World Kitchen in Leith discovers Granton’s secret garden

One eye in the rear view mirror, one on the road, we set out one chilly evening in search of an ancient walled garden. Behind us, modern towers of Edinburgh’s waterfront recede into grey skies. Ahead glimmers a pale setting sun. But where exactly are we going?  Continue reading “World Kitchen in Leith discovers Granton’s secret garden”

Planting colour in Newhaven

‘It all started with a desire to improve the vista and environment in Newhaven and fortunately we had the backing of Newhaven Heritage Centre…’ In this lovely guest blogpost, Heather Yang tells the cheering story of Newhaven Heritage Community Garden.  Now over to Heather…

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Share your secrets of success at The Gathering

What does success look like? How does it feel and taste? Who makes it happen? How long does it last? Maybe you have some or all of the answers. If so we’d love you to come and share the secrets of success at The Gathering. Continue reading “Share your secrets of success at The Gathering”

James Grieve, in seach of a local (hidden) hero

The trail ends beneath a thick and prickly holly bush in Rosebank Cemetery.  It’s an unmarked grave which seems odd and sad for a man who made such an impact when he was alive. His portrait is in the National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, a plaque honours his birthplace in Peebles and, perhaps most importantly of all, his name lives on in the sweet and crunchy apple known as James Grieve.

Continue reading “James Grieve, in seach of a local (hidden) hero”

Real green shoots at Redbraes

First signs of spring have been showing for a few weeks now: snowdrops in bloom, frogs in the pond but the real clincher is the email from Redbraes Community Garden. As Julian Siann puts it, the committee have been sharpening their spades for the growing season. Continue reading “Real green shoots at Redbraes”

Stage struck at Redbraes, Parklife in Montgomery Street, DIY pop in Pilrig Church

Grassroots at Redbraes two years ago, this year they have a stage

Is this the fringe of the Fringe, or the fringe of the fringe of the Fringe?  As the big circus moves out of town this weekend there’s an eruption of music, poetry, fancy dress and food (in no particular order)  in streets and gardens all around our part of town.

Continue reading “Stage struck at Redbraes, Parklife in Montgomery Street, DIY pop in Pilrig Church”

In the pink at Redbraes

Too long since we visited Redbraes but made up for it on a beautiful summer day when the Athens of the North felt a lot further south.  We found Julian Siann watering pots of potatoes. After a long, cold spring the garden is bursting into life – or ‘going like a bomb’ as Julian puts it – but now the ground is need of rain as well as warmth.  Continue reading “In the pink at Redbraes”

Onwards and upwards at Redbraes (and a tasty recipe)

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And they are pretty good at going downwards too – Alex, Julian and Jean plus this year’s monster parsnips!

“Hi folks…it’s onwards and upwards,”   there’s an upbeat email from Julian Sian and with good reason. It’s been a great year for the award-winning Redbraes Community Garden and clearly they will not be slacking in 2010. Julian has a  list of energetic plans  for discussion at Saturday’s committee meeting (and we’ve been digging up a Christmassy recipe inspired by the sight of those parsnips). Continue reading “Onwards and upwards at Redbraes (and a tasty recipe)”

St Andrews with a Swietlica swing

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Grassroots at Redbraes during Edinburgh Festival 2008

On a stormy winter night it’s great to get a blast of summer. The picture shows the fantastic Grassroots Theatre Company when they visited Redbraes community garden in warmer weather. Now they are back for another tour of Scotland with what sounds like perfect timing for the St Andrews night party in Fort Community Wing on Monday 30th November – they are invited to give a workshop which should warm everyone up.

Continue reading “St Andrews with a Swietlica swing”