Donald Anderson: This 96-year-old local legend should inspire us all

This is Gilbert. He turned up last month, as he has for more than 40 years, to help improve the park. It was his 96th birthday.
Veteran volunteer Gilbert ClarkVeteran volunteer Gilbert Clark
Veteran volunteer Gilbert Clark

He is a local legend and puts us to shame with his energy and drive. In his spare time, he works his allotment and raises funds for charity. Our youngest volunteer was Poppy who was three and was a real credit to her mum and dad and was always great helping out.

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Gilbert’s life I know would be made a lot easier by more people helping keep the city clean, and he’s not the only one.

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This coming weekend there are at least three big clean ups that I know of taking place in the city.

There’s ours at Burdiehouse, one organised in Gracemount by Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, and one organised by the mighty Leither’s Don’t Litter. Get along and help out. You’ll have fun, I’m sure.

The details for these events are:

Burdiehouse Burn Clean Up – 10am to lunchtime, Saturday 3 March, meeting at Ellen’s Glen car park, Ellen’s Glen Loan.

Gracemount Clean Up – 10am to 1pm , Saturday 3 March, meeting at the ELGT van by the White Church Lane Pathway on Gracemount Drive.

Litterpick at the Shore – 11am, Sunday 4 March, meeting at the corner of Henderson Street and The Shore.