December 2025: Issue 1
What's going on in the Grange Prestonfield communities in December 2025.
Welcome to the first issue of The Grange Prestonfield Voice, a monthly newsletter brought to you by the Grange Prestonfield Community Council (GPCC). We’re so pleased you’re reading this!
Our ambition is to provide a free monthly newsletter that informs you on what’s happening across the neighbourhoods of The Grange, Prestonfield, Blackford, Blacket, Waverley and Mayfield. Consider this a regular round-up, not chasing or breaking news.
This is our first issue, so please bear with us as we work out any kinks. We welcome feedback and suggestions for future issues - just send us an email.
The nights are long and dark, the house windows are lit up by twinkling trees, and wreaths are starting to adorn front doors. It’s the last month of the year: December.
What to Know About
Prestonfield Avenue Street Trees and Footway Project:: The improvement proposals received generally positive feedback, centered on planting new street trees, installing footway buildouts to enhance safety, and closing a section of the road outside Prestonfield Primary School’s rear entrance to improve child safety. In response, the Council’s plan will see a street re-design by the school, bringing safety and visual improvements. A similar plan for Priestfield Road is on hold for now. Read more here.
Introduction of Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) to city area ‘B1’: B1 runs east-west across the upper half of the GPCC boundary area. Priority Parking Areas (PPA) with part-time restrictions will be replaced by a Controlled Parking Zone where all kerbside space is managed. This will take place in Q1 2026. Read more here.
Proposals for Redeveloping Cameron Toll Shopping Centre: New Masterplan proposals are now emerging for a major redevelopment of Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, bringing work on the idea in recent years to a head. The proposals are to for “mixed use development potentially comprising retail, commercial, residential, student accommodation, later living accommodation, hotel, office space, sports/leisure and community uses and public realm, along with associated landscaping and infrastructure”. At this stage it is just a location plan and a statement of intent. You can read more here.
The developer is holding two community engagement events in the Central Mall at the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre for viewpoints to be considered. These are:
Monday 15 December 2025 – 2pm to 7pm
Thursday 05 February 2026 – 2pm to 7pm
Removal of Street Bins from Dalkeith Road: Street Bins have been removed from Dalkeith Road and redistributed on side roads. This follows a seven year campaign by GPCC members to help clear the pavements for pedestrians!
City Plan 2040 - What Makes a Good Place?: In less than 10 minutes, you can shared your views with Edinburgh Council on how to make Edinburgh City reflect what matters most to you. Complete the questionnaire here. The consultation closes on 23 Jan 2026.
Edinburgh South Boxing Academy (ESBA): This initiative is led by Mr Michael Wood and Mr Raymond Gibson, members of Boxing Scotland, already involved in promoting boxing skills and training to young people, adults and family groups in the Goodtrees Community Centre and other local venues. They are now looking to open formal ESBA premises in our area. Contact us with any queries here.
Newington Cemetery: Over the past several months, the Friends of Newington Cemetery Group have been active in ensuring the Cemetery is up to date. There was a rededication of James and Margaret Finlayson’s headstone at the end of April, the walls on the south and east sides have been repaired, and they have planted several raised flower beds at the entrance, bringing more colour and parking safety into the cemetery.
November 2025’s draft meeting minutes can be found here.
What to See & Do
01 December 4pm: You are invited to the Prestonfield Tree Lighting in the Memorial Garden at the top of Prestonfield Avenue. ‘Tis the season!
01 December 4:15pm: Paint and draw on Christmas ornaments for Art Club at Newington Library (for children aged 7+).
05 December 1-3pm: Join Bridgend Farmhouse for a guided winter bike ride. The pace is gentle and social on mostly flat, off main road, routes. Destinations vary within an 8-10 mile range – the group has visited the Meadows, Portobello Beach, and more. Hire an e-bike [£5] or borrow a pedal bike for free [Helmets included]. Children welcome with an able adult rider. Book here. Event takes place the first Friday from Nov - March.
06 December & 07 December 10am-2pm: Join Friend of Inch Park and Every Inch Matters for the first planting of the season in our Inch Park Community Orchard and Tree Care project. We’ll be planting at the east end of Glenallan Drive, and also the slope north of Inch View Care Home, above the fallen sycamore tree (Inch View Care Home are aware). All ages welcome! Sensible footwear and clothing recommended. Under 16s and vulnerable people must be accompanied by a guardian.
06 December 10:30 - 1:30pm: Inch House Community Centre’s Christmas fair is returning o- a magical day of festive food, fun, gifts and Santa. Enjoy the warm buzz of our community coming together. Browse a beautiful selection of handcrafted gifts, festive goodies, alcohol free mulled wine, hot chocolate, food and traditional Christmas bakes. Children can meet Father Christmas, share their wishes and take home a special keepsake photo.
06 December from 12pm - 4pm: Another Christmas Fair at Marchmont St Giles! Made possible with the help of volunteers from Meadows Explorer Scouts, 44th Braid Scout Group, Marchmont St Giles Congregation & the local community. Expect live music, bouncy castle, children’s activities and stall. Free entry, refreshments available at Butterflies Cafe. £3 entry per child to kids games area.
06 December 2-3pm: Get your drumming on with Djembe Drumming at Bridgend Farmhouse. Adults only, in the both with Majk. Book here.
07 December and 14 December 2-4pm: Stack, build and play on Lego Sundays! Upstairs in Bridgend Farmhouse, there will be loads of lego for you to build and play with - just bring your adult & your imagination. The café will be open with other games available or feel free to bring your own.
07 December 6pm: Switch on the Christmas lights at Reid Memorial Church’s Community tree. Refreshments, mulled wine and carols to follow!
10 December 6-7pm: Historian Margaret Williams is signed up to inform and entertain with the talk “Herod the Great in Legend and History” at Bridgend Farmhouse. Book here.
11 December 2pm: Celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen with a talk exploring the charming Regency buildings of Edinburgh and the fashion of Jane Austen’s era from Jackie Sangster from Historic Environment Scotland at Newington Library (free event, book here).
14 December 10:30-11:30am: Come and share in the joy and peace of Christmas at Marchmont St. Giles’ beautiful service of traditional readers and carols led by their choir in their Nine Lessons and Carol service.
14 December 11-2pm: Fusion Food at its finest inspired by Festive Fare! Join Bridgend Farmhouse for their Christmas inspired pakora. Expect the pakora with the usual base ingredients plus added carrots, parsnips and sprouts- served with homemade cranberry and rosemary dip.
15 December 2-7pm: The first of two community engagements in the Central Mall of the Cameron Toll Shopping Centre to discuss the new masterplan proposals that have recently been submitted. Get your views heard!
21 December 10:30-11:30am: Join Marchmont St. Giles children and families as they retell the Christmas story in The Nativity - a heartwarming celebration of love, hope and togetherness.
24 December (Christmas Eve Services):
Marchmont St. Giles:
4pm Christingle Service: A special candlelit service for children and families celebrating the light of Christ in our community.
11pm Community Carol Singing: Gather inside the church for joyful carols and festive cheer before Watchnight Service begins.
11:30pm Watchnight Service: Welcome Christmas morning with a reflective service of worship, carols, and candlelight as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Newington Trinity Church:
11:30pm-12:15am Watchnight Service
25 December (Christmas Day Services):
Marchmont St. Giles:
10am Family Service: A short, joyful family service as we come together to celebrate the wonder of Christmas Day.
Newington Trinity Church:
10:30-11:30am Family Service
Reid Memorial Church:
10:30am Christmas Morning Service
28 December 10:30am: Join Marchmont St Giles in their Morning Worship, their final Sunday service of the year as they give thanks and look forward to the year ahead.
Did we miss an event? Let us know for our next issue here.
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If you have any comments or feedback about The Voice, feel free to email GPCC’s Engagement Officer here.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic New Year. See you in January!