Dear All

This weekend, Doors Open Day is unlocking some of the city’s best hidden gems. Five of them are local to Portobello or Craigmillar – Ramp House, St Mark’s Church, The White House, Wauchope Mausoleum and Robin Chapel.  Programme here: http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/area_programmes.aspx?Page=12&areaid=16

The 6^th Portobello Book Festival is nearly upon us – next weekend.  All events are free but ticketed and you can pick up a brochure and tickets at Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue , EH15 1AU.  Venues are Portobello Old Parish Church Hall, Bellfield Street and Dalriada, 77 Promenade. The Festival is form 3-5 October  More on their website www.portobellobookfestival.blogspot.com  Some venues are already full, although if you go along to the venue on the day, there may be some returns.

Community Connecting is an innovative service across Edinburgh which directly helps isolated older people get involved in activities in their local communities and take up hobbies both old and new. It has a huge positive impact on their quality of life. All it takes is a couple of hours of your time a week. Find out more:

http://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/community_connecting

As probably already know, the Council has its Second Proposed Edinburgh Local Development Plan (LDP) out for public consultation. As part of this, a current housing proposal is to take a large area of land, immediately south of the Brunstane Burn and north of Newcraighall, between Brunstane House and Newhailes House, out of the Green Belt. Without the Green Belt designation, it is far more likely that any planning application to build houses on this land would be successful. The Brunstane site, which would possibly accommodate around 1330 housing units, would be accessed from the north by a new road off Milton Road East, beside the cemetery, with new bridges built over the Brunstane Burn and the main East Coast railway line. Further information about this proposal and about the Second Proposed LDP, can be found at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/localdevelopmentplan. Copies of the plan can also be seen in Portobello or Craigmillar Libraries. Comments on the proposals have to be lodged by 3^rd October at 5pm on special forms which can be downloaded from the above website or obtained by contacting localdevelopmentplan@edinburgh.gov.uk or by phoning 0131 529 4692.  Please note that individually composed letters, rather than petitions or signed forms with the same wording, are very much more powerful.  And you must use the right forms.

Portobello/Craigmillar Ward has an established Neighbourhood Partnership.  Ours is chaired by Councillor Mike Bridgman. Edinburgh’s Neighbourhood Partnerships bring together the community, police, health, fire and rescue, voluntary sector and local Councillors, supported by officers from the Council. Each of Edinburgh’s 12 Neighbourhood Partnerships has a three year local community plan, which identifies local priorities informed by communities. The priorities in the plans cover a range of themes including health, transport, environment, community safety, children and older people. Working with communities and partners, Neighbourhood Partnerships aim to tackle these issues and make neighbourhoods a better place to live. The new local community plans 2014-17 will be published in October. Copies will be available local libraries, neighbourhood offices, at Neighbourhood Partnership events or online at www.edinburghnp.org.uk  For more details of activity across the city, see the Neighbourhood Partnership newsletter by clicking on: bit.ly/1ni8bko

There was a meeting in Portobello Town Hall on 10 September, and drop in sessions elsewhere n the city, and there is still time and opportunity to have your say on 20mph zones for Edinburgh.  On line go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/20mph and complete the online form or email with questions or comments to: 20mph@edinburgh.gov.uk  All comments must be received by 17 October 2014.  There are leaflets in all libraries right now with more information too.

Autumn is upon us and the vibrant colours it brings are bringing a smile to everyone’s life. Sounds a lot like Portobello Market! The next market is on Saturday 4th October, next weekend. Come along for a bit of shopping for things you can’t get anywhere else in Porty. Buy a snack and sit at the tables watching the world go by and listening to the live music by the Caleerie Buskers. Take a wander and buy something from the wide variety of traders offering everything from handmade soaps to organic cheese; plants to garden furniture and wood crafts; organic mutton to condiments & oils; organic fruit & veg, fresh bread, homemade jams and coffee to handmade sweets and textiles to African vegetarian cuisine! Wow, that’s a big choice!  Check out the website for further details of all the stallholders. See you there, Brighton Park, 9.30am to 1.30pm, Saturday 4th October.

Last update I asked about problems with water pressure and several people in Portobello, mostly people in tenements, got back to me to say they had.  I have compiled a list of properties with problems and batted that over to Scottish Water. Some people told me they had problems but this was now resolved, others were still affected.  The number to call to make a complaint to Scottish Water is 0845601 8855, email customer.services@scottishwater.co.uk  and their website is www.scottishwater.co.uk

Have a great weekend!

Best wishes

Maureen