South Queensferry petition – council will have time to respond
After a petition was lodged with the council demanding closure of the Hawes car park in South Queensferry and other measures to deter boy racers”, councillors decided to ask for a report within two cycles with suggested solutions. But many practical solutions were already discussed at a lengthy public meeting almost a year ago, and the petition suggested some of the options which they think will help – closing the car park, more traffic calming measures, and collaboration between the police and the council including CCTV cameras, speed cameras and noise monitoring cameras.
One of the options – installing speed tables has already been implemented in the car park but has only made matters worse as the petitioners say that bikers use them as a launch pad.
Police Scotland and council officers all attended at least two of the three public meetings convened by Edinburgh Western MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton. The first was held in September last year. Then the option of installing speed bumps or tables was investigated, and also the logistics of closing the car park in the evening – which would mean someone might have to attend to close a physical gate there and then open it again in the morning.
Petitioners – at the discretion of the Convener – may have up to ten minutes to put their case forward to councillors, but in this case the meeting heard from two separate petitions on Thursday. The first was only allotted three minutes, and so Cllr Stephen Jenkinson offered the South Queensferry petitioners the same length of time which meant they had to curtail their presentation. Mr Scott began his presentation by saying: “Ten minutes is not a long time to go through the years of anguish and torment that we’ve had to suffer at South Queensferry.”
Travelling Gallery is off to Art Walk Porty
The Travelling Gallery will be in Portobello this weekend as part of Art Walk Porty. On 13 September from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm the distinctive buss will be parked and open for visitors at Portobello High Street, just outside Portobello Town Hall EH15 1AF
Rounding off Travelling Gallery’s 2025 programme the work on display is In Another Realm, a group exhibition developed in collaboration with Sculpture Placement Group (SPG) and featuring the work of artists Laura Aldridge, Nick Evans, Louise Gibson, Aimee Lax, Aniara Omann & Daisy Richardson.
In Another Realm takes inspiration from science fiction’s engagement with the environment and the genre’s value as a tool for thinking critically about climate change. The selection of works on display in the exhibition suggest an imaginary world and landscape, where traces of human existence can be found, but where life is continuing without us.
Throughout 2025, Travelling Gallery has been touring exhibitions themed around The Environment & Climate Emergency. For In Another Realm we have worked with Sculpture Placement Group (SPG). SPG develop creative initiatives and tools for artists and the wider arts sector to address the urgent challenges posed by the Climate Emergency. The exhibition highlights their Loan Toolkit, an initiative that loans artworks to community groups and organisations. The scheme provides an opportunity for artists to extend the life-cycle of artworks, often languishing in long-term storage and it brings work to new audiences.
LeithChooses
Applications are now open for LeithChooses, the participatory budgeting fund which awards money to local community projects in the wider Leith area.
Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 for a project that “enhances well-being for Leithers” and applications will be put to the public vote on 24 January at Leith Community Centre, Kirkgate at the LeithChooses Community Vote Day.
This year 11 new projects received funding, following an exceptionally busy vote day, including a new children’s running group, summer holiday workshops for children and parents, tea dances for seniors, a playground mural and a multicultural celebration day.
LeithChooses Chair, Councillor Susan Rae, said “Many organisations from Leith have benefited from our participatory budget fund in the past, and we are excited to see what innovative projects Leith groups come up with this time, on the theme of ‘well-being in Leith’. LeithChooses is entering its 15th year and we never fail to be impressed by the enthusiasm and resilience of Leithers.”
Cllr Jack Caldwell, who is also in the Steering Group, said: “We are really excited to see what ideas come forward’ said ‘from Newhaven to Broughton, Constitution Street to Hillside, LeithChooses has funded many groups and activities and this year should be no different.
Applications close on 22 October.
leithchooses.net/applications-for-leithchooses-2025-26-are-now-open
Edinburgh Art Fair 19-21 September
A reminder that the 20th anniversary Edinburgh Art Fair takes place at the Corn Exchange from 19 to 21 September. There is a a complete programme of talks and demonstrations to entertain visitors this year. Artists Trevor Jones, Andrew Crummy MBE, Laura Gressani, Alexander Millar, Reggie Baxter, and Katy Rundle will discuss their work.
Alexander Millar, Aska Marzec, and Alastair Blain will conduct live painting demonstrations.
Details of these can be viewed on the website along with dates and times for specific talks.
Bike Polo at The Gyle Park
You may be too late to register but this will no doubt be a good spectator sport with a difference. The Scottish Hardcourt Intercity Tournament is being played over two days 13 and 14 September. And if you go then do share some photos or video with us!
