Dear All

The ‘Changing Craigmillar’ survey response has been superb so far with around 1500 people giving their view on what’s good about the regeneration and what could be improved. It’s a great opportunity for those who live locally to have their say – follow this link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ChangingCraigmillar

The Great Tapestry of Scotland artist – Craigmillar born Andrew Crummy – attributes his lifelong passion for art to his culturally rich childhood, led by his mother Helen Crummy. Read all about it here: https://jamesloganhart.wixsite.com/artlo/post/andrew-crummy

David Calder was speaking on ‘You and Yours’ on Radio 4 this week in a phone-in about living in a Seaside town – in his case Portobello – and Bellfield and The Porty Reporter got a mention. You can hear the commentary at 20 mins in https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0004sgf. David interviewed me this week about my Active Travel Champion role for his Porty Podcast.  Eek!

In Bellfield on Saturday 18 May 9.30am to 1pm there is an event called ‘Play Justice and Urban Design’ – perspectives form India and Scotland, organised by the International Play Association.  For further details of the programme and to buy tickets, email ipascotland.training@gmail.com.

You’ve got until close of play today to respond to the online Portobello Golf Course consultation:  https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/edinburgh-leisure-survey-portobello-golf-course. Paper copies accepted up until 17 May 2019.

And here’s another consultation to take part in and learn more about the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership:  https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/hsc/draft-strategic-plan-2019-2022/

Portobello Rugby Football Club launch their Tartan Touch sessions at Cavalry Park this month. TT is a fun, simple and social version of non-contact rugby. With only eight easy rules, it’s a great game for all abilities and all ages.  Sessions kick off on May 16.  More here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tartan-touch-summer-pass-portobello-rfc-registration-60074395133

Great to see the library at Towerbank Primary School opening and some great coverage in the Edinburgh Evening News.   https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/education/new-library-opens-at-portobello-primary-school-after-two-year-collective-effort-1-4916156

Regius School based in Newcraighall are preforming the musical ‘Sister Act’ next week. Their performances are always to the highest standard and well worth seeing. Tuesday 14 May – Matinee 12.45pm; evening show 7pm Wednesday 15 May 7pm Thursday 16 May at 7pm Tickets available from the school: contact by email regiusschool@gmail.com or phone  0131 669 2913

The Health Opportunities Team [HOT) is a Craigmillar-based charity that helps young people aged 12-25 with their emotional, mental and sexual health. HOT offers therapeutic  support programmes for young people, including 1:1 and group work. HOT’s free and confidential drop-in service offers young people advice, support and information on all health services. Local Drop in times are: Craigmillar: 1a Queens Walk, Thursdays 3:45pm-6pm and Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, Wednesday 4pm-7pm. HOT also run a Feel Good Project – a free group focusing on physical and mental health. Every week, young people do a physical activity, address a health topic and get a free snack. Young women’s sessions are on Mondays (3.30pm-6pm) and the young men meet on Fridays (1.30pm-4pm). For more information, contact HOT : Telephone: 0131 468 4600 or Email info@health-opportunities.org.uk 

There’s a new group in town: ‘Joppa Shoreline’. Do you Llive locally and want to help make your green spaces even better? Then join in their first meeting on Saturday18 May, 10am at the Rockville Hotel. 

If you’ve noticed fences going up this week and work going in Hunters Hall Park and wondered what’s up; it’s to build a bridge across the Niddrie Burn and improve the paths.

Cycle campaign, Spokes Porty have noticed from the map of cycle hire, that there is an under-supply in our neck of the woods, so let’s rectify that.  The form is here to make a request for a rank of cycle hire Just Eat bikes. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSft70Zbl-4Z5-gszn9BReuPcxxTl2NQCDkoNU5UjvCxRzupaA/viewform?c=0&w=1

And while we’re on about cycling, don’t pass us too close, drivers! Or else: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-48181424

I do try not to put bad news in this update without at least something good to balance it out or action you could take.  This is the worst: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/07/humanity-must-save-insects-to-save-ourselves-scientist-warns 

Some good news is that the Council agreed unanimously with my Motion in making the Northern Brown Argus butterfly the city’s emblematic insect species, highlighting Edinburgh’s Biodiversity Action Plan and the excellent partnership work behind it.  This butterfly species was first identified in Holyrood Park in 1793 , hunted to extinction by 1869 by Victorian collectors, then rediscovered in 2005. Through good local habitat conservation, the Northern Brown Argus has substantially increased in numbers.  I am determined to spot it this year.  More about the fabulous Edinburgh Living Landscapes project work in this article published in December 2016: https://www.scotsmagazine.com/articles/helping-northern-brown-argus-thrive/ 

And here’s something for you to get involved in locally: https://butterfly-conservation.org/events/urban-butterfly-identification-workshop-little-france-edinburgh

I’m now off on Sunday for 10 days, so no Update from me next week.  Enjoy your break! 

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