Dear All

It was a privilege to be able to pay a Full Council tribute to the current Head Teacher of Castleview Primary School in Craigmillar who was awarded the very prestigious annual Scottish Government Robert Owen Award, joining a pantheon of internationally renowned previous recipients. It has been even more of a privilege for me to know Lyndsey Watt, to work with her in the Craigmillar community and to learn so much about leadership from her.  This was truly inspired choice for this very Inspiring Educator for a hugely inspiring educator. More about Lyndsey and her personal and professional journey here from an Evening News article four years ago: http://www.scotsman.com/news/lindsey-watt-heading-in-the-right-direction-1-2954867

Also this morning, your four Portobello/Craigmillar Councillors – working together as a Local Ward team – secured cross-Party consensus on a way forward for the Powerleague site to ensure that the widest range of people in the community are fully and properly involved in getting the best possible development on the site that meets the wider needs of East Edinburgh and our own neighbourhood in Portobello at the same time.

Craigmillar Castle Park Event for Halloween is on Sunday 29 October, 2pm-5pm. This promises to be lots of fun, with spooky games and activities thanks to the effective collaboration of quite a number of people and their organisations working together! For booking, and more information, email: ben@elgt.org.uk

Here’s a link to great prospectus put together for Castlebrae Community High School as it continues to grow from strength to strength:  

http://www.castlebrae.org.uk/cb/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Prospectus-2017-version.pdf

Holyrood High School news is also well worth looking up regularly through their website: http://www.holyroodrchighschool.co.uk/

Newcraighall Autumn Fair is on 10am-4pm Saturday 28 October Crafts, gifts, vintage collectibles and other stalls with live music and refreshments at Wellsprings (the old church), 71 Whitehill St, Newcraighall EH21 8QZ.

Thistle are holding cheese tasting and art sale night to raise much-needed funds and are delighted to welcome artist and printmaker, Linda Sheridan, who will be happy to talk about her work and is offering prints for sale.In 2016, Linda’s ‘Coal Fans Portobello’ was selected for an open exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy. Meanwhile Bams Deli in Musselburgh is providing a tasting with cheeses from all over Europe – Holland, Spain, Italy France – in addition to its range of wonderful Scottish fare.  Drinks will also be provided.  A Tai Chi taster session will be led by Thistle volunteer Margaret Hendry. Tickets are available at reception £10.  All profits go to support the work of the Thistle Foundation, Thistle Centre of Wellbeing 13 Queens Walk, EH16 4EA.

Another note for your diary – St Martin’s Church in Magdalene are holding their Autumn Fair on 18 November. Any gifts for the fair will be gratefully received any Sunday between now and then. 

Here’s a great write up for Portobello Book Festival in the Edinburgh Reporter. This year’s was decidedly the best yet, I think, as it gets better every year.   Click and read here: http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2017/10/portobello-book-festival-2017-a-community-triumph/

Craigmillar Book Festival 2017 is coming up 16 – 25 November, with over 40 events for children and young people in Craigmillar. All events are free.  

Lothian Buses have increased passenger numbers by 50% in the last 6 months. Hundreds more have been using LB’s newly extended services to Fort Kinnaird that launched six months ago. Since announcing the changes in April, Lothian has seen a 50% rise in the number of passengers using Services 18 and 49 to travel to the shopping, dining and leisure. The half-hourly Service 18 runs to Fort Kinnaird from the Royal Infirmary via Little France and Greendykes Road, and the Service 49 connects Leith, Lochend and Portobello to Fort Kinnaird every 20 minutes. More here:

https://lothianbuses.co.uk/news/article/fort-kinnaird-bus-routes-are-a-big-success

There are a few days left for you to cast your vote for your favourite park.  My vote is for the Figgate Park – of course! http://www.fieldsintrust.org/bestpark/nominations?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=card&utm_campaign=ukbp2017vote&utm_term=organic&utm_content=171025_istockv

The next Portobello Timebank Brunstane Burn Clean Up is on Saturday 4 November 1.30pm – 4pm.

I enjoyed my break last week, but it is good to be back! 

Best wishes

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