Dear All
Thank you very much for the kind words about my recently diagnosed ‘frozen shoulder’. I thought I had edited that bit of indulgent self-pity out of the final text, but it crept back in. I can report that the physiotherapy, acupuncture and the daily exercises are working and I can feel the progress. Thank you Niall and The Physiotherapy Place, 177 Porty High Street – see you next week!
Niall and I talked about the impending closure of Brighton Place for those major works. The Council decision is already determined – to go with setts, not asphalt – and that position will not change. The work was designed and went to tender, not long after the Committee made the final decision, and the start date is now highly likely to be in early September. The appointed contractor will soon be invited to meet representatives of those of us most affected by the works – local residents, businesses, public transport users, St John’ RC Church – to discuss how we can best minimise the inevitable huge disruption to our daily lives and the way we operate.
The technical issue with my Thistle Everyday Hero fundraising page has been resolved and I am now able to thank people for their kind donations online. I have edited the blurb and, through my Facebook page, I’m sharing the photos of my walking journeys round the while Ward clocking up 6-10 miles whenever I can. More about how to sponsor, or even stroll along beside us four Councillors as part of the Thistle 100 Team are here: https://edinburghkiltwalk2018.everydayhero.com/uk/maureen-4
A Horticultural Society, with quite a few keen local members, are holding their annual Flower Show on Saturday 18 August at the Brunton Hall in Musselburgh. It starts at 1pm and prize-giving starts at 3.30pm. There are Flowers, Vegetables, Baking, Handcrafts, kids events, photography and tea and coffee. All welcome!
There is a Family Forest Festival 19 August, 1pm – 4 pm, organised by the wonderful Ben McCallum of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust. A big event, full of fun outdoor activities. There will be a petting zoo with lots of exciting, exotic and cuddly animals, a circus skills workshop, artist Kenny Bean’s caravan obscura, face painting, games, arts & crafts, and much more. All activities are free! Meet at the adventure playground in Craigmillar Caste Park. See link below for a map. http://streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=328450&Y=671050&A=Y&Z=110 Please note: Parking is very limited so do find ways to walk, cycle or use public transport to get there. If you would like more information please contact Ben on 0131 445 4025 or email: ben@elgt.org.uk.
The wonderful Magdalene Community Garden growers are doing their annual community BBQ on Saturday 18 August 1pm – 4pm. Everyone welcome. This is a free community event.
There has been lots happening to benefit the bees and other vital pollinators across Edinburgh, as Hebe Carus of the Scottish Wildlife Trust revealed in a recent catch up with Jim Jeffrey, SNH Pollinator Strategy Manager. Read on here: https://scotlandsnature.blog/2018/08/07/pollinating-edinburghs-living-landscape/. More about our fabulous Edinburgh Living Landscape Partnership here: https://edinburghlivinglandscape.org.uk/
The fab Art Walk returns to Portobello this year from 30 August to 9 September. The curated programme will centre on the ‘Pleasure Ground’ with a series of events, performance, film and participatory work that draw upon Portobello’s seaside entertainment history, of the music hall, bandstand, pier, fairground and other lost spaces, whilst also reflecting on the way we use our public spaces now. Watch this space!
The amazing vibrant Big Beach Busk is back for its 9th year on Saturday 25 August, from noon, on Portobello Promenade. https://en-gb.facebook.com/BigBeachBusk/
Portobello Community Greengrocer plans to establish a community-owned greengrocer at the heart of the community providing local residents and visitors with the opportunity to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, sourced locally where possible. Their aim is to strengthen community spirit too and they need to build up a fair number of committed volunteers to actually make it happen. More here: http://portobellocg.org.uk/2018/07/31/campaign-launch/
For the 4th year running the Portobello & Craigmillar Neighbourhood Partnership are giving local people the power to decide how our £22,637 of Community Grants will be spent in Portobello/Craigmillar Ward. There are 4 weeks to go until ‘You Decide!’ is officially open for applications from you the community, so do get ahead of the game and apply now. You can chat to Scott Neill (0131 469-5326) or e-mail him (scott.neill@edinburgh.gov.uk) about any project or piece of work you feel would improve your local area. Your application doesn’t have to be long or complicated, so don’t feel daunted. Individuals in the community will decide, by using their 5 votes, for the projects that will make that all important difference. There are two funding pots available. Groups can apply for the smaller fund which remains at £500, however this year the large funding stream is up to £2,000. What could you do in your area with a little bit of funding? All information is now available on our Portobello/Craigmillar Neighbourhood Partnership website; https://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/portobello-and-craigmillar/about/you-decide!/you-decide!-2018/
That’s all for now!
Best wishes
Maureen
Councillor Maureen Child
Labour Councillor Portobello/Craigmillar Ward
Office: 0131 529 3268
Mobile: 07718 666 481
Facebook Page: Maureen Child Standing Up for Portobello/Craigmillar
Twitter: @MaureenChild1
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