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25 Years and Still Going Strongly!

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25 Years and Still Going Strongly! No 60 Spring 2014 25 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONGLY! ‘They’ say that age creeps up on you! Towards the end of 2013 we realised that the Water of Leith Conservation Trust has achieved twenty-five years of existence, and it seems appropriate to take time to reflect. All journeys are measured in milestones, and there are many which have defined our progress to date, with many more to come, no doubt. The original idea to form an organisation to protect, preserve and promote our little river came from the late Nora and Douglas Donaldson when they were The Heritage Centre in the early 1990’s active members of the Chesser Community Council and lived near the river. One day, in 1985 when Nora was passing the boarded up Slateford school, she felt that it would make and ideal local history museum. (See ‘An Appreciation’ later on in this issue). By 1988 The Water of Leith Conservation Trust was formed and operated from the building which became known as The Water of Leith Heritage Centre. After the launch of The Trust at The Dragonara Hotel, by Lord James Douglas Hamilton, the then Minister for the Environment, the Heritage Centre was officially opened in the following spring by Sir Malcolm Rifkind. Funding was procured from The City of Edinburgh Council, The NatWest Bank, Scottish Wildlife Trust and The Scottish Office Environmental Department among others, and all this was under the chairmanship of George Hunter, the common thread running through the weave and weft of The Trust. Su Miller became the part-time Administrator – the only staff!. An experienced biologist, she was a most enthusiastic, learned and industrious lady under whose excellent leadership the Trust quickly prospered and received much deserved recognition from environmentalists. Another biologist, and founder Trustee, was Graham Priestley who was very much a hands-on trustee and indefatigable volunteer who willingly undertook any task which would prove to be beneficial for the Trust. Not only did he edit and produce ‘Under the Bridge’, took guided walks along the river, was High Bailiff and organised permits for anglers and arranged trout stocking of the river, wrote and published his excellent book “The Watermills of the Water of Leith”, but he it was who later formed an army (now exceeding 100) of volunteers. He became involved in every aspect of The Trust’s activities. Pictured Graham and Susan in 1996 page 1 When in 1992 Su Millar passed the baton to another ‘Su’, Susan Warren, the Trust continued to blossom. Susan was Trust Administrator (and eventually Trust Manager) from 1992 to 1999, but still the only full-time member of staff!. She was a most effective and tireless servant of The Trust who made things happen. In other words she could wield the stick when necessary, not surprisingly perhaps, as she was also a Scottish International Lacrosse player! Like her predecessor, she broadened the appeal of The Trust, achieved much success, and earned accolades for the Trust by her work, all of which was key to our growing reputation. She was instrumental along with Trustees Mike Goodier, Peter Hitt, Graham Priestley, Robert Heaney, Sylvia Dick, Shiela McDonald and Ian Anderson (along with Chairman George Hunter) – in producing a very professional and detailed submission to The Millennium Commission, for funding. This was rewarded with a grant of £2.5 million, and matching funding from others mainly The City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise Ltd. As the principal author of the submission, Susan was to have the satisfaction of seeing her efforts come to fruition when work began in May 1999, before ‘moving on’ to take up a new post with the Scottish Higher and Further Education Funding Council, later that year. There now was an imperative to have a new Trust Manager. Trustee Peter Hitt briefly took up the reins, and then the ubiquitous and zealous Graham Priestly stepped into the breach. He had already been carrying out the duties of Volunteers Officer, managing the Trusts affairs, leading river clean-ups and coordinating river patrols, leading talks and walks along the river and countless other tasks! If you require to have something done, give the job to a busy man! There followed a very busy three years, with development of the Visitor Centre, the completion of the Water of Leith walkway and all the improvements brought about by The Millennium Project. In April 2000 a major flood event on the river, set back a number of the walkway projects and threatened the newly completed Water of Leith Visitor Centre. Fortunately all was well for the formal opening by HRH The Prince of Wales (who is also the Duke of Rothsey) on 24th May 2000. Graham then recruited Helen Sadler (now Brown), in February 2002, as the new Trust Manager. We all know her irrepressible good humour and dedication as she ‘hit the ground running’. In fact she is still running! Shortly after the Centre opened the growing team was joined by the effervescent Charlotte Jolley (now Neary), who joined initially as an Administrator but soon evolved into her role as Community and Volunteers Officer. With careful husbanding of The Trust’s finances by trustees and part time Finance Officer Stewart Oliver and continually seeking and securing new avenues of funding, we were able in 2007 to recruit the dependable Sandie Boyle, as Trust Administrator. These three ladies form a formidable and dynamic triumvirate, and relish in ‘multi-tasking’! Sadly, in 2004, Graham Priestley, the architect of so many initiatives, passed away (see Issue no 37 of “Under the Bridge”). In 1999 the Trust’s educational work took a leap forward when Phillippa McDonald was seconded to us from the City of Edinburgh Councils Education Department. She immediately set up a very busy and highly praised ‘schools programme’ of environmental studies majoring on the huge variety of nature’s wonders to be found in and around Edinburgh’s historic river. She retired, in 2010, with the satisfaction of realising that over 40,000 children had been exposed to her interesting and educational indoor and outdoor sessions. The Centre still buzzes with the chatter of young voices enjoying learning about nature thanks to her enthusiasm and the legacy she left, all greatly appreciated by The Trust. Her work formed a sound base for her successor, Ruth Prince, to build upon and to bring fresh impetus, ideas and enthusiasm, to the importance of encouraging and educating Edinburgh’s young people about nature on their doorsteps. The diversity of activities created, organised and operated by our enthusiastic and diligent manager, staff and volunteers is outstanding and covers, inter alia; Water Walks, Talks and Slide Shows, Children’s Events page 2 and Parties, Wildlife and Wildflower Surveys, Regular River Patrols, Production of Maps and Guides, Organising River Clean-ups and Practical Tasks, Creating Gardens and Habitats along the Walkway, Plant Sales, Duck Races, River Dipping, Treasure Hunts, Holding Conferences, Working with Landowners and Stakeholders, Production of a Management Plan, Removing Invasive Species, Creation of an Audio Trail, Raising Awareness of what the Trust has to offer locally and nationally, running a four star Visitor Attraction, etc.,etc, etc.. Our staff have worked round and contributed to discussions on such important issues as The Flood Prevention Scheme, the creation and maintenance of The Walkway, the arrival (and departure) of Anthony Gormley’s “6 Times” statues and the launch at The Centre of The Scottish National Trail, by the illustrious walker and broadcaster, Cameron McNeish and The First Minister, Alex Salmond. Chairman George celebrates 25 years with a special cake We have attracted several ‘Community Awards’, too numerous to mention, but encapsulated in so many back issues of this publication. Above all, the highest praise and thanks must go, not only to our Members for their constant support, our loyal Funders, especially City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Robertson Trust, and other very kind benefactors, but to our army of Volunteers. Without the generosity of these, not only with their support, but with their time, interest and devotion, we would, quite simply, not be able to function. It is just IMPOSSIBLE to name everyone who has supported the Trust in one capacity or another, but perhaps our longest serving volunteers, deserve a mention for their time, energy and altruism. People like Kit Russell a most willing, cheerful and dedicated volunteer, who became an essential part-time member of staff. Anne Bisset, Evelyn Shirer, Bill Shannon, Brian Henderson, Ron Hill, Bill Alexander and David Hudson (the last five of whom also became Trustees as well as volunteers). Then of course there is also only one George Hunter OBE, who through the life of The Trust, has worked wisely, tirelessly and diligently in its very best interests. He might well still be Chairman when we celebrate our 50th ! Who would bet against it!! PS We are bound to have omitted to mention other important people or events, so please do forgive the genuine oversight. The ‘Milestones’ are recorded in two volumes of Under The Bridge, to be found at the Visitor Centre. Do please read them, but leave for others to enjoy. ile Ch The Penny Mile Challenge M al Please start collecting and hunting for pennies to help y le n n us with this summer’s ambitious fundraising idea. On n g Sunday 22nd June we plan to lay over 80,000 pennies e e along the walkway to cover a mile of the river. If we P succeed we will have raised over £800 for The Trust... so collect your pennies to help us conserve the Water of Leith.
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