My neighbour Stanley Dunlop, who has died aged 92, was the life and soul of Buddies of Starbank Park, a charity that helps to take care of the park within the north of Edinburgh.
When the Buddies got here into being and took it over in 2013, it was close to derelict. By 2018 it had received the UK Neighbourhood Park of the Yr award.
A captivating, clever nature lover, Stan was concerned within the Buddies from its formation, and was instrumental in remodeling the park into the haven it’s as we speak. Commanding magnificent views over the Firth of Forth, it was as soon as a part of the grounds of the Nineteenth-century Starbank Home, owned for a few years by the Goalen household, till it handed into the arms of the native council within the late Nineteenth century.
For a few years the outdated home there has offered lodging for former council staff and Stan, an ex-local authority worker, lived in one among its higher flats following his retirement within the Nineteen Seventies.
He was a fund of information concerning the park’s historical past, lovingly tending its gardens till shortly earlier than his loss of life.
Born in Edinburgh, Stan was one of many three youngsters of Jessie (nee Simpson), who labored in a biscuit manufacturing unit, and Alan Dunlop, a watchman. Shortly after his mom’s loss of life, Stan left Niddrie Marischal secondary faculty on the age of 14, initially working as a van boy delivering bread and truffles earlier than a quick stint as a trainee mechanic and three years as a firefighter.
Aged 24 he moved into farms and market gardening till he joined Edinburgh metropolis council 4 years later. He labored there in varied roles for almost 40 years, together with as a tractor, lorry and minibus driver, a market gardener and as a groundsman.
In retirement at Starbank Park, guests would discover him both gardening or in a rapt dialog with a passing toddler. He was adored by youngsters: my daughter realized to stroll there and beloved Stan, so we noticed a number of him.
His retired life started early within the morning. There was no want for an alarm clock – Smokey, his Burmese cat, noticed to that. At 6am sharp he began his day with a digestive biscuit and a cup of tea. There adopted a sluggish stroll across the park to make sure every little thing was so as. Then he fed “the bairns” (the native birds) and refreshed the water bowl for the various visiting canines. After tea and toast in his upstairs flat, he would head again down once more to scrub and replenish the hen feeders and take care of the backyard for the remainder of the day.
Stan was twice married, first to Iris Westwood in 1967, who died in 1980; then to June Buchanan, who died in 2012. He’s survived by 4 youngsters from his first marriage, and by two grandchildren.
