'Marchmont Triangle' Back Green Association

Sarah Sandow writes... Ten residents and three representatives of the Edinburgh Community Backgreens Association attended the founding meeting of the 'Marchmont Triangle' Back Green Association at 6 Marchmont Crescent on 9.4.09, and on Saturday 11.4.09 work will commence. The area is bounded by Marchmont Crescent (N), Marchmont Road and Warrender Park Road.

An area in the centre of the triangle has been identified as a space for a 'co-shed' which will be available for tools etc, with keys for all participants. It is hoped that a table can be placed outside this, for potting or just sitting. A barbecue area was also proposed. The shed will be funded by ECBA.

The group discussed the future of the several very tall trees in the triangle, and the possibility of identifying a space for raised beds for vegetable growing. Further expenditure will be the responsibility of the members, but ECBA will advise on sources of funding and appropriate approaches. ECBA work on the basis of identifying a small area within the whole back-green space as the communal area, before encouraging residents to extend this to other parts of the site. In this way it is hoped to allay any anxieties from other residents and engage them in the project.

A film of progress is being made by Eric Robinson, who is an independent film-maker.

This is the first area in Marchmont to be tackled. The second will be the area bounded by Argyle Place, Roseneath Street , Roseneath Place and Roseneath Terrace, hopefully by 18th April. The sites have been selected on the basis of responses to recent ECBA leaflet drops. ECBA have previously worked in Gorgie, and recognise that Marchmont presents different challenges.

The secretary of the Marchmont Triangle Group will be Dr Maia Forrester 11 Marchmont Crescent, maiaforrester@hotmail.com tel. 229 9317