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From: Jane Arnold <je_arnold@yahoo.com>
I've just had an excellent afternoon at the Suntrap Garden.
It, along with Millbuie house, with its very forward thinking energy saving devices (so advanced for its time that it has recently become a listed building because of it) was bequeathed by Boyd Anderson for the future enjoyment of and use by the people of Edinburgh.
The Garden has extensive glasshouses, a class room and a big potting shed - you can get an idea by going onto one of their websites: http://sos2010.btck.co.uk/SuntrapGardenplan
As I understand it, the Edinburgh Council gave (no money exchanged) the Millbuie house and surrounding garden to Oatridge who used it for the good of the Edinburgh people. The other part of the property was given (no money exchanged) to the National Trust and they used the land for the good of the people of Edinburgh. All was well until Oatridge and the National Trust ran short of money and decided to ignore the spirit of Boyd Anderson's will and put the properties up for sale - Oatridge's portion is now on the open market - and take the money for themselves ie the property is no longer to be used for the enjoyment of the people of Edinburgh. Maybe Boyd Anderson's will is not airtight? However, as I see it, both Oatridge and the National Trust are morally in the wrong.
The Friends of Suntrap Garden are trying, with limited resources, to fight these actions so that the property can continue to be used, as Boyd Anderson intended, for the enjoyment of and use by the people of Edinburgh and WE ALL can help them by:
1. If you are a lawyer, then help them fight the cause.
2. Give them some money - anything you can. Go to: http://www.suntrapgarden.org/?page_id=105
3. Put pressure on your MP/MSP.
4. Support them by visiting the gardens. They have an open day on Saturday 27 May 2012 from 10.30am to 4pm- http://www.suntrapgarden.org/ - and are open every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer from 10am to 4pm.
There are instructions on the website as to how to reach the Suntrap Garden by bus or car - http://sos2010.btck.co.uk/HowtoFindSuntrap - , however you can also go by bus and walk, by bike or by train and walk.
Bus and walk: take the Lothain 25 or 34 buses (c (about) 35mins from George Street or c20mins from Haymarket). Get off at Hermiston Park & Ride then take the second exit (going clockwise) at the roundabout you came in on in the bus, then take the second road on the right, going over the Union canal and the M8. Take the next road on the left, signposted 'Suntrap' 1/3 mile - time c15mins.
Bike: bike along the Union Canal joining anywhere from the basin at Fountainbridge and exit at Gogar Station Road - second road after the aquaduct, and turn right, then left at the road signposted 'Suntrap' 1/3 mile.
Train and walk: catch the train to Edinburgh Park then get onto the Union Canal and follow the same instructions as for 'Bike'.
Enjoy the garden and tell everyone else about it.
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