Tag Archives: Newhaven

Stan’s Woodland Garden

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Tucked into a quiet corner of the park, some of our volunteers have been hard at work creating a new space: Stan’s Woodland Garden.
The woodland garden is created in memory of Stan, who lived in the house at the centre of the garden for nearly 50 years and was a much loved friend of our gardening group.

This isn’t wild woodland in the traditional sense – it’s a woodland‑themed garden, carefully planted and tended.
It will become a place for children to learn and explore. We’re planning simple display boards, written in child‑friendly language, to help them spot: Woodland animals, little insects, and leaves, flowers and woodland plants.

We hope Stan’s Woodland Garden will spark their curiosity and love of nature too. 

Whether you can visit in person or enjoy it through photos on our website, we hope you’ll join us in watching this special place grow, season by season, in memory of Stan.

Late summer work at Starbank

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There’s been lots to do to get the garden ready for autumn. We have been lucky to have some more experienced volunteers teaching others how to cut the roses to encourage stronger plants and maybe even some more autumn flowers.

The volunteers were also busy weeding the rose beds, an excellent opportunity to catch up and get to know some of our newer members.

Before weeding
After weeding

The flowers and other beds were looking gorgeous in the late summer sunshine.

And finally we’ve had some tiny visitors to our flowers

Friends of Starbank Park Coffee morning for DEC Venezuela earthquake appeal

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Friends of Starbank Park are holding a coffee morning on Saturday 4th July 10.45-12 noon in aid of the DEC Venezuela earthquake appeal.

The Disasters Emergency Committee brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. Fourteen of the DEC’s 15 member charities are either responding or planning to respond in Venezuela and will receive funds from this appeal. The total includes £2 million matched by the UK Government through its UK Aid Match scheme.

We appreciate this is short notice, but if you are free to come along we would love to see you – donate what you can (if you are able to bring your own cups it would be much appreciated).  There will be home baking!

Christmas Round Up

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Christmas Gathering 2025

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.

A successful Cherry Blossom Picnic!

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A big thank you to everyone who came and supported the Cherry Blossom Picnic last Sunday, and to Edinburgh Brass Band for providing wonderful music. The event was extremely successful, helped by the good weather! An incredible £2,020 was raised, which will go a long way towards enabling the Friends to continue their measures to enhance and develop the Park.

Starbank Orchard Care Workshop

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Come join us for a free practical workshop at the Starbank Park community orchard on Saturday 15 February 10am-1pm.

We’ll mainly be focusing on pruning the trees, getting them into shape so that they will flourish and be fruitful. As well as practical action, and learning how to prune and best care for fruit trees, this is a great opportunity to connect with nature and meet some like-minded locals.

Everyone is welcome, but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. You’re welcome to come for as little or as long as you like. All equipment will be provided but please bring your own secateurs, pruning saws and gloves if you have. Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes for the outdoors, and bring a bottle of water. Light refreshments will be provided.

The event is free but please register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/starbank-orchard-care-workshop-tickets-1226159328559?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please meet in front of Starbank House. What3Words stress.flying.castle

For more info please contact daniella.levene@theorchardproject.org.uk