Edinburgh councillor blogs – Councillor Maureen Child

Maureen_Child_17_200x200 Councillor Maureen Child represents the Portobello/Craigmillar Ward.

She writes:

Dear All

Just a couple of things before I leave you in peace for at least three weeks:

The #MoreInCommon grouping met at the foot of Marlborough Street on Saturdays and the group intend to be there again on Saturday 9 July at 12 noon, even if only for a few minutes, then get on for the rest of your Saturday. For those just catching up with this, we are bringing more and more people together following the death of Jo Cox. Jo Cox was an activist and we feel there is no better way to honour her than by taking action for the issues she cared so passionately about. Following an event on Portobello Beach, organised to celebrate Jo’s life and her belief that ‘We have far more in common with each other than that which divides us’, a few people have been meeting weekly at 12 noon on a Saturday to get to know each other and widen our circle of concern and activism in these uncertain times. Together we can put Jo’s spirit of activism and her belief in justice into practice. You can also help by donating to Jo Cox’s fund to support causes closest to her heart, chosen by her family: https://www.gofundme.com/jocox

Scotland is open and welcoming and we have not witnessed the big rises rise in reported abuse and hate crime here. But we know, though people’s own stories, that it is hugely under-reported and people do suffer in silence. We must unite against any form of racism and intolerance of difference. More information on contacting police, reporting hate crime and use of 3rd party reporting centres can be found on our website: http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/hate-crime-and-third-party-reporting/ More useful ideas here of what each of us can do as individuals: We need more than safety pins to stop racism | Voices | The Independent and http://www.istreetwatch.co.uk/pledges/new

The Council has agreed to a four month pilot for up to 20 streets this summer at no charge to promote street play and community togetherness. Before you get permission, there are several things you need to do and the guidance takes you through these. If you are interested, do get in touch with your local Neighbourhood Team. Email is in the link : Playing Out guidelines Edinburgh | The City of Edinburgh Council

Local road works advertised recently and now started and the end date is often nice to know! SIR HARRY LAUDER ROAD Various locations Scottish Power – maintenance works on electricity pylons. Off-peak temporary traffic lights and lane closures as required. From 09/06/16 until 30/08/16 Portobello /Craigmillar PORTOBELLO HIGH STREET Between King’s Road and Fishwives Causeway Building development works (new Aldi store) Lane closures / contraflow from 27/06/16 until 31/07/16

Bike security at the western end of Portobello Promenade on two dates: 24^th July and 7^th August. A local company have set up a unique bicycle security marking sticker system and would like to promote bicycle security to members of the public to raise the profile of their product and bike security. They will offer a free sticker and registration session to passing members of the public. See www.veloeye.com for more information.

Not much time to apply for this funding for growing spaces, and maybe the timing is not the best, but Scottish Government have put some up: http://www.edible-edinburgh.org/funds-available-to-make-scotland-a-good-food-nation/

Tribe Porty Youth Theatre are performing their show ‘Mary Poppins’ as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August. Book now through the Fringe Box Office! Link here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mary-poppins

Fresh from my Forth Rail Bridge abseil scary experience, I’m thinking of signing up for Richmond’s Hope sponsored walk on Sunday 14 August around Arthur’s Seat – feet firmly on the ground with this one! Care to join me? To sign up, contact Richmond’s Hope on 0131 661 6818 or info@richmondshope.org.uk More here about this fantastic local charity started in the heart of Craigmillar in 2003. Sign up to support the charity here: https://www.justgiving.com/richmondshope

Just a few more days to support this great Art Porty public art project through crowdfunding. Help commission some exciting site specific artworks for this year and to create a permanent home for ‘Cressida’ The Tidal Octopus. I’ve pledged my bit last night. Click here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/art-walk-porty

Meal Makers is a local neighbourhood food-sharing project that connect volunteers of any age who have a passion for cooking, with an older neighbour who would appreciate a home cooked meal and a friendly chat. If you find that you always make too much when cooking and could easily find an extra portion for an older person in your area then please sign up and they will get you up and running as a Meal Maker! More here: www.mealmakers.org.uk

It’s great that the bouncy castle is back at Straiton Place Park. There are a lot of families who are very happy to see it return, complete with very effective noise mufflers, although Albert Reid only has permission for weekends not throughout the summer, as he originally hoped…..

Have a great summer! A bit of sunshine would not go amiss!!

Best wishes

Maureen