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THE GRANGE ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2012 I ISSUE NO.103

The Newsletter

www.grangeassociation.orgRecognised Scottish Charity SCO 25491

CCoovveerr ssttoorryy:: The hallowed turf ready for high season

Howzat!

The Grange Newsletter I SUMMER 2012Welcome to the 2012 Summer edition of The Newsletter of the Grange Association. Thanks to all those

who took part in Questionnaire 2012 in the last edition. The results, outlined on the page opposite,

will help to inform the way we work. As well as keeping a watching brief on planning, conservation,

environment and all matters of concern to residents, the Grange Association organises events, talks

and excursions throughout the year. If you haven’t done so yet, become a member and play your part

in sustaining the Grange’s character, traditions and vibrancy.

Richard Mowe, Editor, The Newsletter

IndexFeedback...Alison Bramley sifts through your thoughts on how the Grange Association performs. Page 3Style heaven... RichardMowe steps through theportals of an unusual mansion for his seriesHouse Proud. Page 4/5A century and a half – andnot out. Brian Forresterlooks at the state of play atthe Carlton Cricket Club.Pages 6/7Protest can pay off: John Graham delivers the score in the latest round of planning issues.Page 8A verdant sanctuary on theedge of the Grange couldbe under threat... Sue Tritton sounds an earlywarning. Page 10Delving in to the past andpresent... Joanne Lamb ona new initiative. Page 10Hotting up in the garden...Alison Bramley digs in forsummer. Page 11The man with the goldengun barrel: Tony Reevesgives a heads-up on autumn talks Page 12

CONTACTSDerek Lyddon (667 2266) 31 Blackford Road EH9 2DT Honorary President [email protected]

John Graham (667 6331) Chair 55 Grange Loan EH9 2ER [email protected]

Doreen Allerton (0780 3356200) Vice-Chair 61b/4 St Albanʼs Road EH9 2LS

Sue Tritton (667 8027) 6 Grange Terrace EH9 2LD Hon [email protected] / [email protected]

Richard Brown (667 8289) 90 Grange Loan EH9 2EP Hon [email protected]

Alison Bramley (667 5667) 5 Findhorn Place EH9 2JR Garden Group / Community [email protected] / [email protected]

Dan Cronin (667 5279) Newsletter [email protected] / [email protected]

Olga Franks (667 1689) 66 St Albans Road EH9 2PG [email protected]

Tony Reeves (667 5570) 125a Grange Loan EH9 2HB Events Organiser [email protected]

Margaret Thom (667 5330) Minutes [email protected] / [email protected]

Alastair Keatinge (332 9448) 15 Fountainhall Road EH9 2LN [email protected]

Roger Kellett (667 0300) 10 Wyvern Park EH9 2JY [email protected]

Adam Rennie (668 4992) 7 Grange Terrace EH9 2LD [email protected]

Dorothy Ryle (667 1444) Community Liaison / Planning [email protected]

Richard Mowe (667 2567) 30 Lauder Road EH9 2JF Newsletter [email protected] / [email protected]

ALISON BRAMLEY: I lived in Newington when Ifirst came to live in Scotland in the 70s. When Icame back 16 years ago with two children wefound a lovely house in Findhorn Place. It was inneed of refurbishment but it had an extensivewalled garden facing west. We had an extensionbuilt on the back of the house by Inscape Joinery(architect Oliver Chapman).We were always Grange Association membersand read the Newsletter with great interest. Thelate Alistair Scott who worked for the ForestryCommission, advised me on trees for my gardenand as a result you can see the snake barkmaples in the front. He suggested the daphnebholua which uplifts us with its blossoms andscents in January.I love gardening and I wanted to get together withother gardeners in this area to share plants andideas so I planned that, when I retired, I would tryto set something up under the auspices of theGrange Association. The Committee liked theidea and co-opted me until I was elected last year

and I havesince taken theGrange GardenExchange forward.

Being on theCommittee enables me tobe more engaged in various ways. I helped BrianForrester tochoose andsource asuitable tree forthe Carlton Cricket Club ground. Forrester had acopy of a review of the trees by Alistair Scottwhich identified his favourite species for that setting so it was easy to choose the large leavedlime. I would like more sense of community in thearea and I hope to contribute more in the future.

SSPPOOTTLLIIGGHHTT Find out more about your Grange Association contacts in the first of a series

ADVERTISEIf you want to advertisein The Newsletter contact: Richard Brown(667 8289) 90 Grange Loan EH9 2EP [email protected]

The Grange Newsletter I SUMMER 2012

Now you have your sayQUEST IONNA IRE 2012

We put the questions and you responded. Alison Bramley analyses the results

Under 30 0%

30–60 23%

Over 60 77%

Longer than 10 years 83%

Less than 3 years 3%

3–10 years 14%

Age of Respondent

Residence in The Grange

A total of 106 people responded to the Grange Association Questionnaire, which was delivered to 3000 households.Eighty-one respondents were over 60 and 84 had lived inthe Grange for more than ten years. Our records show amembership of 370 at the end of 2011 and 80 respondentswere noted as members (22 per cent).PlanningThere was solid support for the key activities of the Association in relation to planning with 91 to 95 per cent of respondents agreeing that these activities were very or moderately important. • GA monitors planning applications and informs members

about their status in the Newsletter – 95 per cent• GA comments to the Planning Department on planning

applications – 93 per cent• GA monitors actual developments compared to

approved application – 92 per cent• GA comments to the City council on parking and traffic

proposals – 92 per cent• GA comment to the City Council on amenity developments

such as open spaces and trees – 91 per centTalksThere was a reasonable level of interest (58 per cent) in thetalks arranged by the Grange Association with lots of usefulsuggestions and comments. Three people offered interesting topics and speakers which are being followed up by Events organiser Tony Reeves.GardensInterest in the Grange Garden Exchange reflected whetherthe respondent had a garden with 45 per cent interestedand a significant minority (26 per cent) not at all interested. Eight people expressed a particular interest in wildlife, trees and environmental issues.

CommunicationThe question about communications showed that theNewsletter is the main communication vehicle but a significant number of people are happy with e-mail and consult the website. However a significant minority do notaccess these media.SkillsThe Questionnaire illuminated skills on offer from residentsof the Grange. This has resulted in new input on planningand plenty of offers for Newsletter delivery.CommentsThere was some criticism of the revised membership feesand a few detailed criticisms which the Committee have followed up. Most of the comments were supportive andconstructive with enthusiasm for revamped Newsletter and general appreciation of the work of the Committee.

YYoouurr wwoorrddss ooff eennccoouurraaggeemmeenntt “Thank you all for an interesting and instructive Newsletter.”

“You do an excellent job. Power to your elbow.”

“Many thanks. Appreciate your work and read the Newsletter with interest.”

“Can GA help generating more community spirit in The Grange?”

“I wish the Association continued success.”

Puttingonthe style


HOUSE PROUD

First impressions fail to match the plethora of styles that sitside by side at 47 Grange Road. There are clues to be sure:the curvaceous front door, the elegant aspect of the statelythrust of the sitting-room and the bow fronted bedroom windows high up on the eastern gable. The formal front garden with its symetrical boxed hedges and the intriguingmaze that winds it way through the grounds to the rear lendadded intrigue.Inside the surprises lurk around every corner. The hall withits impressive stain-glass window with its representations of the shamrock, the thistle and the rose, has an Arts andCrafts feel. The wooden bannister has echoes of Rennie Mackintosh; the dramatic dining room repainted in rich redhas rococo-style plasterwork on the walls; the sitting room has columns to give a theatrical frame to the window andeven the discreet butlerʼs pantry has a colourful characterstriding across the window to provide a talking point en route to the dinner table.On the lower level what was once a snooker room has become a gleaming and bright contemporary kitchen unitedwith the garden by a new stone stairway and rockery. And tocap it all, a gardenerʼs cottage nestles in to a conservatory atthe rear providing a completely separate refuge.Perhaps itʼs hardly surprising that when Jill Harrison and Douglas Anderson moved in with their two children four yearsago it took time to come to grips with the myriad possibilities.“We are part of the Victorian semi-detatched pair of houses

adjoining us. Originally our house was built in 1897 as an extension to our neighbourʼs house. We understand that anearly owner was one of the proprietors of Dobie and Son, thedecorators," says HarrisonThe firm, one of the oldest painting and decorating companies in Scotland, established in 1849, still boasts ateam of time-served craftsmen who are based at nearby Buccleuch Street. The house was used as a showcase for the companyʼs work, which explains the expansive sitting-room,dining room and hallway which before it was split off in theFifties communicated directly with the adjoining house. The connection with Dobie also partly explains the multitude of styles and quirks“We wanted to live in it for a while so that we could sensewhat we might do. One of the first tasks was to sort out thechildrenʼs bedrooms and our own one. We also wanted to sortout the cottage for its rental potential though that projectturned out to be much bigger than expected – it was dampand had rot and the ceiling collapsed when a water tank burst– eventually we pretty much rebuilt the whole thing.”The couple had had previous experience of renovating ahouse in the West End of Edinburgh. The move was to givethem more living space and a large garden – No 47 is set onone-third of an acre of ground.“Douglas is an actuary who also has to travel a lot for hiswork. But he found the physical work of planning and doingthe garden to be quite therapeutic. We discovered that we

It looks distinctly different from its traditional semi-detatchedneighbours on Grange Road. Number 47 boasts an eclectic

mixture of styles both inside and out. It has just had amakeover from its latest owners while preserving its

delightful idiosyncracies. Richard Mowe for the latest inhis series House Proud is invited over the threshold

Colourful character in the pantry

had a well-establised parterre – or as the children used tocall it, a maze. As Iʼm a mathematician who likes symmetry,we decided on a formal arrangement for the front garden. A friend did some sketches and we opted for one of the designs which had the feel of a mini-Versailles,” Harrisonadds.One of the most visible signs of the transformation hasbeen the replacement of a dilapidated wooden fence bybeautifully crafted iron railings in the style of the originals.“Luckily we had bits of the ironwork still left near thegateposts which a blacksmith took away and copied. We were a little bit obsessive but we wanted them to be exactly the way they would have been,” she says.One of the benefits Anderson found of working in the front garden and gateway was the constant stream of enouragement from passers-by who obviously appreciated

what was taking place before their eyes.Although most of the major tasks have been accomplished,the leaky conservatory requires a significant upgrade. Therecent addition of a cobble-stone driveway has shown upthe shortcomings of the unprepossessing garage.“Weʼre thinking of rebuilding it with a slated roof, possiblyincluding a mezzanine level for Douglas to keep a staticbike [Douglas is a keen cyclist] which he can pedal furiouslyand look out on his work in the garden,” says Harrisonwhile adding: “I think this may be a house where you willnever truly be finished, but we have reached the stagewhere we can sit back a bit and enjoy it.”Not only that but its situation on one of the Grangeʼs mostpromiment thoroughfares also means that the rest of thepopulace can share that sense of enjoyment.


A mini-Versailles: the formal front garden appealed to the ownerʼs “sense of symmetry.”

Opulent plasterwork in the dining room Clean and contemporary in the kitchen

Colourful character in the pantry


Secluded in the heart of the Grange is the home of Scotlandʼs top cricket club. Yet many pass Carlton CricketClubʼs ground with little thought of what lies behind its familiar stone walls and wooden gates.

Yet if they stopped to look they would be knocked for six by the beauty of the surroundings. First impressions when surveying the leafy, undulating terrain could even be confusing. Arenʼt cricket grounds supposed to be billiard-table flat? Despite its unusual terrain, Carlton has an enviable record.

As it approaches its 150th anniversary next year, Carltonhas remained at the top of Scottish cricket for much of itshistory, won the Scottish National League title in 2011 andrules the roost in the now-popularised, 20-over form of thegame. The club fields four league sides each weekend,runs a womenʼs team and boasts a thriving junior sectionwith successful teams at all age-group levels.

The club is far from a recent arrival in the Grange.Founded in 1863, Carlton played many early matches onthe Meadows. Its forward-thinking committee was soon on the lookout for more salubrious surroundings.

In 1866 Carlton rented a ground on Grange Loan, east ofwhat is now St.Thomas Road, but the wickets were poor.Three years later Carlton moved to a ground titled ʻOldGrange Loanʼ its home for the next 35 years. There is

conflicting evidence for this groundʼs location; on GrangeLoan or as far south as the suburban railway – the subjectof continuing investigation.

The legendary English batsman W.G.Grace was the star attraction in a major fund-raising match in 1872, drawing a crowd in excess of 3,000. This cleared £100 profit, putting the clubʼs finances on a sound footing. However,the wickets remained uneven and the use of an industrialheavy roller back-fired when it cracked the drains. Repairwork plunged the club back into financial troubles.

Dr NL Stevenson, Club Captain, President and legend for over 50 years, had been casting covetous eyes on awooded cattle pasture bordering Grange Loan. Stevensonnegotiated a yearly tenancy. A three day fund-raising ʻFancy Fair and Carnivalʼ raised a remarkable £1800. Trees cleared, a cricket-square levelled and pavilionerected, Carlton began the 1905 season at what has been its home for over a century.

Yet the story has been far from straightforward. In the 1920s the owners put the ground and the adjacent houseon the market (the bungalow north of the recently-builtWhiteleaf House, not the more imposing, and obvious,“Park House”).

The clubʼs first offer was rejected. More fund-raising ensuedand an offer for the ground alone was accepted.

150 not out!The fortunes of Carlton Cricket Club whose home is at the hub of the Grange,

have fluctuated over the decades. Next year they celebrate a century and a half – and members of the club are going in to bat for an auspicious anniversary.

Brian Forrester looks at the state of play.


Stevenson drove the clubʼs history for much of the next 30years, maintaining the clubʼs position in the higher echelonsof the Scottish game. In the early 1960ʼs Alun Davies was instrumental in the reconstruction of the old pavilion fromtwo condemned, post-war prefabs. He drove the next phaseof the clubʼs story, maintaining its cricketing reputation, yetrun on an entirely voluntary basis. But the pavilion was notset to last. Dilapidation forced the club to contemplate anexpensive rebuilding project. Once again, funds had to beraised.

The new pavilion, built in 2005, was to become the catalystfor Carltonʼs recent success. A focus on junior coaching hasreaped rich rewards. Most summer weekday evenings(weather permitting) will see junior cricket in some form onthe ground using practice facilities redeveloped into some of the best in the country using funds raised largely by playing members.

The clubʼs history has been one of hand-to-mouth finances– little has changed in recent times. Whilst cricket activitiesremain buoyant, the volunteer-run club is keen to ensurethat finances are secure and that the ground receives thelong-term care and attention it deserves.

With the recent demise of a cherry tree, the Grange Associationʼs suggestion of a replacement planted in memory of the late Alistair Scott (long-standing Grange Association member and local tree expert), seemed entirelyappropriate. A broad-leaved lime, a choice weʼre sure hewould have approved, has taken its place along the GrangeLoan wall, hopefully well into the next century. It joins theestablished trees that add so much to the character of theground and the local area, providing shade from the summer sun or shelter from the almost-inevitable rain.

Carltonʼs ownership of the ground inspires confidencethat this increasingly rare patch of greenery will remain an integral part of the Grange area. But the club has to ensure that it has the funds to maintain the ground and support the cricketing activities that engender the loyalty of the volunteers that run the club. The quest for additional sources of income will continue, the aim not the enrichment of the clubʼs membership, but the futurefinancial stability of the club itself – ensuring Carlton, itsunique ground and Alistair Scottʼs tree will continue to flourish in the years ahead.

Carlton Cricket Club: Martin Flynn, Honorary Secretary, 24 Mountcastle Gardens, Edinburgh EH8 7SS Tel: 0131 258 1652E-mail: [email protected]: 180 Grange Loan, Edinburgh EH9 2EETel: 0131 667 9547www.carltoncc.co.uk

FFAACCTT FFIILLEE

N L Stevenson lost the toss on only three occasions in the 1934 season

Giants of the game: (from left) E A Macdonald, N L Stevenson and R S Clark

Team 2011 Carlton Scottish National League Champions

A number of successes have been scored recently whenthe Grange Association intervened to lodge objections tovarious planning issues.We made an objection to a proposed house extension at 19 Palmerston Road, which we thought amounted to over-development. A number of the neighbours also objected. Result? The application eventually was withdrawn. We complained about advertising signs posted on BlackfordAvenue without permission. Result? They were taken down. We also secured the removal of a fence erected withoutconsent on the boundary of a property in Dick Place. Most recent applications, however, have been for smallchanges to the rear of established houses, which causedfew issues.On our growing concern about the paving over of front gardens, an Association member made a relevant point inresponse to the planning article in the last issue, namelythat such proposals generally involve the loss of a parkingspace on the street outside, as well as the loss of greenspace in the front garden. An application to widen a driveway in Palmerston Road was refused, because of concerns about the effect on an established tree. The Association objected to the proposed replacement of a Victorian Conservatory at 31 Mansionhouse Road, a B listed villa, but it was sadly approved by the pla PlanningCommittee without even a site visit, although CouncillorSteve Burgess had suggested one. Listed building consent has now been granted by the Council for the demolition of the former telephone exchangeon Pitsligo Road. This site is just outside the boundary ofour area, but we have taken an interest in it because it couldprovide an indication of what might happen in the groundsof the Astley Ainslie whose grounds are within the GrangeConservation area. if and when larger parts of that site arereleased for development. The telephone exchange building was listed at category C(S) by Historic Scotland, but the Association supported theproposal to demolish it and Historic Scotland accepted the


PLANNING WATCH

case on the grounds that it could not effectively be reused.The Council has also indicated that it is minded to approvethe proposed new housing on the site. The Association considers the designs for the new development somewhat bland, but probably better than theboxy new townhouses and flats currently going up on thecorner of Whitehouse Loan and Newbattle Terrace. A proposal for a new workshop beside a house at 38A DickPlace has given rise to interesting correspondence with thecouncil about its policy on new development in the groundsof established villas. The existing policy is quite detailed, but essentially it limitsextensions to no more than 50 per cent of the area coveredby the original villa and requires 60 per cent of the site toremain as green space. On the one hand it is reassuring that such policies exist. Onthe other we might wonder what the Grange would look likeif everyone took full advantage of the scope to build up tothe limit set by the policy, as the applicant in Dick Placeseems intent on doing.

Now you see it... now you donʼt: the Victorian conservatory that once stood at 31 Mansionhouse Road has vanished.

A string of successful objections and a majordisappointment… JOHN GRAHAM rounds up

the latest activity by your conservationguardians

Mixed fortunes of protest


NEW APPLICATIONS FOR PLANNING CONSENTThe following applications have been granted between the beginningof December and 23 April:90 Findhorn Place: new dormers19 Palmerston Road: removal of external staircase Near 52 Grange Loan: BT telecoms cabinet 4 Strathearn Road: alterations to driveway etc17 Findhorn Place: erection of conservatory9 Hope Terrace: sun room extension145–157 Grange Loan: satellite dishes15 Fountainhall Road: rear deck and steps26 Lauder Road: erection of conservatory43 Lauder Road: new garden room 13 Mansionhouse Road: alterations to rooms at rear 18A Dick Place: double glazing31 Grange Loan: new garden room12 Hope Terrace: demolition of office buildings12 Hope Terrace: new four storey villa18 Grange Crescent: demolition of existing house8 Dick Place: internal alterations4 Blackford Avenue: solar panels11 Dick Place: alterations to rear and garage 4 Blackford Avenue: alterations to windows and doors35 Fountainhall Road: erection of conservatory*31 Mansionhouse Road: replacement of greenhouse with single storey extension 2 Lauder Road: alterations to kitchen wall13 Grange Road: external flue19 Hatton Place: widen driveway13 Tantallon Place: double glazing

15 Grange Terrace: alterations to rear 14 Blackford Bank: erect conservatoryThe following applications have been withdrawn:11 Palmerston Road: widen entrance 38 Dick Place: new studio workshop *19 Palmerston Road: first floor extension There was a mixed decision at 45 Lauder Road on alterationsto the driveway and railings etcOne application was refused:11 Palmerston Road: widen entranceThe following applications were still under consideration at 23 April:91 South Oswald Road: change of use from school to residential Near 4 Sciennes Road: BT telecoms cabinet 112 Findhorn Place: disabled access5 Palmerston Road: alterations to outbuilding 18 Dalrymple Crescent: alterations to rear 54 Grange Loan: alterations to dormer and roof38 Dick Place: new garden store11 Palmerston Road: widen driveway An asterisk (*) indicates comments made by Grange Associationthough not all of our comments involve a recommendation for refusal of permission. Note that the category “Withdrawn” usually means that an application is being redrafted to avoid refusal; most are laterresubmitted in a revised and somewhat less contentious form. Some properties may appear more than once, possibly indicating repeatapplications have been made.

Contact: [email protected]


History in the makingJoin Joanne Lamb on her quest to delve in to the past and presentWe know that many residents are interested in the history ofthe Grange. We feel sure that they will respond enthusiasticallyto the formation of a local history group, part of the Grange Association, and similar to the Garden Exchange Scheme(Page 11).There are a number of advantages in working as a group: thesharing of experience and expertise, the pooling of knowledge,and co-ordination of further research. My personal interest isin the history of the area in Victorian times, drawing on officialrecords, but other people may be interested in more recenttimes – a ʻliving historyʼ approach.If you are interested in joining such a scheme, please email me at [email protected] Lamb is the author of a book on Dalrymple Crescent and recently was asked to undertake researchon Mansionhouse Road. To see progress on the Mansionhouse Road project, go to www.dcedin.co.uk, and choose the “Other projects” link.

Open space under threat?By Sue TrittonAstley Ainslie Hospital. This beautiful area provides much appreciated open space in the Grange Association Conservation area. Some people just like walking in the grounds;others use the various paths as routes to school or the shops.NHS Lothian is proposing to build new facilities at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for some of the services currently at AstleyAinslie, raising concerns about the future of the site. All localCommunity Councils have representatives on a group, whichmeets NHS Lothian officials to keep up to date with progress.We will report further in a later issue of the Newsletter. Your contacts in the corridors of civic power

City Councillors for the Grange Association Area: Most of theGrange Association lies within the Southside Newington CityCouncil ward but a small part in the west of the area is in theMeadows Morningside ward. As a result of the elections heldon 3 May the local councillors (with contact details) are:

Southside Newington ward

Steve Burgess (Green) [email protected]: 529 3274 Mob: 07887 682574Jim Orr (SNP) [email protected] Tel: 529 4269Ian Perry (Labour) [email protected] Tel: 529 3288Cameron Rose (Conservative)[email protected] Tel: 529 4078

Meadows Morningside ward

Paul Godzik (Labour) [email protected] Tel: 529 3273 Mob: 07766 058954Sandy Howat (SNP) [email protected] Tel: 529 3192Melanie Main (Green) [email protected] Tel: 529 4996Mark McInnes (Conservative)[email protected] Tel: 529 4958Some individual details for the new councillors had to beconfirmed as we went to press.

20mph limit. The 20mph limit is now in place in the Grange.There have been concerns that there are too many signs andcomplaints have been made. In some cases the existing poleswere not strong enough for the signs and new poles had to beerected – the old poles are being removed. However, there arestill areas where poles need to be removed and others wherethe signing is wrong. Comments can be made to the CityCouncil – the main contact is Steven Murrell and he can becontacted by email at [email protected]. Or,send the details to me and I will pass them on. Another issue is that the new speed limit is not being observed – we understand that official enforcement should take place “after people have had time to get used to the new limit”. I findit difficult to remember to reduce my speed when turning into a20mph street from a 30mph street. I suspect I would havefound it easier to keep to the new limit if more of the area hadbeen included within the 20mph limit – as the Grange Association and the Community Councils had suggested.Energy Monitors. I still have a few monitors available for use by Grange residents – these indicate the energy use of different items of equipment and, I find, are very helpful in indicating if an appliance has been inadvertently left switchedon. If anyone would like one please contact me.Keep the bottle tops coming. Please continue to leavebags of plastic tops at 6 Grange Terrace. All the tops then findtheir way to the Borders where they are recycled and madeinto the covering for fibre-optic cables. The money raised isgoing towards the new hospice and palliative care unit at theBorders General Hospital. The doorstep plastic recycling in ourarea stipulates that tops are removed from bottles as thesecannot, at present, be recycled by the City. So this initiativeboth reduces material going to landfill and raises money for an excellent cause.

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GARDEN EXCHANGE

The madMarchmagnoliaBy Alison BramleyThose seeds we exchanged in October are now pottedup in the greenhouse waiting for the soil to warm up. Our table at the AGM showed our activities and we haveplans for more visits to open gardens and to continue toexchange skills, advice and practical equipment.Highlights this year have been a pruning expert from Borders Organic Gardeners coming to explain and answer questions. Then we had visited Gosford House at Longniddry where we strolled through the grounds fullof winter snowdrops and bare trees showing off the landscaped lake and the wee house for the curling stonesthen tea at the Bothy Tearoom. Grange Association chairman John Graham invited us tosee his magnolia during that hot week in March – just intime as the huge blooms were blown away the followingweek. Members also went to the Scottish Rock GardenShow at Fairmilehead in April.

Nursery VisitThursday 17 May If you used to visit our local plant sale, we are changingthe format. We would like you to join us when we visit thenursery which supplied our plants. We will be going toRichard Patterson at Redhouse Market Gardens, Longniddry at 2.00 on 17 May. Get in touch with Alison Bramley 07890 313430 or [email protected] to arrange car sharing.

Coach tripSunday 22 JulyOur annual gardens coach trip is to Wormistoun House,Crail. If you have not already booked, get in touch withJudith Reeves (667 5570) to secure your place.

If you want to join us and hear about future activitieswrite to [email protected] Find news under the gardens tab at http://www.grangeassociation.org

John Graham with his magnolia in full bloom in March –a sight that was short-lived

Home Deliveries available free of charge

Delicious hot and coldfood, made from fresh,local seasonal produce

Luxury Food Hampers

Heated outdoor seatingarea for 40 people 20 indoors

Supper club every Fridaydifferent theme everyweek BYOB... and NOcorkage !

Support your LOCAL business

Everyone, member or not, is welcome to attend these eventswhich have been co-ordinated by Judith and Tony Reeves

Sunday 22 July: All aboardThis year’s coach trip will visit the gardens of Wormistoun Castle,near Crail in Fife, leaving from Lauder Road at 9.30am. If youwould like to come, please get in touch with Judith Reeves (6675570) as soon as possible, as there are limited places left.

Wednesday 10 October: Alexander Henry 1818 – 1894Grange Association treasurer, Richard Brown, reports on his research into his great great grandfather Alexander Henry, Edinburgh gunsmith, town councillor, freemason, JP who it isclaimed was the father of the volunteer movement in Scotland.Henry’s rifle barrel was part of the British Army standard issueMartini Henry rifle of the “Zulu” wars. Richard finds out the answer to some family word of mouth stories, including talesfrom Victorian Edinburgh.

Wednesday 14 November: Edinburgh South SideEric Melvin discusses the history of the South Side together withwell-known characters and the growth southwards of the city inthe 19th century. Among the topics to be covered are invadersand occupiers, James IV, the Jacobites, the Disruption, and theareas of the Meadows and Bruntsfield Links.

Castle calling

EVENTS AND TALKS

Wednesday 12 December: Christmas Variety Concert

The meetings are held in the Butterflies Cafe at Marchmont StGiles Church. Evenings start with a short networking period at7.00pm in time for the main talk at 7.30pm. You are welcome tostay for coffee, tea and biscuits at the end of the talk.

The man with the golden gun barrel... AlexanderHenry whodeveloped the riflebarrel which bearshis name


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