Tools Shed

Solving the gardener's perennial dilemma what to do with tools that are too broken to use but too good to throw away?

This problem is solved in a stroke with Tools Shed, The Conservation Foundation's tools for schools recycling project, run in association with HM Prisons, has given away thousands of tools, given new skills to prisoners and saved tonnes of waste.

East Lothian residents can drop off tools at Dunbar Garden Centre where they will be refurbished by prisoners at HMP Edinburgh.

A special recycling point has been set up at the garden centre, on the town’s Spott Road, for anything from forks and spades to rakes and trowels. - See more at: http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/dunbar/articles/2014/04/14/494753-drop-off-your-worn-out-tools-at-dunbar-garden-centre-and-prisoners-will-repair-them/#sthash.isBJu2oe.dpuf

We've teamed up with SNBTS for World Book Night!

This year's World Book Night on Wednesday, 23 April, coincides with a Blood Donor Session in Prestonpans Community Centre (Preston Road, EH32 9QS).  There are two sessions: 14:00 - 16:00 and 17:30 - 19:30.

 

At the evening session, there will be free copies of Professor Richard Wiseman's 59 Seconds.

59 Seconds debunks myths and creates simple but effective solutions to every day problems from happiness and stress to relationships and parenting. 

• Discover why even thinking about going to the gym can help you keep in shape

• Learn how pot plants make you more creative

• Find out why putting a pencil between your teeth instantly makes you feel happier

We will put some information about The Friends of Cuthill Park inside each book at page 129.  Why this page? Well, this is the chapter called Nature Calls which summaries research which has examined the effects of the natural environment on people's thinking and behaviour - even a small amount of shrubbery can have a surprisingly large impact on making the world a better place.

More info about World Book Night here.

More info about giving blood here.

Heavens Above!

The north facing slopes, lack of streetlights and elevated position over the Forth, makes Cuthill Park ideal for stargazing.

ISS

The International Space Station always passes over starting from a westerly part of the sky, but not always from the same point.  An average good pass can last about 5 minutes.  The ISS looks like an incredibly bright, fast-moving star and can be mistaken for an aircraft. However, the ISS has no flashing lights and it can be much brighter. It seemingly just glides across the sky.


You can find out the timings of the International Space Station pass overs by visiting MeteorWatch.

Aurora

Put at its simplest, a load of solar material containing plasma gets hurled out of the sun.  When the plasma hits the Earth's magnetosphere, it causes geomagnetic storms which we called The Aurora Borealis.

The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are usually seen near the poles of the Earth, but can be seen further South in the UK.

Just like Earth weather, space weather can be very unpredictable and forecasts can be very vague.  Keep an eye on NOAA Space Weather Scalesto see the likelihood of being able to spot the Aurora.

To watch the Aurora, you only need your eyes, just like watching meteors or the International Space Station. Look North and low down on the horizon, it may be faint at first.

Meteors

Meteors can appear in any part of the sky throughout the year (see here for more info)!  However, at certain times of the year, they are more abundant than others, for example the
Perseid meteor showers light up our sky every year on 12 and 13 August!

The key to spotting meteors is a wide view of the sky with as little light as possible.

If this has whetted your appetite for some stargazing - head for the hills of Cuthill Park! 

No more excuses!

Under the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003, if you are in charge of a dog you must clear up after it - regardless of your age and whether or not you own it.

You should note that the fixed penalty fine for dog fouling is £40; this rises to £60 if it's not paid within 28 days. 

You must pick up any fouling immediately and place in the bin provided.  Please note that picking up dog fouling in a bag and then leaving the bag lying around is a littering offence which attracts a £50 fine.


Don't think anyone is watching? Think again.  Cuthill Park, supported by the local community and responsible dog owners, is a Dog Watch area.  Measures, including covert surveillance, are in operation to catch offenders.

Free poop scoop bags are available from most council offices and libraries.
(Update: From 1st April 2015 there is a £1 charge)

Council offices run out of bags? You can purchase 300 bags for 35p from Asda so, no excuses!  

You can report dog fouling here

New plaque unveiled

We announced on Twitter, our plans to install a plaque commemorating local physicist, Avril Fish.

New plaque to be installed commemorating local physicist pic.twitter.com/79rF5nanue
— Cuthill Park (@cuthillpark) April 1, 2014

In case you were in any doubts as to the veracity of this claim.  Click here.

Why not follow us on Twitter - @cuthillpark