Tag Archives: parks

Christmas Round Up

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.

September Events

We have not one but TWO events at the end of September! Please do join us for:

A Macmillon coffee morning on Saturday 27 September 10am-12pm

And our Doors Open Day on Sunday 28 September 12pm – 4pm

Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old. Activities at Starbank will include:

  • Guided walks – Botany and History at 12pm and 2pm 
  • Children’s crafts
  • Chalk drawing
  • History display
  • Tea and coffee available

No booking required. For further information please visit: https://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/regions/edinburgh/starbank-park-friends-of-starbank-park

A successful Cherry Blossom Picnic!

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

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