Dear All

 

A day of activities for all the family a Craft Skill Festival on Saturday at Craigmillar Castle as part of the Festival. See here: Craigmillar Castle Event

 

Portobello Sandcastle Competition this weekend alongside the Big Beach Busk! More about the completion and this coming Monday’s Portobello Community Counicl Meeting here: Portobello Community Council

The Portobello Village Show takes place the following Sunday. September 6^th .  How to get involved here:  What’s on at Portobello Village Show

 

The Portobello Book Festival is launching its programme next week, when it will become available on the website (http://portobellobookfestival.blogspot.co.uk).  The programme will also be available at the Book Festival’s stall at the Village Fair on the afternoon of Sunday 6 September in Rosefield Park (http://www.the-pod.org/forthcomingevents.html)

 

I have been nagging about the installation of anti-pigeon netting at the Brighton Place/Southfield Place. Network Rail is now looking to do the inspection during 6 night time road sessions between 7 – 15 September. We anticipate that the Council’s bridges team Contractor will follow Network Rail and erect the bird netting immediately after Network Rail have completed their work.

 

The cycling hub at Hunter’s Hall Park, Niddrie Mains Road is has reached a second stage.  Following study visit down south, the design team are considering a number of amendments to the original brief. A Stage 1 funding application has been submitted to Sport Scotland. The final design will require planning consent so there will be more opportunities for community comment and input. If all goes according to plan, the estimated completion date is autumn 2016, with any upgrading of the Jack Kane Centre Sports Centre and Community Wing later, subject to funding. Two potential sites in west Edinburgh for a closed road loop are currently being assessed. Committee report link here: Update on Cycling Hub and Closed Road Loop  

 

Grab a Grant for Autumn!  Action Earth is helping to get people and communities busy outdoors.  The campaign has grants to give to groups of volunteers who are carrying out environmental projects in Scotland. Grants from £50 to £250 are available for practical activities that involve volunteers in improving outdoor spaces or creating habitats for wildlife. Grants can be used to purchase plants, tools and materials or to cover volunteer expenses. The campaign is run by Volunteering Matters (formerly known as CSV) from April to December each year and is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage. If you have any questions contact Robert Henderson  on T: 0131 622 7766 or robert.henderson@volunteeringmatters.org.uk For more information  and to apply online go to: Action Earth Grants

 

The Borders Railway open very soon.  The stops and opportunities along the way are being promoted, locally and more widely and on social media.  The train stops at Newcraighall just an 11 minute trip from Edinburgh Waverley. This former mining village of Newcraighall, is the setting of the Bill Douglas film ‘My Childhood’. The village is also home to a sculpture celebrating its mining tradition by Jake Harvey. At Brunstane Station, the trip to Edinburgh Waverley takes 9 minutes. Brunstane is billed as being near the campus of Edinburgh College and the best stop on the line for Portobello beach. A group of children form Brunstane Primary School will have the opportunity of sharing the official opening and journey with the Queen.

 

The changes to parking in the city are explained here: Parking Changes Explained  Read the full report to Committee here: Draft Parking Action Plan

The Portobello Market is on Saturday 5th September. The Caleerie Buskers will be on site to add some light entertainment to the day as well.

Loyal regulars are there with their organic meats, breads, fruit & veg, oils, cheeses, coffee, pies, chutneys, together with garden furniture, crafts and jewellery, sandwiches and fresh brewed coffee. 24 traders in all. Check out the PEDAL website for more details and for a full list of stallholders. 9.30am to 1.30pm, Brighton Park on Brighton Place, Portobello. Please Like and Share the Facebook page: Porty Market on Facebook

Duddingston Primary School and St John’s RC Primary School are in the first group of schools to have ‘school streets’ introduced which restricts vehicles at the peak morning and afternoon at peak times when children and going to and from school.  Information on this and how to get a residents permit: Apply for your School Streets Permit | School Streets Permit | The City of Edinburgh Council

 

Do you volunteer in Edinburgh? Can you spare a moment to take our short survey and help shape the future? Volunteering Survey

 

Are you, or is someone you know, living in Edinburgh and struggling financially? The Edinburgh Trust might be able to help. See more here: The Edinburgh Trust

 

You or someone you know may be bothered by high hedges that are overgrowing and casting big unwelcome shadows over neighbouring houses gardens and blocking light.  There is action that those affected can take under relatively new legislation.  To make an application for a High Hedge Notice, visit the Council web page and read the information contained there. You can access the relevant pages by clicking here. The Guidance for High Hedge Applications explains the High Hedge Notice process and what you are required to do prior to making an application.

Have a good 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

 

p.s. My face-to-face Councillor Advice Sessions, or ‘Surgeries’, are usually every Monday at 5.30 pm in Castleview Community Centre, 76 Craigmillar Castle Avenue (Phone 661 4064) and then at 7 pm in Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue (Phone 529 5558).  Now also at Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road, EH16 4DT, 1st Wednesday of the month, drop-in session 5pm-5.30pm, thereafter by appointment only up until 7.30pm. Please phone me on Direct Line 0131 529 3268 or Mobile 07718 666 481, or email maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk to check availability, make an appointment or request a home visit.