Ship Shape Work Day

The weather forecast was miserable for May's work day but the showers didn't put off our seven volunteers who decanted the cockle shells from the two tonne bags and wheeled them to the community garden to form a ship shape.

Our new upright barrows were bought from Lidl with vouchers they gave us and proved invaluable today.  We also used them to transport loads of weeds to the compost area. 

Parts of the garden are overrun with dock and garlic mustard - both very invasive.

However, garlic mustard is highly nutritious and much loved by foragers who eat most of the plant, including the spicy tap roots - see Garlic Mustard Pesto recipe here).

We carefully weeded in between the apple trees, minding out for the newly planted strawberries and sunflower seeds.  The brightly coloured stems of the chard look magnificent alongside the fennel fronds and the aquilegia.

While we worked, a blue tit ventured in and out of one of the nesting boxes and there were a few orange tip butterflies (who feed on the garlic mustard).

Despite the drizzle, it was a pleasant day with lots of chat and some laughs along the way.  And of course, the moment we packed away our tools and locked up, the sun came out!  Thank you Celia, Felix, Jan, Josie, Louis, Martin, Rachel and Jazz the dog.

Join us next time, Saturday 14 June, between 11 and 1.

Crying cockles and mussels, Alive alive o!

If the weather is kind to us, on Saturday, 10 May between 11am and 1pm, we will be putting down cockle shells on top of the weed membrane in the Community Garden.  

 

We hope you will be able to join us.  You don't have to bend or lift heavy weights, there will be jobs for all.  

 

We might even have a sing-along to Molly Malone.  Or perhaps debate true meaning of the children's nursery rhyme...

 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
...whatever the case, you are guaranteed some fresh air, a blether and the feelgood factor that comes from knowing you are helping your community.

Our choice of aggregate mulch reflects our fishing heritage as well as the eco credentials of the Friends of Cuthill Park (the shells are natural, unbleached by-produce of the UK shellfish industry).
 

For more info read the excellent Acheson/Morrison's Haven: What Came and Went and How by Julie Aitken

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.

Help needed in Community Garden!

We need help in Cuthill Park this Saturday, 2nd April, to weed, move topsoil and start planting our raised beds.

Weather permitting we will be there from 10-1. 

Please bring forks, spades and wheelbarrows if you have them.