May Update

We had a visit from Rona McDowall of Friends of Saughton Park (FoS) last Friday. After some technical difficulties we got started with her presentation and it was really good. The park borders the Water of Leith, which was once quite a polluted water, but now there are many birds, including kingfishers, living on the banks. There is a micro hydro scheme on the river and otters have their den, or holt, near there. The band stand had been lost but was found in storage out west and returned to the park. It has been completely renovated. Glass houses based on the original buildings are in place and it all looks rather beautiful.

In 2010 a parks department audit identified Saughton Park as requiring major investment and a great transformation happened. FoS was created in 2013. In 2014, restoration plans were developed by the Cale and FoS and in 2016 a £3.8m Heritage Lottery Fund was secured. There was now over £7m total investment available. The park was closed in 2017 for landscape works and it was reopened in 2019. The grand opening was attended by HRH Princess Anne and it was featured on the Beechgrove Garden.

Transformations have included a refurbishment of the band stand and glass houses. The band stand had been lost but was found in storage out west and returned to the park. It has been completely renovated. Glass houses based on the original buildings are in place and it all looks rather beautiful.

Other transformations have included an overhaul of the Physic Garden and the herbaceous borders have been planted to their former glory. The walls of the walled garden are being put to good use by growing many different fruit trees, which have been trained “espalier fashion” on the walls. There is a Wild Orchard and the garden hosts many events throughout the year including their own fundraisers. The Cale Spring Show is held at Saughton Park. Donibristle Primary School, with help from DBHS, has been successful over the years at the Schools Section of the Cale Spring Show.

In June, our speaker is Ronan Gilchrist with a presentation called Walk Through Garden Design. This will take place on Friday 2nd June 2023. We look forward to his talk. Also on Saturday 10th June 2023, DBHS will have a plant stall at Dalgety Bay Gala. Come and see us up at Dalgety Bay Leisure Centre.

Did you know that DBHS runs meetings every month of the year, usually with a guest speaker, followed by light refreshments and a raffle?

Dalgety Bay Horticultural Society (DBHS) holds meetings on the first Friday of each month at 7:30pm in Dalgety Bay Community Centre. You are welcome to come along to our meetings and, who knows, you may be convinced to join us. Alternatively complete and send back the membership form from our Resources page. Membership is good value at £5.

If you think you may be interested in joining, please phone, Michael Gourlay on 01383 823425. He will give you all the information you require.

The “Jobs for” May part of the DBHS report is on the tips page to see what jobs you should be doing at this time of year.