Midlothian Council kindly donated enough daffodil and crocus bulbs to see most of Gorebridge in bloom come Spring time. There have been bulb planting sessions at Auld Gala park with children from Gorebridge Primary, GADEG and Gorebridge Community Cares as well as at the new Beacon building. It is truly wonderful and inspiring to see community groups coming together to help make Gorebridge beautiful.

Some of the daffodil bulbs are now being planted at Newbyres Village so that the residents who aren’t able to get out into the community can enjoy a colourful display when the seasons change.

Our long term aim is to provide some gardening activities and themed art and craft sessions for the residents as well as develop their outdoor space with more herbs, fruits and vegetables that the kitchen can use for meals, easily accessible flower beds and sensory areas. There is also a pergola which is in need of renovation.

We are looking for volunteers who can spare any time at all to help with garden projects, whether that is an hour a week or an hour a month. Any time you can spare is greatly appreciated.

We currently meet every Monday from 10-12 noon at Newbyres Village to carry out simple weeding and pruning and general garden tidy up. You can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome and a cuppa. It’s a lovely way to start off the week.

Please contact Lorna at lorna.lagerman@gorebridge.org.uk for a volunteer pack.

The Newbyres Garden Club is supported by CGNS in 2018

Blooming in Gorebridge (BIG for short, pardon the pun) garden competition aims to encourage our community to make use of and enhance their gardening/horticulture/growing skills to help the environment, look after green spaces, improve the appearance of the village and bring back the bees. Entry is free with categories to suit everybirdy.

All the details can be found here.

Good luck! Lorna and all at Gorebridge Community Development Trust

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The Trust is delighted to have been awarded £10,560 to improve the landscape around The Beacon. The money will be used to create an edible garden and a community growing project with raised beds. Workshop sessions will also take place to help transfer skills and knowledge to local volunteers and gardeners. Produce harvested will be available for local residents and also used by the Beacon Café.  

The funding application was submitted by the Trust to ensure that the outside of the Beacon was as much a part of the construction of the new facility. We know this is the 1st year, and a lot of the work will be in the years to come. The vision is to create an Community Edible Garden and to also provide a space for the community which will offer educational, training and therapeutic events and workshops for all.

The grant includes:

• Encouraging food sharing and community growing.
• Providing an outdoor learning space.
• A ‘grow your own programme’.
• Producing for the new community fridge (and Beacon Cafe).
• Helping local residents and community spaces to grow their own.
• Offer volunteer sessions.
• Events: a community plant/seed swap, taster evening and a harvest festival, tea party.
• Creating community through caring for green space.

The grant will run until March 2019, if you have green fingers, are interested in growing and producing food, or can help the project in any way please do get in touch with the Trust Manager (dawn@gorebridge.org.uk), we would love to hear from you.

About the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) 

The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) is one of 14 national developments for Scotland created in the Scottish Government’s third National Planning Framework.  The initiative is designated a national priority.  With an all-encompassing remit, far beyond just a ‘green initiative’, the CSGN aims to improve the social, physical, cultural and environmental health and well-being of Central Scotland, as well as assisting the area to meet the challenge of climate change.   

Oversight of the CSGN initiative is provided by the Scottish Government to ensure progress is in line with Ministers’ ambitions, as expressed through the CSGN Vision, the National Planning Framework and other relevant plans, policies and strategies.  For further information please visit www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org   

The Central Scotland Green Network Trust devotes all of its resources to driving forward delivery of the CSGN with a wide range of stakeholders including local authorities, regional partnerships, landowners, environmental groups and local communities, in order to help realise the CSGN vision.  For further information please visit www.csgnt.wqworg.uk/  

The CSGN Development Fund is administered by CSGNT and supported by Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.  For further information about the CSGN Development Fund, please visit www.centralscotlandgreennetwork.org