Councillor Maureen Child is the Labour councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar ward.
Dear All
Chris Dooks is giving a short talk today about his commission for ‘Journey Lines’. Come along and hear a recording of his spoken Portobello Tales as part of his “Stations of the Lost” work, to be followed by a short Q+A.12.30-1.30pm
Portobello Library. See you there?
‘Cressida, The Tidal Octopus’ by Lauren Fox returns to our beach today. Come and join us and celebrate its return!
6pm today Beach Groyne, by Bath Street thanks to the support from Velvet Easel Gallery who has sponsored its return, together with Portobello Community Council and the local community helping to make it happen.
The Art Walk Porty 2016 Programme has 48 venues this year. All at artwalkporty.co.uk Everyone invited to the opening preview of Art Walk Porty at Skylark and at A449 Architects both on Porty High Street Thursday 1 Sept 7-9pm. Poster here:pic.twitter.com/g1ziOi3DyJ
I came across this great film about the roots and history of Craigmillar Festival Society (CFS) and can highly recommend you watch it for a trip down memory lane for some and for others to look and learn why there is a statue to CFS and Helen Crummy at the entrance to Craigmillar Library. That pioneering spirit and spark is still there today. https://arestlessart.com/2016/08/13/remembering-craigmillar-festival-society/
Castlebrae Community High School is building on that Helen Crummy legacy of ‘The arts is the key’. Mike Wade did a piece in The Times yesterday said this: “In a school gym hall on a council estate on the edge of the city, Alan Cumming faced his toughest audience of the Edinburgh International Festival, proof of the little-known showbiz saying: “If you can play Castlebrae High, you can play anywhere.” The festival, soaked up by its wealthy patrons in the city’s New Town, has rarely reached out to the housing schemes that ring the city. But in 2015 it went into partnership with the council and Castlebrae to set up a three-year residency programme to encourage engagement in the arts among 130 youngsters at the school.” The kids would be the stars – if he really did think that was a tough audience but in all the picture I saw, he looked like he and his fabulous audience were enjoying every minute.
Community Council Elections are held every three years and whether there is a vote at the poll, or not, Community Councillors are an elected to post for a term. I am Returning Officer for Portobello Community Council and Councillor David Walker is playing the same role for Craigmillar Community Council. Portobello and Craigmillar Community Council, along with all community councils in Edinburgh, are looking for new members to take part and help improve their neighbourhoods. Nominations start on 5 September 2016 and close on 26 September 2016. What Portobello CC has put up about CCs applies equally well to the Craigmillar CC, both covering Ward 17.
http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2016/08/19/community-council-elections-be-part-of-something-great/
Portobello Community Council’s latest e-newsletter is here: http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2956ebe2eb9011381e70bd2da&id=0f4b656ea7 Do get involved in helping your community thrive and making your neighbourhood a better place!
Several constituents have been in touch to say they fear the George Bingo, 14 Bath Street, is being turned into a night club. The application to demolish the George, and build housing instead, has been refused by the Council as planning authority. It is a listed building and the listing includes internal features. I got in touch with the enforcement section of planning and also with licensing. On the planning position, both uses as Bingo Hall and Night Club fall under ‘Class 11: Assembly and Leisure’ so there is no requirement for planning permission to change one to the other, even although we might feel they could have a different local impact on neighbouring amenity. There had been no need for planning permission for change of use from the original cinema to bingo hall – all Class 11 uses. I have still to hear a definitive view from licensing, but a licensing officer is de to visit to find out what the intention is here.
Portobello Big Busk on the Beach – Saturday 27th of August from 12 noon More here: http://www.edinburghspotlight.com/2016/01/bigbeachbusk2016/
Musselburgh Flower Show is tomorrow, Saturday, 27 August, Brunton Hall from 1-4pm. It promises to be a great family afternoon with cakes, candy and free face painting.
Also on Saturday – an invitation to come to the Community Orchard in Brunstane Road South (opposite Brunstane Station) this Saturday 27 August 10.00am to 2.00pm. Come and lend a hand enjoy the space and join in the chat about Apple Day. The apples are looking good on their Facebook page!
Magdalene Community Centre’s annual fun day is this Sunday August 28 12:30-4pm. Everyone welcome and do spread the word. More here: https://mobile.twitter.com/magdaleneCC/status/767068149762195457/photo/1
Portobello Book Festival takes place as usual over the first weekend of October, and as usual all its events will be free. The Festival organisers raise funds to cover the costs, for which they will have their traditional second-hand book stall at the Village Show on Sunday week, 4 September (2pm to 5pm in Rosefield Park). Do you have any spare/surplus books that you could donate to the stall? If so please bring them along on the day, or if you’d like them collected, please email Bill Jameson (bjameus@hotmail.com). The Book Festival programme will be available at the stall.
Orienteering event with maze in the Figgate Park on Sunday 4 September. Check out link for details.
http://www.esoc.org.uk/events/esoc-ultrasprint-figgate-park-edinburgh-sep-4-2016
Edinburgh’s Riding of the Marches takes place Sunday 11 September roughly 2pm coming through Craigmillar Castle Road, Duddingston Road West, Peffermill Road and King’s Haugh towards Duddingston Village.
Why Me? Survey on experiences of hate crime and support offered. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/whymesurvey
I attended Carr Gomm’s signing of the Charter for Involvement at their HQ in the Space Building and was struck by how well this charter seemed to fit with what we are all trying to do to make Edinburgh a more inclusive co-operative City and do more with people rather than to and for people. You might like to look at http://arcuk.org.uk/scotland/charter-for-involvement/ I raised the possibility of the City Council and partners adopting the Charter with the Council Leader at yesterday’s full Council Meeting and the Council are certainly going to look at it.
Please help spread word about Edinburgh LOOPS phone line which helps Edinburgh people aged 65+ find activities and get out of the house. Here’s a film showcasing the great work they do in tackling loneliness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GhV_iHv8EY&feature=youtu.be LOOPS is short for Lothian Opportunities for Older People.
I joined the Thistle Gym on Wednesday this week and the next challenge is to make use of it! Their beautiful new healthy living centre building is part of Door Open Day this year, but you needn’t wait until then to drop in and find out what they do. Doors Open Day is from 10am on 24 September. Poster here: pic.twitter.com/Fz5Ufixcxd
Portobello Community Choir are starting up again on 31 August. They meet to rehearse at Portobello Baptist Church Hall, 189 Portobello High Street on Wednesdays 7.15pm to 9.15pm.. More here: http://www.portobellocommunitychoir.org/dates/
There’s a craft festival at Craigmillar Castle tomorrow, Saturday 17 August. See here: : Craigmillar Castle Craft Skills Festival at Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh South | What’s On Edinburgh and ‘A league distant’ or Craigmillar Castle in 15 minutes – Historic Environment Scotland Blog
Richmond’s Hope is a fantastic locally conceived and locally based charity which supports children through the loss and bereavement following the death of a family member. It started in Craigmillar and has now providing a service in Glasgow too. To find out more about this fantastic organisation, and donate to an excellent good cause, go to:https://mobile.twitter.com/NES_Bereavement/status/766214989531185153/photo/1?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=RichmondsHope1&utm_content=766611530234421248
You can nominate a neighbour for a Good Neighbour Award. Either the nominee or the person nominating must be a Council tenant. Winners receive a £50 gift voucher https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GoodNeighbourAward
Vintage Vibes are looking for lovely folks to join their community of volunteers in and around Portobello and Leith. They will provide information about volunteering and put together people with shared interests to create friendships. It’s flexible, fun, fulfilling and all takes place within our local area. If you are interested in developing a friendship with someone over 60 who is lonely and isolated near you, then find out a little more about volunteering with Vintage Vibes. They work to make it as flexible and fun as possible. More here:www.vintagevibes.org.uk
They say these are 18 things you’ll only know about Portobello if you’ve lived (t)here trib.al/envrqzU pic.twitter.com/zMTDolGd2t
A local resident is organising a Figgate Burn Clean Up from Bridge Street on Sunday 25 September 10am to 1pm meeting at Bridge Street Car Park. I have made sure he has the right Council contact – this time – to get all the kit needed to do the job. He just needs the volunteers to turn up in the same numbers as the three times we did the Brunstane Burn and we’ll get it done in no time!
Health Opportunities Team (HOT) based near The Thistle in Craigmillar at 1 Queen’s Walk do 1:1 support for young people and have drop-in advice sessions for young people needing some support in local areas including Portobello and their base at Craigmillar, They now have an email support service them: Contact HOT at getsupport@health-opportunities.org.uk for help, information and advice.
A Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) fund is now open to help finance green space projects, including active travel –bit.ly/1LbzLur
Portobello Market is on again on Saturday 3 September. Gates open at 9.30am and we run until 1.30pm in Brighton Park, Portobello Check out the website for a full list of all the traders coming along.
Let’s Sing: starts Tuesday 6 September, 11am – 12.30pm at Fisherrow Community Centre, South Street, Musselburgh. They say: “If you are worried about you memory or living with a diagnosis of dementia and like to sing or would like to try – this may be the group for you! Singing is good for the brain and fun. We sing familiar songs and simple harmonies from around the world. Family, friends and supporters are also welcome. Come every week or just drop in – it’s free.” More information from: Penny Stone, m.07805454620 or e-mail: lets.sing.brunton@gmail.com
That’s all I have time for now. Have a great weekend!
Best wishes
Maureen
Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 | Mobile 07718 666 481| Twitter @MaureenChild1
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
