Friday 21 February 2014

Help us spread the word!


The Friends of Cuthill Park would greatly appreciate your help in spreading the word about Cuthill Park, Prestonpans, a tranquil open space and community garden that is sadly not as well-known or as well-used as it could be.

In the Community Garden, there are currently a limited number of raised beds, of various dimensions, available to community groups or families, who wish to grow their own produce.

Alternatively, for people who prefer to garden in the company of others, the Friends have frequent work days where people can weed, plant or build while making new friends– no gardening experience necessary.

Spanning 1.6Ha, the slopes of the park form a natural ampitheatre, and makes the park a great venue for open air performances, educational workshops, sporting activities and community events.

Cuthill Park is one of the few remaining large green spaces in Prestonpans and, with its slopes, wooded areas and views across the Firth of Forth, it is a perfect place for contemplation and relaxation.

On Saturday 8th March (between 2 and 4 p.m.) there will be a community tree planting event - all welcome.

The Friends of Cuthill Park was set up in 2007 (Scottish Charity Number SC040402) with the aim of improving the park, increasing visitor numbers, improving the heath and wellbeing of local residents and increasing the biodiversity of the local area. Meetings are informal and new members are very welcome and much needed.

Please share this information with your groups and mailing lists.

We hope to see you in the park soon!
Kind regards
The Friends of Cuthill Park

Further information:
Location: Access from Prestongrange Road, Prestonpans (near Bankfoot)
Email: friendsofcuthillpark@hotmail.com (ask to be added to the mailing list)
Twitter: @cuthillpark

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Friends needed to plant a fedge!

What: Community Tree Planting event
When: Saturday 8 March 2-4pm
Where: Community Garden, Cuthill Park, off Prestongrange Road, Prestonpans

The Friends of Cuthill Park group is looking for people to join them at their tree planting event in the Community Garden on Saturday 8 March from 2pm until 4pm.

The group recently received a free pack of 420 trees from the Woodland Trust, and is looking for help to plant them.

The trees, all native broadleaved species, will grow into a flourishing hedge bordering the community garden where the Friends, together with members from the local Co-op, have built raised beds. 

The group applied for a tree pack, from the Woodland Trust to enhance the park and enrich the local environment while creating new homes for wildlife. It is also hoped that this "fedge" will act as a deterrent to dogs fouling in the community garden, which has been a long-term problem in the park.  If you’re free on Saturday you could join the group, making your area greener and bringing all the benefits trees have to offer to your surroundings. Trees provide oxygen, lock up harmful carbon, trap pollutants to give us cleaner air and water, and provide a fantastic habitat for wildlife.

Friends' Secretary, Carole Sneddon said "Whether you are a regular visitor to Cuthill Park, haven't been for years or have never visited, we would love to welcome you to the Community Garden on Saturday 8 March.  We are particularly interested in meeting groups that would like to grow produce in one of the raised beds."

John Tucker, Woodland Trust Director of Woodland Creation, added: “The UK has just 13% woodland cover compared to a European average of 44% and the trees we do have are under increasing threat from diseases and development.

By teaming up with communities like the Friends of Cuthill Park, the Woodland Trust is working to double our native woodland cover and enrich our landscape. It’s also great to get the public out planting trees, hopefully providing people with an experience they will remember forever.

If you would like to plant a tree with the Friends of Cuthill Park, please come prepared. Wear suitable warm clothing and a pair of sturdy boots or wellies.  Please bring a spade if you have one and bring a snack and drink.

The tree packs have been generously funded by lead partners IKEA FAMILY, Biffa Award and Sainsbury’s, also funded by WHSmith, Wilkinson and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.  Tree packs are available in three sizes – 30 trees (which schools are automatically eligible for), 105, or 420, and packs come in eight themes to choose from including trees for year-round colour, wildlife, working wood, wetlands, community copse, community hedge, wild harvest and wild wood.

To apply for a pack, go to woodlandtrust.org.uk/communitytrees

Notes to editors
For further information contact the Woodland Trust press office on 01476 581121 or email chrishickman@woodlandtrust.org.uk

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading charity championing native woods and trees. It has 500,000 members and supporters.

The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.

The Friends of Cuthill Park can be contacted on FriendsofCuthillPark@hotmail.com

The Friends of Cuthill Park (Scottish Charity Number SC040402) was set up in 2007 with the aim of improving the park and increasing visitor numbers.

Planned improvements include the provision of a new children's play area and the reinstatement of a path from the park to Prestongrange Museum.

In 2012, Cuthill Park was given permanent protection when it was designated a Queen Elizabeth II Field in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.