A UNIQUE FISHING VILLAGE ON THE COAST OF THE FORTH, PROUD OF ITS TRADITIONS, CULTURE AND HISTORY
COMMUNITY GROUPS
THE COMMUNITY GARDENS GROUP
New Murals for Newhaven
Four new murals prepared by the children of Victoria’s After School Club children from the Victoria Primary School After School Club working with an artist to create four murals inspired by the street names in Newhaven Village. The children heard some stories and then drew pictures and made clay pieces that were added to offer a 3D effect to the panels on Willowbank Row, Auchinleck Brae, Whale Brae and Peacock Court.
This was all made possible with a grant from the University of Edinburgh Community Fund. Storytelling and old photographs were used as props for the project. Later this year, the panels will be installed near the community garden on Newhaven Main Street and visitors and locals can read tales of the past while admiring the artwork of the current generation in bringing the street names alive.
Help Newhaven Grow
Once this Coronavirus crisis is over, the garden areas of Newhaven will require much effort to restore their appearance. Time, effort — and money — will be required.
Here is an easy and convenient way in which you can donate, at no cost to yourself. Click on the image above which will then allow you to register with ‘Give as you Live’, an organisation which collects commission from over 4300 outlets for the benefit of charity, of which Newhaven Heritage is one.
When making a purchase online from so many businesses like M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, etc. click through to the company of your choice and the gardens areas Newhaven will blossom with your generosity
Our Story
When the gates of gardens were opened in 2015 an opportunity to develop happy tranquil spots for people to enjoy became a reality for Newhaven. By creating window boxes with the RHS, a new space with raised beds with Edinburgh Lothian Greenspace Trust and creating blossoming beds in the playground of Victoria Primary School, we have been able to develop something quite special in Newhaven for the community and with the community. The aid of the expertise from Starbank Park has also been invaluable. Their knowledge has really impacted on all that has come to fruition.
Throughout this time, the children from the primary school and Trinity Academy have assisted with planting and encouraging the growing of beetroot, tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms. They have also got invloved with making plaques and murals for the garden. We have outdoor had stencilling sessions and bookmaking sessions with a horticultural theme as well as learning about bees. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has also offered training on edible crops. The University of Edinburgh has assisted with funding as has Volunteering Matters and Trellis which has offered guidance on therapeutic gardening. We have planted fruit trees and raspberry canes that offer fruit in the summer along with all the strawberries.
The community open their doors and come for a chat and enjoy all that is being grown. We are also helped by school teams and corporate teams that help with tidying up too.
None of this could have been achieved without the collaboration of the City of Edinburgh Council who have supported the work and offered NEP funding to improve areas and gave us a garden shed. The Park Rangers have also cooperated with us and assisted on many levels.
We have gained awards from Its Your Neighbourhood for three years in a row and participated in the Power of Food Festival which was fun. This year, 2020, we are part of Scotland’s Garden Scheme.
We grow so many delights from ferns, hellebores, primroses, broccoli, dill, mint, sage, rosemary and create delightful spots for everyone of any age to enjoy.
In the future we hope to have a greenhouse so we can propagate and develop a secret garden in new area at the school that could encourage more blossoms to bring cheer and joy to all of Newhaven and be a unique spot for the community. It is planned to have a market garden or flower garden that can produce posies for people in the area or special events.
Colour throughout the year abounds in Newhaven and over the winter the donation of pansies from Asda continued to flourish and all the garden volunteers have managed to keep watering all the window boxes so we continue to enjoy blooms.
Be part of the team and help us keep the weeds at bay, water the plants and bring delight around the streets of Newhaven.
Your help to maintain the gardens and plan new plots would be much appreciated. You can work on a regular basis or give help when you can.
During this Coronavirus Pandemic the garden is open and to be enjoyed as a tranquil place to sit in or for pottering in. Please enjoy the space as it is like an oasis. We can lend tools and have a few pairs of gloves so do email to meet up for an induction.
Come and join us. Create your own garden in your own allocated space. We have raised beds in which to grow your own vegetables or flowers.
BUT AT ALL TIMES, PLEASE OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING.
Contact Heather at greenfingersnh@gmail.com for more information.
FOR VINTAGE PHOTOS, INFORMATION AND REMINISCENSES ABOUT OLD NEWHAVEN GO OVER TO OUR VIRTUAL MUSEUM WEBSITE, www.newhavenheritagecentre.org.uk, BY CLICKING THE LIGHTHOUSE LINK
Newhaven Heritage is administered by Newhaven Heritage Centre which is recognised as a Scottish Registered Charity, No SC044837