEPA for their advice were rewarded for their hard work helping to and local activist John Riddell for his persistence. clean-up the river and as a result we recieved a very welcome £250 • The Russell Trust and The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust have both committed a £1000 to get our Community and Volunteer Development programme off the ground.

River Blogger Do not forget to sign up for the news feed on our fantastic new website – you will receive all the latest news from the river and have the chance Bells Mill Weir Bryce Morrison to comment on any of the issues raised. So far The City of Edinburgh Council and ourselves we have over 100 people signed up to the news are currently fundraising to fix some of the path email and countless ‘Twitters’. Since we launched issues affecting the walkway from Roseburn to the site in March I have posted 34 blogs, which Dean Village. The planned works will sort out are sent to subscribers in weekly emails. CLICK all the adjoining steps on and near the walkway, ON the ‘Stay in touch’ section on the home page. If you have an article, letter or photo for the next edition of Under the Bridge please send it to: Water of Leith Conservation Trust, 24 Lanark Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1TQ [email protected] How to join the Trust Please enrol me/us as a Friend of the Water of Leith Conservation Trust. I enclose the following payment: Individual membership £16 per year Family £30 per year Concessionary rate (retired or unemployed; students) £10 per year Group (schools annd voluntary bodies) £32 per year Life membership £150 single payment Name...... Date ...... Address...... Tel No ...... Please post form and payment to: Trust Administrator, Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road, Edinburgh EH14 1TQ www.waterofleith.org.uk [email protected] 0131 455 7367