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 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 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. Inside your copy of Under the Bridge is a sticker for you to stick onto a jar or tin, to remind you what you are collecting for and when we need the pennies back. If you would like more stickers to get family and friends involved just let us know. Details of the event are below: nd Collect pennies to help us conserve the Water of Leith. Sunday 22 June - Penny Mile Challenge Return your collection jar or box to the Visitor Centre by Fun-day from 2.00pm at The Sunday 22nd June 2014 at 2.00pm for the Penny Mile Challenge Funday as we lay over Water of Leith Visitor Centre 80,000 pennies for a mile down the Walkway from the Centre. SC000015 We need friends and volunteers to join us on the challenge www.waterofleith.org.uk/bigevents/ day to help lay out the pennies and have a go at penny games and activities. Free - if you bring a jar of pennies!

page 3 returns to It has taken more than a century, but finally one of ’s most celebrated authors has been honoured on the streets of his home city with his own statue. A long campaign to have Edinburgh-born Robert Louis Stevenson properly recognised has finally been realised with the unveiling of a bronze sculpture of him as a book-loving youngster. On 26th October, Crime writer Ian Rankin, a life-long fan of Stevenson and supporter of the Water of Leith, unveiled the bronze sculpture in a garden in the heart of Colinton village, where the young Stevenson regularly headed to visit his grandfather, a church minister there. Almost 300 local people and Stevenson enthusiasts turned out for the street party to celebrate the completion of the four feet tall statue, created by Midlothian-based sculptor Allan Herriot. The ‘Kidnapped’ and ‘Treasure Island’ author wrote how he would spend much of his summer holidays in Colinton at his grandfather, Dr ’s house. Inspired by the writer’s own memories of time spent in the manse garden - and the poems featured in his collection “A Child’s Garden of Verses” - it depicts a young Stevenson sitting on a tree-strump with his head in a book, watched over by his Skye Terrier dog. It includes an inscription, taken from his essay collection, Memories and Portraits, which reads: “All through my boyhood and youth, I was known and pointed out for the pattern of an idler; and yet I was always busy on my own private end, which was to learn to write. I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.” The new statue, installed outside , is part of a wider public art project, expected to cost at least £150,000, which will include a Stevenson trail right through the historic village and illustrated panels featuring some of his work. Fundraising continues for this project, please contact Michael Pearson, Treasurer, 42 Pentland Ave, EH13 0HY for more details or to donate.

Nora and Douglas Donaldson - An Appreciation On Christmas Eve Nora Melville Donaldson died, just 7 months after her husband Douglas. Their passing allows a moment of reflection on their connection with The Water of Leith Conservation Trust. Before her death Nora spoke proudly of her personal achievements and seeing an idea she and Douglas had, back in 1985, to turn the former Slateford Village School into a Local Heritage Centre. Nora a keen local historian and Douglas who was then Chairman of the Chesser Community Council imagined the building by the banks of the Water of Leith be claimed to house a museum for the history of Slateford’s artistic and industrial past. In “The Complaints” Ian Rankin suggests Edinburgh people like to seethe about an issue and take no action. It’s fair to say that Nora and Douglas were not always of this ilk. Through Douglas, the Community Council championed the idea, summoned the support of the Council and other local enthusiasts and set in motion actions that would lead to the building being leased from Lothian Regional Council. The initial proposal for a Slateford Heritage Centre broadened to become The Water of Leith Heritage Centre. In 1988 Nora signed, in front of witnesses, the founding document of The Water of Leith Conservation Trust in which she agreed, along with six other people, to be one of our original Trustees. The document set out the principles by which the trust would manage, fund, and collaborate to develop the Heritage Centre. Nora’s and Douglas’s initial idea and action, paved the way for our organisation to evolve and for the school to become the exciting Visitor Centre we have today. Our condolences are with Neil, (Nora and Douglas’s son) and the rest of their friends and family.

page 4 Spring Walks and Events The Horrid History of the SUNDAY 23rd MARCH – 2.00pm Water of Leith – Geological Walk - Slateford and the Dells with Beverly Bergman, Edinburgh was celebrated in style Geological Society This walk in the Dells will provide an opportunity to see many of its geological features including Carboniferous sediments, glacial features and fossils. Meet at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre at 2.00pm. Walk of up to 2 miles, mainly on paths. Wear warm clothes and walking boots or sturdy shoes. Booking Essential, £2 member / £4 non members.

Sunday 6th April – River Clean-Up. Join our volunteer team for this river clean-up day, wear old clothes. Meet at 10.00am at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre. FREE.

Monday 21st April – The John Muir Way Opening Celebration Join us and the City of Edinburgh Council Natural Heritage Service to celebrate the opening of the The Water of Leith has a turbulent and amazing new coast-to-coast John Muir Way.Following a short history and on Sunday 22nd September we hosted ceremony you can choose to stay and join in some a special event to celebrate the river’s gruesome hands-on family fun with the WoLCT or instead join past. Over 250 visitors journeyed back though 1000 the Natural Heritage Service on a guided walk of the years of life by the river. Volunteers and staff created a treasure trail of enactments, activities and hands- route between the Water of Leith Visitor Centre and on fun for families to enjoy. These included: Corstorphine Hill Tower, a distance of approximately • The Victorian Classroom. 6km. Free Event. No booking is required for the family fun, but please reserve a space on the walk • Waulking and grinding at the Mill. by calling the Natural Heritage Service on 0131 529 • Staging a Jabobite battle re-enactment. 2401. • Visiting the Age of Enlightenment Grotto. • Collecting leeches for the doctor. Saturday 10th May – PLANT SALE • Laying siege with Cromwell to Redhall Castle. Visit our now famous annual plant sale and pick • Visiting the Witch and the Stocks. up a bargain. Doors open at 10.00am at the Visitor • Centre. 50p admission donation. And having a go at traditional agricultural activities including haymaking and ‘gong’ farming!! th Sun 25 May Natural Wonders of the Dells We even had a highwayman lurking around the During Scotland’s Nature Festival join us for a Dells trying to steal the rewards the groups collected wander through the natural jewel of the Water of for trying out all the activities. We are so lucky our Leith, discovering history, flora and fauna of the Volunteers and Staff are willing to act up in this way Dells. £4 (members £2) BOOKING ESSENTIAL. – it was fun and educational. Meet at 2.00pm in the Visitor Centre in Slateford

CHILDREN’S EASTER EVENTS £4 per child & start at 2.00pm until 3.30pm. BOOKING ESSENTIAL 0131 455 7367 [email protected] Tuesday 8th April – Blooming Marvellous Bursting with life and fun, join us for this spring themed craft session Tuesday 15th April – Egg-a-thon Test the strength of your egg in the Water of Leith Egg Commonwealth Games – Easter egg themed fun and games

page 5 Update from the Classroom Welcome Emily, Goodbye Tyler 2013 was another busy year for school visits at the In October we were delighted to welcome Emily Visitor Centre with more and more classes pulling Sanderson to our team. Funded by the Clydesdale on their wellies and getting out of the classroom and Bank Spirit of the Community Award, she will be on to the river. From March’s surprise snowstorm to joining us for 2 days a week to focus on engaging June’s blazing sunshine, hundreds of Edinburgh and young people and community groups in our work and outer Lothian school children from P2 to S5 ventured helping to run the new ‘Hit Squad’ team who meet outdoors to make the Dells and the river their outdoor weekly to carry out small tasks and clean-ups along classroom. the river. In December we also said ‘cheerio’ to Tyler Thanks to the new curriculum in Scotland, the who has been with the Trust for 9 months working on Curriculum for Excellence, outdoor and experiential placement with us under the Community Jobs Fund learning has become an integral part of our children’s – a programme aiming to give work experiences and education. As well as our rivers and woodlands training to young people – he will be missed. programme, more schools have been signing up for the day long Jacobite workshop in which classes follow in the footsteps of a Jacobite soldier. Through guided drama activities, they greet their fearless leader Bonnie Prince Charlie by the river, before heading off into the woods to build shelters. They mime out burying the Arisaig gold and, finally, re- enact battle tactics from Culloden. It’s amazing to see even the most reluctant historians marching back to the Centre, with standard in hand! For Scotland’s senior stage students, the new curriculum has brought new exam qualifications, now called the ‘Nationals,’ to replace Standard Grades for River News Roundup...... students from S4 upwards. In response to requests • There is only one path closure continuing into from Edinburgh high schools, we are developing a 2014, please follow the diversion at walkway National 5 Rivers and Water field studies programme upstream of Dean Village where students measure the river velocity, graph out • Sections of the Walkway through the Dells and the river bed and sample the water quality. Back at near Redbraes will be upgraded in the coming the Centre, they find out more about conservation, months as part of a significant investment by City land use, and environmental issues facing our river. of Edinburgh Council. If you are aware of any The students later analyse the data they collected other sections of path which could benefit from on the Water of Leith in exam conditions as part of some upgrading works please contact us. their final assessment. We’ve received some really • During the Christmas period we were delighted positive feedback from teachers and high school to receive 4 separate sightings of a pair of otters students on our new programme and are very using the river. And a number of single sighting thankful to Geography teacher Kirsteen Scott from since of a small hungry female, will we be treated Westerhailes Education Centre for partnering with us to pups in a couple of months or so? Thank you to on its development. Ben Anderson for this wonderful image. (above) 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 admin@waterofleith.org.uk 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 admin@waterofleith.org.uk 0131 455 7367 Registered Charity No. SC000015

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