Dear All

St Mark’s Episcopal Church, in Portobello High Street,  is gearing up for Christmas with a Christmas Fair and coffee morning this Saturday, 24 November, from 10am to 12 noon. Coffee and bacon rolls will be available, as well as a selection of stalls, crafts, a tombola and raffle for a Christmas hamper. Admission is free. The church will also host a special Christmas concert by Dalkeith and Monktonhall Brass Band on Sunday 9 December at 6.30pm. Tickets for the concert are £8 each with free entry for under 16s. Further details at www.stmarksportobello.org or 0131 629 1219.

Portobello Panthers Netball Club have had Sunday morning sessions running for P4-S3 at Portobello High School on Sunday’s for the past few years. They are now looking at formalising this group into an official club recognised by Netball Scotland and entering local competitions.  In conjunction with Netball Scotland we are holding an information session in the PE classroom at Portobello High School on Wednesday 28 November from 6.30pm-7.30pm for anyone interested in getting involved in any capacity.  Edinburgh University are already on board. For any further information please contact me at paddy.dearlove@ea.edin.sch.uk

As a disgruntled local resident, it doesn’t feel to me like the refuse collection service is settling down into a normal, regular kind of service we have good reason to expect.  Citywide, after all the changes, complaints have levelled out a bit.  I have the experience of my own street, but do keep on letting me know about missed collections in your neighbourhood and I will highlight them to management.  No point in suffering in silence or muttering to friends, family and neighbours without complaining to those whose job it is to do something about it. And this doesn’t just apply to refuse collection.  Tell me about it!

When the recycling IS collected, may wonder what happens to it.  This might be of interest: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20001/bins_and_recycling/12/what_happens_to_your_recycling 

You are invited to come along to the community tree dressing event at Craigmillar Castle Park on 1 December from 3pm to 6pm as part of Tree Week.

I am delighted that Portobello-based beach volleyball is a Top 3 Finalist in the Sunday Mail Sports Scotland Scottish Sports Awards for ‘Local Club of the Year’. They are up against some inspiring clubs but are understandably very proud and excited to get the recognition for growing their game from our local beach.

The 363rd meeting of Portobello Community Council will be held on Monday 26 November 2018 at 7:30pm in Portobello Baptist Church Hall, 185 Portobello High Street. Any additional items not already included on the agenda should be notified to the Secretary in advance if possible. Links here: Agenda and Draft Minutes: October 2018 Minutes (DRAFT)

A Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) was submitted to The City of Edinburgh Council s week for land  East of Corbieshot, The Jewel, Edinburgh, EH15 3AR.  I have a copy the map, of you would like to see it.  No detail yet.