No 64 Summer 2015

SOURCE TO SEA CHALLENGE COMPLETE

The summer solstice saw the intrepid team of Source to Sea walkers complete the 28 mile epic journey along the whole river. The weather was kind to us with 14 degrees and just some light drizzle in the hills. We set off from Crosswood Reservoir at 7.30am and hiked out to the source which was round 3 miles of pure bog!! We all had a taste of the Water from the source and began to follow the river’s route. Eventually after more bog we reached Harperrig and met Sandie and Bryce with welcome supplies of tea and cake. From Harperrig to was very beautiful but there were many obstacles in our path including barbed wire and electric fences and bulls!! But we made it safely to Balerno around 3.45pm - where we were met by a party of other walkers, family and friends. The next stop was the Visitor Centre in for Pizza, before the final push to . The whole team arrived in Leith by 9.00pm - exhausted but so proud of their achievements. We must thank everyone who took part in this epic event. Congratulations to the following for completing the whole walk: Charlotte Neary, Sarah Marsh, Cordula Klein, Belinda Rif, Roberto Colasuonno, Sheelagh Micheals, Kenny Gunn Russell, Alistair Baird, and Helen Brown. Thank you to Ian Combe and Ben McCallum for leading the first 16 miles. To Angela, Ron, Pam, Elaine, Nicki, Gillian, Marion, Julie, Karen, Sharon, Barbara, Shaun, Heath, Fern, and Holly for joining us on route from Balerno or Slateford. OH YES - WE ALSO RAISED OVER £3500 !! for the Conservation Trust - if you have been inspired by this effort you can still donate via our Just Giving Page or if you have already donated we send you a HUGE THANK YOU!!

page 1 GIVE & GAIN WEEK MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

Thanks to “Scottish Business in the Communities” Give and Gain Week the Water of Leith and its walkway received a lot of volunteer attention in May, due to unprecedented numbers of individuals from the corporate sector rolling up their sleeves and carrying out practical conservation tasks. Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) works with their members and partners to strengthen communities so people can thrive, businesses can flourish sustainably and make a greener place to live. During Give and Gain week they encourage businesses throughout Scotland to volunteer their staff to help with volunteer and charity projects.

This year the Water of Leith benefited greatly as we had teams of volunteers out for 5 days in one week between 11th and 15th May. Led by Helen (Trust Manager) and Charlotte (Community and Volunteers Officer) these teams were sent to a variety of locations between and Stockbridge to carry out some much needed tasks that had been on the “to do list” for some time.

Examples of some of the tasks include; clearing and planting a medicinal garden on the upstream side of St Bernard’s Well, painting metal railing and clearing miles of walkway and access paths in Currie, erecting a 60m fence and planting 60m of hedgerow at Booker Cash and Carry to act as a litter trap, and cleaning- up the stretch of the river of litter and invasive plants.

Over 180 people took part giving over 1080 hrs of ‘hard graft’. It was astonishing to achieve so much in one week and despite the complicated logistics we all enjoyed the experience. Hopefully we can repeat the experience next year as the “To Do” list is already building up again!

Thank you to everyone who was involved, particularly the volunteers who came to help from Lloyds Banking Group, Scottish Widows, Bank of Scotland, Halifax and Morgan Sinal. Also a massive thank you to Booker Cash and Carry for donating £500 of fence materials and Scottish Business in the Community for providing the link between the Water of Leith Conservation Trust and all these businesses.

If you are looking for a worthwhile away day for your staff, and fancy a bit of conservation to bring your team together, don’t hesitate to get in contact. There is always plenty to do along the Water of Leith and our experienced staff can manage your team to ensure that good, safe and rewarding work is carried out. For more information contact Charlotte Neary – [email protected]

page 2 “Who and what are the Trustees and what do they do?”

This is a common question posed by volunteers (and even some members!), so perhaps the following explanation may assist in the understanding of the role of a trustee of the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, and who we are. In an organisation such as ours, Trustees serve as members of a ‘Management Committee’, to oversee the direction and decision making of the Trust. Each Trustee has the best interests of the Trust at heart and volunteer their time and expertise to safeguard its financial security and general good health. They serve on a board, rather like a Board of Directors in a Limited Company, but are volunteers, and receive no remuneration of any kind. We have 10 trustees under the excellent leadership of Chairman, George Hunter, O.B.E, a position he has had since the inauguration of the Trust over 25 years ago. Most Trustees have held positions of responsibility in business, commerce, the legal profession, or local government. Regular Trustee meetings take place every 6 to 8 weeks when the Trust Manger, Helen Brown, reports to the board on the progress of the current business plan for the year and any other relevant matters held to be significant and relevant to the Trust. Most Trustees have also be volunteers for many years and by their action, interest, enthusiasm and experience have been asked to become Trustees. A very brief pen picture of each of our Trustees is shown below, as is a photograph of almost at recent meetings. Top row left to right: Bottom row left to right David Hudson Ian Anderson Chartered Secretary and Insurance Broker (now retired). A Our legal expert, and Founder Member and Trustee volunteer since 2006 and a trustee since 2012. A keen walker of the Water of Leith, The and is Treasurer Chairman – George Hunter O.B.E. Knight of Order of St John of Whitehouse and Grange Bowling Club. Supporter of the Founder Chairman of Water of Leith Conservation Trust in Scottish Chamber Orchestra and travels widely. 1988. Local Councillor () for City of Council and in 2011 presented with the prestigious Sir Ron Hill William Y Darling bequest for Good Citizenship recognising Retired Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Heriot Watt ‘Exemplary Dedication and Commitment.’ He was awarded University. After many years volunteering, appointed Trustee in an OBE for his contribution to sport and work for the 1970 2008. Particularly involved in river patrolling, invasive species Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. A highly regarded surveying and Himalayan Balsam pulling. rowing coach he brought many rowers up to international standard, with St Andrew Boat Club. Bill Alexander Engineer with 30 years in general management in companies Bill Shannon (international) involved with transport, energy and mining. Insurance Loss Adjuster (Partner & Director) – now retired Moved to in 2001 and owns Colinton Arts. Founder born and bred in Newcastle, moved to Scotland in 1971. of ‘Art in the Park’ in 2005.Committee member of Colinton Joined as WOLCT volunteer circa 1998, Trustee since 2000 Association Interests; Rambling, Railways, Canal boats & travel

Karen Morrison Bryce Morrison A volunteer and Trustee since 2010. Operations officer with A member from 2003 and a Trustee since 2013. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage working on the Central Scotland a computer specialist, Bryce is a wizard with all forms of Green Network. Also Head of Business Systems and technology and a very keen amateur photographer, whose Compliance for the Key Place. Chair of Friends of Braidburn excellent work can be seen in our greeting cards, website Valley Park. Irrepressible volunteer! Kirkcaldy born; Edinburgh and many other productions. Keeps fit swimming & cycling bred. regularly.

Brian Henderson Not Pictured - Derek M. Ferrier BSc MRICS Member and volunteer since 1997, Trustee since 2001. Managing partner Hardies (Property & Construction Retired Insurance Manager (Scotland & Northern Ireland). Consultants). Acted as Project Manager for the Water of Leith Scottish Rugby Internationalist, active service in Middle East- Millennium Project which was completed in 2013. Hobbies handy with a chainsaw! Has walked solo from Lands End to include hill walking (Munro bagging!). Keen Hearts supporter! John O’ Groats.

page 3 River News Round Up What’s on This year’s Spring Clean-up was another big success, Sunday 30th August – as we have delivered 13 clean-ups with around The Mills of Water of Leith, 350 volunteers between March and June. It was a a guided walk Currie to Colinton tremendous effort by all involved and as you walk Meet at the Kirkgate in Currie and walk to Spylaw Park the river I hope you can really see the fruits of our in Colinton, discovering the relics of the rivers industrial labours. Unfortunately the work does not stop there, past. £4 (members £2) BOOKING ESSENTIAL.Meet at over the summer we focus on the removal of invasive 2.00pm at the Kirkgate in Currie and finish at Spylaw species and keeping paths clear of vegetation but Park in Colinton soon we will be back pulling rubbish out of this river... Sunday 20th September – sad but true. This years clean-up was supported by Keep Scotland Beautiful - who donated £250 for EPIC EPOCH Family Fun Event From the Ice Age to Doomsday 12,000 BC to 1200 AD new waders and Sainburys Community Fund who - we discover the turbulent ancient past of the Water of donated £500 for gloves, bags and new litter-pickers. Leith. A treasure trail of enactments, activities and hands Both pots of money have come from the 5p carrier on fun, as we unearth the clans, character and crafts bag charge, which is a great use of this new funding of this epic period. Families can join in the event by opportunity. purchasing a MAP for £10. 12.00 to 4.00 Thank you to all who came along to the Plant Sale in May. We had an amazing day, so many eager plant hunters. We must thank Pentland Plants and ALBA Trees for their generous donations and all our friends and volunteers who provided a bumper crop of plants. We raised £1090!!

In June we welcomed back Ben McCallum to our staff team. Volunteers may remember he was with us 3 years ago, during Charlotte’s maternity leave. He has been working in Tazmania but seems delighted to be back in Edinburgh and back on the river. He will be with us for 12 months as a Project Officer - leading Basking Terrapin a youth work programme for which we have received funding, promoting our work with local businesses and developing projects along the river

It has been a stunning season for wildlife sightings. A pair of otters have been seen 6 times with numerous individual sightings on top. Goosander and Swan Chicks have been delighting walkers and photographers We even had a report of a terrapin in the river – not desirable and the SSPCA were alerted! See photos opposite by volunteer Steve Morrison Curious Otter

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 Registered Charity No. SC000015

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