Month: July 2018

On Wednesday I visited SHRUB Co-operative a Swap and Re-use Hub in the centre of Edinburgh.

They are currently preparing to expand into new premises. The building above, which is their current home which currently houses the Wee Spoke Hub is going to become entirely dedicated to this purpose.. The Wee Spoke Hub is where people can learn how to fix their bikes.

SHRUB also run an inspiring range of workshops on up-cycling and sustainable living. A couple of years ago I went to one of their jewellery making workshops which was great fun!

SHRUB also have a swap shop (which is currently closed while they organise their move). You can either turn up with something to swap on the day or your can become a member and donate items to build up swap credits which you can then use to take things at a later date.

SHRUB are on a mission to make Edinburgh a Zero Waste city!

SHRUB will be launching in their new locations over the summer and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how they develop!

 

 

As you may know, Granton Castle Walled Garden is a historic green space near the waterfront in North Edinburgh. The ‘Friends of’ group have campaigned hard to save the garden from housing developments, and in 2017 were granted access to the site. Since then, they have been working hard to restore the garden and organise a range of community events and activities with a number of local groups.

The committee wants to make sure the garden remains a resource for the local community. This means securing a long term lease from the council and funding to restore and improve the space. The aim is for the garden to benefit all local people and at present volunteers organise open days, arts events, community growing, pick your own fruit days, workshops with local people, and host outdoor physical activity groups. But we want to do more – with wheelchair access and a toilet(!) the space can hopefully become a real asset for a range of local organisations.

The Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden are currently working with Community Enterprise to engage with local people and groups. We want to learn what local people would like to see happening in the garden, and how we can work in partnership with community groups in the area.

Please help us by completing this short survey, and (if possible) sharing it with your networks/members/friends and family: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GrantonWalledGarden

We are planning a session with local groups on the 18^th July and would be delighted if someone from your organisation would be able to come along. The plan is to start with a quick tour of the garden at 2.30pm for anyone who hasn’t seen it (weather permitting), and then host the meeting in Madelvic House (close by) from 3.15pm.  The session will look at what needs and assets already exist locally and how the Garden can add value and work with other local groups.  Refreshments will be provided.  Please let us know whether you will be able to join us.

Thank you in advance for your support,

 

Following on from the successful launch of Granton Goes Greener, we are delighted to announce that, as from next week (week commencing 9 July) our clothing swap shop will now be staffed at the following times:

4-5pm Monday

4.30 – 6pm Tuesday (during the Community Meal, which everyone is welcome to attend)

12 noon – 1pm Friday

These are the times when people will be available to help you at the swap shop, though the clothing rails are there all the time that the church is open and you are free to help yourself at those times.

All clothing in the swap shop is free!

Please remember that you need to weigh all items of clothing that you either donate to the swap shop or that you take away with you. This is so we can calculate how much carbon we are saving in the Swap Shop, which is something we need to report to our funders the Climate Challenge Fund and the European Structural and Investment Funds.

To help us run this service, we are looking for volunteers for the Monday and Friday sessions (we already have enough volunteers for the Tuesday sessions). You can sign up for one session, take part in a rota or opt to do a stint of several weeks – whichever suits you! As a volunteer you would be expected to help sort out donated clothing, keep the rails stocked, weigh and record donated items and items that are taken away and chat to people using the store.

You can find out more about volunteering with us here.

If you’re interested in volunteering please contact Juliet on 552 3033 or email juliet@grantongoesgreener.org.uk

On Saturday, we had beautiful weather for the official launch event for Granton Goes Greener. Most of the event took place in the grounds of Granton Parish Church.

The local MP, Deidre Brock and the Granton Parish church minister Norman Smith officially opened the event

There were lots of things going on, including activities with the Boys Brigade

a chance to have your bike serviced by Grease Monkey Cycles (who were kept very busy during the event!)

along with childrens crafts, a guided walk with Pilton Health Project and the chance to make miniature gardens with Eco Congregations. Our clothing swap shop has now expanded quite a lot and took place in one of the church halls

There was a poetry reading in the church itself  featuring Rita Bradd, Elizabeth Rimmer. I stood in for another poet who wasn’t able to be there on the day.

There were children’s stories, featuring stories from Jane Edwards, Julian Thomson and Jim Abercrombie with his grandson and his two rabbit hand puppets.

The church congregation were brilliant at volunteering their time, including making delicious soup, baking an amazing array of cakes and making this brilliant bunting from upcycled fabric.