Blog

Clean-up and Balsam pulling at Murrayfield

Helen — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:29:47 +0000

A quick reminder we have a clean-up and balsam pulling session meeting at 1.30 tomorrow (friday) at the Murrayfield Ice Rink. Volunteers welcome.

Fallen Gormleys

Helen — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 16:24:40 +0000

Thank you to everyone who reported 'missing' Gormley statues today. They have in fact fallen over...no alcohol involved...just lots of water. When the river is in spate and a flood risk possible the statues will fall over so they do not impede the flow of the river or get damaged by large items washing down the river. The heavy rain over the last few days caused a large rise in river levels toppling Powderhall man and Bonnington man. The National Galleries have been altered and will right the statues as soon as possible

Sunday 18th July - Guided Walk - Roseburn to Dean Village

Helen — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:40:02 +0000

Why not join Trust Manager, Helen Brown, for a Guided Walk through the rivers heartland, discover the beautiful Bells Mills area and historic Dean Village. Booking essential reserve your space by calling 0131 455 7367 or email us admin@waterofleith.org.uk £3.50 for non members £1 for members.

Bonnington Blitz - Thank you to Lloyds TSB staff for your help

Helen — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:17:01 +0000

Last Friday 20 Volunteers from Lloyds TSB joined us for a clean-up and vegetation control session in Bonnington. We all had a fantastic day. The group pulled 8 kiddies bikes and scooters from the river, very unusual, perhaps the children of Leith have found an alternative way to upgrade their modes of transport. They also cleared around 40 bags of rubbish and lots of rusty metal, barriers, trolleys, a table and pallets, mind you they managed to get the grappling hook stuck 3 times in the silt. In the afternoon the groups worked really hard clearing back path edge vegetation, nettles, thistles and buddliea, and tackled just some of Himalayan Balsam in the area.

During the day I also spotted a jellyfish in the river - a first for me - just swimming under Great Junction Street Bridge and when we pulled out a buggy which had been in the water a long time, out popped a large eel, causing lots of girly screams.

There were a few tired faces by the end of the day but we achieved a lot, I hope you notice a difference in the area.

Finally a brood in Leith

Helen — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:14:02 +0000

Thank you to Mike for the following good news story;

You may recall that the female Mute Swan at Leith died earlier this year, and we feared that there would be no breeding in the area for the first time in many years. But the male (ringed ISS) managed quite quickly to find a new mate IJY, we think from St Margaret's Loch. By the end of May she had started to lay, eventually producing 5 eggs in the nest under Bernard Street Bridge, and we were delighted that on 10 July all five hatched. This is quite late in the breeding season, but we keep our fingers crossed for the youngsters.

Kids Events Starts next week - book your places

Helen — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:39:20 +0000

CHILDREN'S EVENTS 2010 at the WATER OF LEITH VISITOR CENTRE

All events cost £3.50 per child (Accompanying adult free) & start at 2.00pm until 3.30pm.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL 0131 455 7367 admin@waterofleith.org.uk

Thursday 8th July – Minibeast Magic - Be magnified by the micro world of bugs

Tuesday 13th July – River Dipping -Join us IN the river for this favourite activity.

Thursday 15^th July - Wing It - Life on the wing as we harness the power of flight

Tuesday 20^th July - Funky Flora - Find out just how 'groovy' wildflowers and trees are

Tuesday 27^th July – River Dipping Part 2 - Join us IN the river for this favourite activity

Thursday 29^th July - Summer Wilderness Survival Skills - Hone those survival skills along the Water of Leith

Tuesday 3^rd August - Wild at Art - Join us as get creative with nature

Tuesday 10^th August – River Dipping Part 3 - So popular we have to run it three times. Join us IN the river for this favourite activity.

Thursday 12^th August - Water Force - Join us as we harness the tremendous power of water.

Hymalayan Balsam - An Alien Flowering soon on the Water of Leith

Helen — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:14:14 +0000

Himalayan Balsam is a non-native plant which is aggressively taking over the river. Squads of volunteering have been working from Juniper Green to Cannonmills in the past month pulling this alien invader out from the riverbank before is flowers and sets seed. This weekend why don't you join the crusade? If you see this plant, pull it out by the roots and chuck it away. This method will help to knock back the amount of this plant along the river side and hopefully allow native plants to talk its place.

For more information follow this link

http://www.invasivespeciesscotland.org.uk/invasive_non_native_species/himalayan_balsam.asp

What are you wearing this week Mr Gormley?

Helen — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:11:02 +0000

I think this may become a regular issue on the blog, what are the Statues wearing. I passed Stockbridge on Sunday to see the figure wearing a 'We love Leith' tee shirt and a patroller sent this image of the Bonnington man wearing a bath tub!!

If you want to go Gormley spotting check out the National Galleries page for more information

6 Times Link

Wade in the Water

Helen — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:47:10 +0000

I walked with Antony Gormley yesterday as we discovered the '6 times' project in the Water of Leith Edinburgh. I have made a short video of the photos I took, love it or hate it, go and see them before you make up your mind. Antony was seeing the figures for the first time in situ as well as the press entourage. The first is at the GMA, then Bells Mills, Stockbridge, St Marks Park and Bonnington (sadly I had to get the bus before we saw the last in the docks in Leith). A very interesting day.

Stockbridge Saunter

Helen — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:44:35 +0000

We have a guided walk happening this Sunday in the Stockbridge area. We will meet at 2.00pm at the old bridge down in Dean Village and walking to Cannonmills, we will also take in the delights of St Bernard Well. Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Members £1 and non members £3.50. There are a few spaces left so if you would to join us please call 0131 455 7367 or email admin@waterofleith.org.uk