Work has continued on cutting back a large laurel hedge at the park. It was then removed by McLaren Tree Surgery, who did a fantastic job.
Starbank volunteers cutting back the hedgeThe hedge cut backThe hedge completely gone……and turned into woodchip!
What was left of the hedge was turned into woodchip by McLaren Tree Surgery, ready for recycling and to be used on the paths in the flower beds.
If you like your tulips and haven’t had the chance to visit the garden lately, here are some photos of the flowers putting on a wonderful Spring display:
And finally…it’s lovely to see the cherry blossom starting to emerge:
The volunteers have been very busy lately in the garden with Spring finally emerging – at a recent Saturday session, a large laurel hedge was cut back and all the hydrangeas pruned.
The flowers and garden were also looking lovely in the sunshine.
Thank you to all those that joined us for our Christmas Gathering on 30th November. Many wreaths were made and hot chocolates sipped, all whilst listening to the fabulous Edinburgh Brass Band. Together we raised an amazing £1685.48 which will go towards developing and maintaining the park over the next year.
Starbank Park Wins Award
In other news, we were delighted to recently be awarded the It’s Your Neighbourhood award 2025.
It’s Your Neighbourhood is an award managed by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Royal Horticultural Society. The award is is designed for volunteer-led community groups which are cleaning and beautifying their neighbourhoods, whether through community allotments, after school wildlife clubs, school eco-groups, Friends of Park groups, or adopting pieces of derelict land.
Friends of Starbank Park won the award with a Level 5 – Outstanding and with a Certificate of Distinction.
Well done to all those involved for keeping the Park beautiful!
Park has final tidy before Christmas
This Saturday the volunteer group had one final tidy before Christmas, clearing the beds of old leaves and spreading a thick layer of (our very own!) compost onto the beds to suppress weeds and improve the soil.
This hard work was followed by some well deserved mulled wine and mince pies.
From all of us at Starbank, we wish our Friends, volunteers, followers, and all those that enjoy the park, a very Merry Christmas.
Come and join us for our Christmas Gathering on 30th November, 10am-12pm.
Events taking place include wreath making (fully booked), live music, coffee, hot chocolate, mince pies, a Christmas table, Starbank calendars and cards, honey and glass painting. Members from the Edinburgh Brass Band will be playing at 11am-12pm.
In spring earlier this year, new composting bins were added to the back of the park, and after eight months of hard work, the compost is proving a success!
The bins are grouped in threes. The first bin contains layers of chopped up green waste (grass cuttings are very good for this), which is followed by a layer of wood chip or cardboard and then watered. The layering continues in this way. This bin is ‘turned’ every few months. This speeds up the composting process, allowing air and moisture into the compost.
Turning bin one into bin two:
After a couple of months, bin two is turned into bin three, which is where the compost becomes usable.
Good quality compost from bin three that we can use in the park:
A thanks to all the gardeners who are sorting and chopping the green waste and turning the bins.
We also have an area just for our leaf waste, seen here with gardeners boldly stamping it down to make way for more autumnal leaves!
Our beautiful calendar is out now! Only £7.50 each. Available from the park on Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am-11.30am, and Sundays 10.30am-11.30am. Makes a super Christmas present!
Come and take part in the pumpkin trail at Starbank Park. All welcome, 26th-31st October.
Friends of Starbank Park 