Dear All
Lots of people are asking: “What on Earth is going on at the much-loved pottery kilns at the foot of Bridge Street?!” If you recall, the top part of the 1908 kiln collapsed and had to be rebuilt with heritage brick and it looks fabulous. An annual inspection of the1906 kiln showed there was a real risk of this one collapsing too. If that did happen, the Heras fencing would not be enough protection for our safety, nor for its twin kiln. So, taking the advice of conservation engineers, the wooden hoarding is going up while part-demolition and rebuilding work is planned under the direction of Historic Environment Scotland. The kilns are very much loved, and they are Scheduled Ancient Monuments, so this second kiln will have to be rebuilt and restored too. I will keep you updated!
The monthly Portobello Market is on again in Brighton Park this Saturday 5 May 9.30am to 1.30pm. More detail here: https://www.pedal-porty.org.
Full list of traders here : http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/
Residents’ annual spring clean of Rosefield and Brighton Parks is on Saturday 12 May, starting at 10 am in Rosefield Park, and moving on to Brighton Park. Gloves and litter picks will be provided. If you fancy doing a bit of clearing out of the Figgate Burn here, do please bring your wellies or waders. There will also be refreshments.
We four Portobello/Craigmillar Councillors made a plea to Council officers, so the Pipe Street public toilets are open again from today, ahead of the scheduled summer season opening. An inspection took place last week, which identified some repairs were needed, but these got done and dusted today. Please note that the toilets at nearby Tumbles and further along at Portobello Swim Centre and Bath Street are open for free public use too, all year round.
The preliminary design for Quiet Route 61 – Moredunvale Road to Little France Drive have recently gone live on the consultation hub. Please see:
https://consultationhub.
There are lots of great events going on as part of Vibrant Musselburgh Festival 18-20 May. Portobello resident, Jane Lewis, is running a singing for health and wellbeing workshop on the Saturday morning, and The Warblers are part of the Live Music event at 1pm that day. There’s songwriting, a poetry slam and more. To get involved, contact Jane Lewis, 7 Rosefield Avenue, EH15 1AT; Phone: 0131-669 5591; Mobile: 07519 582130.
A meeting about a possible Portobello community greengrocer will be on 10 May at the Wash House, 3 Adelphi Place at 7.30pm. The meeting will hear the results of the recent market survey, and establish a dedicated group of volunteers to take the project forward. If you are interested, please do try to go along.
A reminder that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service wants your view on its future. Click here: https://firescotland.
Joppa Community Tennis Club’s Open Day is on Saturday 12 May from 2pm to 5pm. There is free coaching for children and cream teas will be served. Throughout the day, there are also fun challenges on the lawn for kids from 3 to 12.
Coffee Morning at St Mark’s Church on Saturday 12 May 10am-12noon at 287 Portobello High Street EH15 2AR. Free admission.
The North East Locality Committee Met last week for the second time and we majored on health and well-being work. That part is very well worth a listen form the Committee archive. Papers link here::http://www.edinburgh.
Webcast here : https://edinburgh.public-i.tv/
Final reminder of the get together on Monday 14 May 2-4 at the Fresh Start garden beside the Chapel at the Thistle Foundation, Craigmillar. There are vegetable and flower seeds to pick up; Morven from the tool library will be there with her bike kitchen with soup and foraged pesto; oatcakes from Nairn’s; teas and coffees, and herbal teas to taste. Frank from Portobello Timebank will sharpen any tools you have needing a bit of tender loving care. For more info information, do contact Karin Chipulina Craigmillar Community Grows; Community Development Worker for Carr Gomm, c/o The Thistle,13 Queens Walk, EH16 4EA. Tel: 07824 838 364
There is an excellent Evening of Poetry and Prose on Thursday 10 May at the Thistle by the Thistle Scribblers including readings, a raffle, book sale and a glass of wine (or soft drink) and a first look at their new Anthology. Doors are open at 6.30pm and tickets are £3 to include a glass of wine or soft drink.
As part of the Edinburgh Shoreline Project, Porty resident and Timebanker Emily O’Brien has support to make habitat improvements to the strip of land behind some of the Seafield car showrooms. So far, Peter Vardy and Arnold Clark are on board to work together with local volunteers on clearing and planting. The Shoreline Project will provide advice and native coastal plants. The project’s Urban Biodiversity Officer from RBGE will lead a walk-round to look at the area and share ideas on Thursday 10 May at 6pm. Meet at the foot of King’s Road for a walk-round lasting about an hour. Shoreline has also offered to host a bigger wildlife walk in the Seafield area later in the summer. Leading on from the walk-round, the aim is to get a small group together to plan some habitat work days for everyone to join in through the summer. Expertise and advice welcome! More about the project here:
http://www.rbge.org.uk/about-
Have a great weekend!
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