The hall at Bellfield came alive again recently with an inter-generational event, Portobello Love Stories. Organised by Tribe Porty Youth Theatre, Action Porty and Portobello Heritage Trust, it was a lovely afternoon of memory sharing between Portobello Older People’s Project participants and members of the youth theatre. We learnt plenty from this pilot event which will help us when we open fully in June. Thanks to our singer Sarah Laing and everyone who volunteered on the day.
Action Porty now includes a sub-group, Action Westbank, which is campaigning to positively influence the future of the Pitz/Tumbles site by Westbank Street in Portobello. On 27th March City of Edinburgh Council will vote on whether to sell the site to Cala Homes. We propose that the sale must be stopped and – if this publicly-owned land must be sold – then its future must be determined by a community-led design which meets the wider needs of a rapidly changing area.
We warmly invite all residents of Portobello and the wider area to participate in our drop-in Design Weekend at Portobello Town Hall, which will focus on alternative, better futures for the site:
Community-led Design Weekend Saturday 3rd March 10am-5pm Sunday 4th March 12.30-1.30pm
The programme includes a mix of informative sessions, public discussions and participatory design sessions led by local facilitators and architects. We value your ideas and you are welcome to attend one or all of these sessions, or just drop in to receive more information. For full details, visit our website.
Finally, local group Save the George are asking anyone who backs their attempt to save and restore the former cinema to sign up as a friend via their website and, if possible, to attend the Council meeting on Wednesday 21st February which will hear a planning application for substantial demolition and 20 new luxury flats.
