Dear All
I just love it when the fabulous Portobello Reporter comes through our letterbox. Now you can get it here: http://porty.org.uk/wordpress/
I had a couple of queries about whether Porty Beach still being machine-cleaned along its full length to Joppa. The tractor driver was diverted to cover annual leave on one of our street cleansing vehicles, so the beach has not been cleaned in its entirety every single day. But since some of you asked, the supervisors will make sure the Eastern end of the beach will be given some attention.
It’s Archaeology Month and a representative of the Treasure Trove team from the National Museum of Scotland will be at Newhailes this Saturday 16 September for a free drop in session from 11am – 2pm. Bring along any archaeological artefacts you have unearthed to discover what they are. At 2.15pm there will be a talk on Medieval and later treasure trove found in East Lothian and housed in local museums. Although both events are free, numbers are limited so drop in to the visitor centre or call 0131 665 1546 to reserve your place.
Great to see this feature on our two Scottish beach volleyball champs who train very hard indeed on Portobello beach. They are aiming high this coming weekend and I wish them every success!
http://www.thenational.scot/
There is a new baby and toddler group every second Tuesday at St John’s Church Hall, 3 Sandford Gardens, Portobello EH15 1LP from 10 – 11.30am. The next group is on Tuesday, 24 September. Come along to chat, play, relax and meet other parents and carers. There is a small fee of £1 per family, per visit, to contribute towards the hall running costs. This includes tea, coffee and biscuits/cake. Please feel free to join their Facebook group to keep up to date with all info relating to the group. https://www.facebook.com/
I am grateful to Barney Dellar for this link which attempts to bust some of the myths about 20mph and air quality. It injects some research-based scientific findings into this over-heated transport debate. http://www.20splenty.org/
Interesting chat on social media and elsewhere about the cutouts of the Powerleague site. Some of it here: https://www.facebook.com/
There was a unanimous decision of Council to market the site and to ring-fence the proceeds to fill the funding gap for rebuilding Meadowbank. There were no dissenting voices. The questionnaire reflects that fact. It is also a fact that the planning status of that site in the recently approved Local Development Plan is as open space. It is not a designated housing site. Make of all that what you will.
You might have seen the Portobello Rotary traditional games at the Portobello Village Show. Now the club is inviting you to an Doors Open Evening to hear about the work Rotary club members do in the local community and their major worldwide project to eradicate polio. So do come to the King’s Manor Hotel on Wednesday 11 October, 6.15pm for 6.30pm, for a communal meal and chat. Portobello Rotary is a small club, but a welcoming one and it should be a great evening.
The community cinema group in Craigmillar have planned a whole day of outdoor cinema screenings in an amazing yurt for Friday 22 September. These screenings are part of the first event to be held on the temporary green space on this day. Their programme includes local film made over the years, from Arts the Catalyst to Bill Douglas’ My Childhood. The event is about more than just watching a film – but opportunity for people to connect, share stories and come together as a community. Could be a great day and if nothing else a yurt isn’t something you would see every day as you travel along Niddrie Mains Road. More information from dani.Waddell@thistle.org.uk
Portobello Library are having a Dementia Cafe on Tuesday 19 September, 10am – 4pm. A diagnosis of dementia can be a frightening, both for the person with dementia, and for their families and friends. The good news is that there are lots of groups and services in Edinburgh that offer support for people with dementia and those who care for them. Come along to our drop-in cafe to find out more. There will be people on hand to chat you to about dementia, and to help you find groups and services in your local area. You can drop in any time between 10am and 4pm and have a cuppa, a scone and a good natter!
Edinburgh Leisure’s Jump In project works with nursery school children in areas of deprivation. So far, the project has enabled 1,500 nursery children become safer and more confident in and around water. Children get a free block of swimming lessons and the chance to go swimming with their family for just £1. This is followed by 6 months discounted lessons; an affordable way for children to become more confident swimmers.
‘Before his Jump In swimming lessons, Michael was scared of getting in the pool. He hadn’t had lessons before, as he is one of four kids and we couldn’t afford it. With the support of his teachers, Michael has learnt to be safe in the pool and will even jump in! His confidence has grown massively and he is always asking if it’s Friday yet – so he can go swimming. This project has inspired me to take the whole family swimming more often.’
Michael’s mum
Last year Edinburgh Leisure employees took up a fundraising swim challenge to raise funds for the Jump In project. This year it’s public fundraiser; the ‘Jump In Swim Challenge’. During September the Swim Challenge is for everyone to stroke, paddle or crawl their way to 5 or 10km in Edinburgh Leisure pools and raise vital funds for the Jump In project. You can find out more about the project at www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/
That might even get even me in swimming, a few lengths. But not in cold water, I hasten to add!
Do you fancy a spot of beach cleaning this weekend? Here’s your chance to do it with a group of like-minded people: http://www.mcsuk.org/
Have a great weekend, whatever you do!
Maureen
Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | The City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 | Mobile 07718 666 481 | Twitter @MaureenChild1 | Facebook Maureen Child for Portobello/Craigmillar