Dear All

I was recently asked the origin of a street name Egan Terrace in Greendykes.  All new street names come for a bank of names, some of which are suggested by local people and all have an historical back ground.  The justification for Egan is: “Private Charles Egan, who was a musician with the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch, contracted tuberculosis and was sent to the Wauchope family home to recover by his commanding officer, Colonel Andrew Wauchope.  Unfortunately, the orphaned boy died on 26 April 1893, aged 15, and was buried in the nearby Wauchope family burial ground where his gravestone has recently been refurbished.” If you want to have a name considered for inclusion, this is the kind of information that would help make the case. You can email street.naming@edinburgh.gov.uk. The street naming office are also always willing to explain the origins of a current name or consider a new one for inclusion.

I headed along this morning to the unveiling of the fabulous mural at the Dog and Cat Home.  This happened because of the excellent Shoreline Project which has now provided a free activity pack for those of us keen to continue to be involved:  http://edinburghshoreline.org.uk/get-your-free-shoreline-activity-pack/  But admiring the mural should definitely be one thing can all do!  Good coverage in the Edinburgh Evening News here : https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-dog-and-cat-home-to-unveil-80ft-mural-at-seafield-promenade-1-4915758

Do not forget to take part in the consultation on the future of Portobello Golf Course and how to improve its use: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/edinburgh-leisure-survey-portobello-golf-course. Remember that the whole of this Portobello Park area is Common Good land and cannot be used for any other purpose than recreation. This is genuinely a consultation about its recreational use. The Portobello High School land is also Common Good, but now for the purpose of education.

Porty Wash House is calling for volunteers: enthusiastic, able, ‘can do’ people keen to support your local community. “We need you! The Wash House, (AKA Portobello Community Centre), is seeking volunteers to join the management committee, which meets once a month and plays a vital role in keeping our vibrant and busy centre open for all ages and a huge range of activities. Management and venue skills are an added bonus, but enthusiasm the most important! No one takes on more than they are able, and training and induction on offer. If you think you might be that person, get in touch to find out more. Message us on facebook  (Porty Wash House), and message us, or get in touch through our website.”  Link here: https://thewashhouse.org/

Yesterday at Full Council I was appointed Active Travel Champion.  Eek! So I now feel I need to do even more than 10,000 steps a day and get on the bike more, if I can wrestle it back from the clutches of my better half –  occasionally! There is always the ‘Just Eat’ bike share scheme, which I just signed up for yesterday.  See – I’m doing my level best here! Some more active travel promotion here from your City Champ:  https://www.creativecarbonscotland.com/resource/case-study-creative-engagement-and-active-travel-with-art-walk-projects-footprint/

Tribe Porty built the outside seating and table combo out of pallets, at a community event, together with the The Edinburgh Tool Library, nearly two years ago. Tribe like organising events that include all the community, young and old, neighbours near and far.  Their Street Party is on the 11 May, so bring your friends and family, and enjoy live music, a pop up Makers Market, food and drink, craft activities and more! Saturday 11 May, 1-4pm. If you’d like to get involved, do get in touch! events@tribeporty.org

Update here about Treverlen Park on the site of the old Portobello High and St John’s Primary School: http://www.treverlen.org.uk/2019/04/30/on-the-turn/

Joppa Toilets are up for a lease from the Council, as the sale fell through because of difficulties in sorting out the title deeds.  The expectation is that the toilets will be open to the public.  More here form Portobello Community Council, website: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2019/04/30/to-let-former-public-convenience-at-82-joppa-road/. Closing date is 22 May 2019.

The men’s toilets at Pipe Street remained closed as a repair was required to the roof and it involves dealing with asbestos.  We four Local Councillors pushed Council property officers very hard for this to be done ASAP, but procurement law requires the Council to use one of their framework contractors and that seemed to take forever. The good news is that the repair will be done this afternoon and the toilets useable tomorrow ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.  Phew!

Do not forget to take part in the consultation on the future of Portobello Golf Course and how to improve its use: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/edinburgh-leisure-survey-portobello-golf-course. I’ll remind you that the whole of this Portobello Park area is Common Good land and cannot be used for any other purpose than recreation. This is genuinely a consultation about its recreational use. The Portobello High School land is also still Common Good, but now for the purpose of education.

Porty Wash House is calling for volunteers: enthusiastic, able, ‘can do’ people keen to support your local community. “We need you! The Wash House, (AKA Portobello Community Centre), is seeking volunteers to join the management committee, which meets once a month and plays a vital role in keeping our vibrant and busy centre open for all ages and a huge range of activities. Management and venue skills are an added bonus, but enthusiasm the most important! No one takes on more than they are able, and training and induction on offer. If you think you might be that person, get in touch to find out more. Message us on facebook  (Porty Wash House), and message us, or get in touch through our website.”  Link here: https://thewashhouse.org/

Update here in Treverlen Park on the site of the old Portobello High And St John’s Primary School: http://www.treverlen.org.uk/2019/04/30/on-the-turn/

Portobello Market is on in Brighton Place tomorrow, Saturday, 9.30am to 1.30pm.  See you there?

There is quite a bit of discussion currently about how to make sure citizens and communities have more of a voice in decisions and Community Councils are very much part of that.  Some reflection here: https://www.scdc.org.uk/news/article/2019/4/26/getting-the-balance-right-strengthening-community-councils

Portobello could be the place you learn to sail in May – or just enjoy watching. Castlebrae Community High School youngsters were out there this morning in all that choppy cold water!  More about sailing and such activities here: https://pskc.org.uk/

Have a great weekend!

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