Water Of Leith Conservation Trust News Feed

Volunteer activities, clean-ups and a short video

Helen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:09:19 +0000

Our next volunteer task is Invasive Species Training on Monday evening from 6.30 meeting at the Visitor Centre, as we learn how to identify the rivers aliens and plan this year assault on the Himalayan Balsam. On Tuesday 20th June we will be having a work day in Stockbridge to tidy the medicinal herb garden and clean up the river in that area. Meeting at Saunder Street at 10.00am. A volunteer also filmed our small clean-up a couple of weeks ago at Balgreen - click on me to see the link to a you tube video.

Final push for donations for St Bernard’s Well

Helen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:07:18 +0000

Taken from EWHT website.......

St Bernard’s Well project is progressing well, but more donations are still required to complete the project.

May 28, 2013

The response to the appeal launched last November has been tremendous, and a total of £45,000 has so far been raised in donations from charitable trusts, foundations and indivduals. However a final £12,000 is still needed to properly complete the project.

Masons have now carried out repairs to the stonework, including restoring some of the monument’s intricate architectural details. Conservation work has also been carried out to some of the mosaics in the pump room, and the pump mechanism itself has been restored to working order. On the exterior, attention will now turns to repairs to the timber and cast-iron balcony at the base of the monument. Further work is now required to the mosaics and urn in the pump room, and to the statue of Hygeia.

The pine cone on top of the monument was dismantled and taken away for conservation work at the council’s museum collection centre. Under detailed examination it became clear that the pine cone was once covered in gold leaf, and with a special donation from the Inches Carr Trust it has now been re-gilded.

Below: The pine cone in sections is given a base coat and conservation volunteer Georgina Von Hoff applies gold leaf to the base of the finial.

The work to St Bernard’s Well forms the final part of the Twelve Monuments Project, a joint initiative of Edinburgh World Heritage and the City of Edinburgh Council, which has restored many of the city’s most important monuments and statues.

If you would like to donate towards the project please contact Edinburgh World Heritage on 0131 220 7720 or info@ewht.org.uk

Thank you to an anonymous donor

Helen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 10:02:03 +0000

We must pass on our grateful thanks to a very generous donor who gave us £1000 through our justgiving.com pages, we hope you receive our new feed and realise how thankful we are to have your support. JustGiving is a great way to support the work of many charities if you are considering a sponsored activity or would just like to support a good cause. You can see our pages on this link Water of Leith Just Giving

Stockbridge Walkway re-opens after flood works

Helen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:52:41 +0000

Finally we are getting our river and walkway back as the flood defence works wind up between Stockbridge and Bonnington. We may have been a bit premature about Bells Bridge opening as this is shut again but we are really happy to see Stockbridge to Falshaw Bridge open - see photos below. It can also not be long until the new elevated walkway along Warriston Road is open. The entrance to St Marks Park is also looking good.

Above new Stockbridge path, below St Marks Park and Warriston Road - thank you to Patroller Ron Hill for these images

Wonderful Bird Life on the River - recent Photos

Helen — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 09:14:12 +0000

Thank you to volunteers and twitter people for this selection of bird life on the river. We are also delighted that treecreepers are using some of the boxes placed in the Dells in Feb by Volunteers.

Seen the Kingfisher? then let us know

Helen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:46:16 +0000

We are always interested in your wildlife sightings but we would especially like to know if you have seen the kingfisher. We would like details of where and when. Drop them to us via email or tweet @WOLCT We are trying to establish if they are breeding this year...or attempting to.

Flood Works Update

Helen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:39:33 +0000

There has been lots of tales in the press about what is happening with the future of the flood scheme upstream of Stockbridge. Please follow the link below for the offical word from the Councils flood team and the Article in last weeks Scotsman. On the plus side we now have a date for completeing of Phase 1 - 31st August.

CEC Flood Team

Scotsman Article

Paths Open and Paths Closed

Helen — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 11:27:49 +0000

The Walkway route is still open to fluctuations. There will be a 2 week closure of the Walkway between Waulkmill loan and the Kirk gate in Currie from today, the diversion is up onto the Lanark Road and back down. This closure is required to enable essential works to the Dougal Haston culvert/cundy: clearance of the trap area, installation of gabion baskets to stabilise the banking above and surrounding the trap, clearance of the culvert/cundy, installation of a grate at culvert/cundy inlet and some minor path surfacing.

CLICK on me for details of this issue

There is still a closure and diversion at Ballgreen and Belford which we have reported on recently. No light at the end of the tunnel here.

The good news it the new section of walkway at St Marks Park is open following flood works and the footbridge across to the Colonies at Bells Place seems to be open, after a long closure and the fitting of a lifting bridge.

Volunteer Clean-up this Thursday at Ballgreen

Helen — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:04:55 +0000

Thursday 23rd May sees our next clean-up on the river. Meeting at the river end of the informal road off Ballgreen Road, between the school and the railway line at 10.00am. As always let us know if you plan to attend.

Guided Walk - Natural Wonders of the Dells - this Sunday at 2.00pm

Helen — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:03:49 +0000

Sunday 26^th May – Natural Wonders of the Dells

During Scotland’s Nature Festival join us for a wander through the natural jewel of the Water of Leith, discovering history and wildlife of the Dells. £4 (members £2) BOOKING ESSENTIAL. Meet at 2.00pm in the Car park under Gillespie bridge in Colinton, off Bridge Road, walking to the Visitor Centre in Slateford