Grange Newsletter Autumn 2011 QX7:Grange Newsletter copy 22/8/11 09:12 Page 1 The New sletter THE GRANGE ASSOCIATION AUTUMN 2011 I ISSUE NO.101 Tripping the light fantastic! Inside story: Behind the scenes in one of the Grange’s most unusual contemporary homes www.grangeassociation.org Recognised Scottish Charity SCO 15491 Grange Newsletter Autumn 2011 QX7:Grange Newsletter copy 22/8/11 09:12 Page 2 The Grange Newsletter I AUTUMN 2011 Welcome to the 2011 Autumn edition of The Newsletter of the Grange Association After considering the feedback from the 100th edition we have decided to keep the larger format. Your views are appreciated on all aspects of the content. It should be noted that not all articles necessarily represent the views of the Association. As well as keeping a watching brief on planning, conservation, environment and all matters of concern to residents, the Grange Association organises events, talks and excursions throughout the year. It is simple to sign up or renew your subscription – all you need to know is on the next page. Come and join us and play your part in sustaining the Grange’s character and vibrancy. Richard Mowe, Editor, The Newsletter CONTACTS Index Derek Lyddon (07803 356200) Honorary President Value for money... John Graham (667 6331) Chair 55 Grange Loan EH9 2ER [email protected] Treasurer Richard Brown Doreen Allerton (667 2266) Vice-Chair explains why everyone in the area should join Graham C Bell (667 1547) Planning [email protected] the Association Alison Bramley (667 5667 / 07890 313430) Page 3 Garden Exchange Organiser and Liaison for Grange / Prestonfield Community Council [email protected] / [email protected] Cameron Rose Richard Brown (667 8289) 90 Grange Loan EH9 2EP Hon Treasurer on why it is vital to [email protected] rejuvenate a local landmark Dan Cronin (667 5279) Newsletter Distribution Page 3 [email protected] / [email protected] John Duffus (667 3682) [email protected] Gleaming with cutting edge design and eco-friendly Olga Franks (667 1689) 66 St Albans Road EH9 2PG [email protected] components – Sofia Leonard (667 2339) [email protected] Richard Mowe continues Gordon Liddle [email protected] his series House Proud Pages 4/ 5 Richard Mowe (667 2567) 30 Lauder Road EH9 2JF Newsletter Editor [email protected] / [email protected] Alert over a planned mobile Judith Reeves (667 5570) Gardens & Plants [email protected] telephone mast: Tony Reeves (667 5570) Events Organiser [email protected] Graham C Bell keeps a watching brief on planning Dorothy Ryle (667 1444) Marchmont and Sciennes Community Council Repr esentative [email protected] issues. Page 6 Margaret Thom (667 5330) Minutes Secretary [email protected] / [email protected] Clean-up on Lover’s Loan: Sue Tritton (667 8027) 6 Grange Terrace EH9 2LD Secretary Sue Tritton gets results [email protected] / [email protected] Page 7 Talking shop: Tony Reeves lines up a series of talks on diverse topics for the autumn Page 8 Grange Newsletter Autumn 2011 QX7:Grange Newsletter copy 22/8/11 09:12 Page 3 The Grange Newsletter I AUTUMN 2011 Why we’re worth it! By RICHARD BROWN MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS The Grange Association has been in existence since the early 1970s, a registered charity working to protect and enhance the Grange area, for all who enjoy its character and beauty. It is the only independent body dedicated to guarding the Grange heritage – based on historic and architecturally recognised merit, with an active and engaged resident community of 3000 households. The Grange Association: IS CONSTANTLY active and in touch with our elected representatives, local officials and community bodies in order to guard our amenities; PROMOTES awareness and education about the Grange character; DEFENDS the preservation and improvement of its best features; PUTS PRESSURE on the Local authorities to keep up high standards of planning and architecture when examining applications and awarding planning permissions in their area; ORGANISES a programme of talks on topics of local interest (free to members), and occasional visits further afield; Arch of time... HAS AN ACTIVE gardening group; PRODUCES The Newsletter three times annually, and delivers it to By CAMERON ROSE every household in the Grange area, in accordance with our The significance of the Jawbone Arch in the Meadows is the constitution. visual link it makes to an era of vibrancy and vitality in industry, This work requires the moral support as well as the financial backing art and science. It is one of only a few remaining public objects of the community of residents. We are very grateful for the support of from the International Exhibition of Edinburgh on the west all our members, but the resident community keeps changing and Meadows in the summer of 1886. renewing itself therefore it is always important to recruit new The 125th anniversary of the opening of the exhibition devoted members. We can do more for the community, and our views will be to art, science and industry was on 6 May 2011. Although some seen as more representative of the whole Grange area, with as high wanted to make elements of the exhibition permanent, the Act a membership as possible. of Parliament prohibiting permanent building on the Meadows At the February 2011 annual general meeting it was agreed that from was observed, and the buildings were removed after the 2012, subscriptions should be: exhibition closed. The whale jawbones, however were sited in £10 for an individual or £15 per household their present position where they have survived very nicely for We understand this is a significant increase. The existing rates have 125 years. been unchanged since 2000, during which time the costs of venue “Meet me at the Jawbone” is a familiar refrain. Generations hire, printing and other administrative expenses have continued to of students, footballers, cricketers, residents and visitors have grow. The Association now has a larger programme of activities, a used the jawbone to define where in the Meadows to meet website and a fuller and brighter newsletter. The Committee believes or play. that the new subscriptions are modest in relation to the work it does to conserve and enhance the Association’s area. We make a The arch, however, is becoming tired. The structure is still solid commitment not to increase them for five years – until 2017. but there are gaps where there was once a smooth surface. With plentiful surrounding foliage from nearby trees, the shade If you are concerned about the upkeep of the area in which you live, has enabled mosses to take hold. In short it needs smartened and are not yet a Grange Association member, please support the up. An appeal to raise £60,000 to repair and conserve the Arch work of the Committee and join! was born on 6 May, 2011. What to do about your 2012 subscription? As well as local businesses there has been warm support If you are a member for 2011, we will be in touch directly either by from local organisations including The Grange Association. email or post, including the revised Standing Order form for your bank. Discussions are under way with potential donors and trusts We’d like to encourage you to pay by Standing Order; however you and local businesses. can continue to pay by cash or cheque, of course, in 2012. Contributions to the Meadows Jawbone Arch Appeal can Otherwise, if we have your details on our database, it means you have be made as follows: www.justgiving.com where tax can been a member in the recent past. We’ll also contact you directly by be reclaimed; Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, email or post, with details of how to rejoin. Equally, there will be the 5 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH 2 4DR. There is also a opportunity to ask for your details to be removed. Facebook page (Meadows Jawbone Arch Appeal). If you are not yet a member and wish to join, please download a 2012 membership and standing order form from the Grange Cameron Rose is a local resident and councillor for Association website, or contact the Treasurer (667 8289 or Southside & Newington and can be contacted at [email protected]) for paper versions. [email protected] or 0131 529 4078 Grange Newsletter Autumn 2011 QX7:Grange Newsletter copy 22/8/11 09:12 Page 4 The Grange Newsletter I AUTUMN 2011 HOUSE PROUD In the second of our series House Proud Richard Mowe meets the owner and inspiration behind one of the Grange’s most distinctive contemporary homes. Simply going with the flow... It looks as gleaming and pristine today as it did when What appealed to him was the way Meier allowed spaces it was finally unveiled to a curious outside gaze some nine to flow in to each other and the way there was no distinct years ago. The garden ground has matured around the demarcation between the outside and the inside. “On the clean-lined edifice which has bedded down comfortably in way back from a visit to the States I found an article about its setting with open views from its all-enveloping terraces, him in the in-flight magazine and then once home I spent and floor to ceiling windows to Blackford Hill, Arthur’s Seat hours reading and finding out more about him. I was already and the Royal Observatory. keen on the style of Frank Lloyd Wright and Charlies Rennie Mackintosh so you can find those influences too.” It has nothing in common with its neighbours behind the high-walls of Blackford Road – some traditional stone He turned over the initial planning phase to David Lawson villas and other less distinguished modern homes.