Dear All

From 14 June, the next phase of Brighton Place reconstruction is due to start. MacKenzies will close off the Southfield access at East Brighton Crescent and there will only be one access for residents from the Portobello High Street end.  It is weather dependent as the grouting between the setts needs to solidify first.

The Portobello Golf Course survey is published and can be accessed through Portobello Community Council’s excellent website:  http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/. 

If you have an old bike cluttering up the place unused, here would be a good place to give it to:  http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20087/cycling_and_walking/1879/brake_the_cycle

Porty Spokes cycle camping are asking us to hold the date –  Wednesday 26 June, 7pm at Bellfield for some good conversations about transformation, place making, active travel and successful campaigning. Details later.

Last week, the Thistle Foundation welcomed pharmacists Jamie Stewart and Maxine Galt into the centre for their first pop up information station.  They will be back on Wednesday 19 June for a chat and find out what your local pharmacist can do to support you.  The Thistle Foundation celebrate their 75th Anniversary TODAY with a summer fete for 2pm-5pm, with all welcome. We’ve got the weather for it!

More news from the emerging Treverlen Park: http://www.treverlen.org.uk/2019/05/31/crumbs/  However, when I passed today it looks like the work is stalled a bit, maybe something to do with the drainage.  I am checking up.

The joint parishes of St John’s and St Mary Magdalene’s are fundraising for STEKA  children’s charity in Malawi with a 10k sponsored walk around Arthur Seat on Sunday 23 June at 3pm followed by a small celebration in St John’s Hall after the walk. An event for the whole family! Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/eddie-white-1?utm_term=MXAMvGWPz.  If you want to join the walk, please register with Catherine McAnenny 07968 970 159.

I now have had about forty emails from nearby residents about two planning applications in the Green Belt, part of Little France Park.  A lot of work has already taken place to create this new country park, not least by Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust and their volunteers.  More here about the park:  http://www.elgt.org.uk/projects/greenspace-improvement/little-france-park. The applications have been lodged by Springfield (Ref: 19/01032/FUL and 19/01481/FUL) and will be assessed against current Local Development Plan policies.

ArtWalk Porty running an Art Hunt in Rosefield Park on Saturday 15 June, 2-4pm. Come along and find the stories hidden in the park about Porty’s old shops to win some prizes. Polaroid-style selfies, goodie bags, badges and more. A fun child-friendly day out!

A free confidential advice service from Citizens Advice Bureau is operating from The Neighbourhood Alliance in the White House on Mondays.  Phone 0131 652 6320 for an appointment if you have worries about money, benefits, housing, employment or other issues.

TalesOfOneCity: Come along to Portobello Library on Tues 18 June 2pm or Thursday 20 June at 10.30am to step inside the Tardis in a new Doctor Who virtual reality experience created by BBC. Contact Portobello Library to book your place.

This week has been a celebration of volunteers and volunteering.  Here are some quite inspiring stories how lives are changed for both volunteers and those causes which benefit from their voluntary efforts.  Click here to get involved: https://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/how-to-volunteer/

Make sure you get properly engaged with the City Plan 2030.  Click here to find out more: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20069/local_development_plan_and_guidance/1821/city_plan_2030

Joanne Baird’s Porty Book Blog is David Calder’s latest subject for Porty Podcast. Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/71622/1213823

Portobello Swim Centre is a much loved A listed building and is in for an upgrade so it continues to serve the community for another generation.  Click here: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/things-to-do/2-5-million-refurb-for-portobello-pool-which-has-last-of-edinburgh-s-victorian-built-turkish-baths-1-4940056

Would you like to learn how to use your camera to its full potential ? The next ‘Take Great Photographs of Your Kids’ workshop is coming up on June 22 at Tribe Porty, with a couple of places left. Rachel Hein Photography and Anna Moffat will demystify those camera settings and teach you everything you need to know to get off the auto setting and start using your camera to its full potential. The one day course is fun and relaxed, with just the right balance between theory and practice, and includes a delicious lunch. If you would can’t make this date, the next course will run on November 30. You can book your place here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4077881

The ‘food and blether’ group at Sandy’s Community Centre starting up again on Tuesday 11 June 12.30-2.3pm.  Bring a dish and share and get to know your community.

I came home from a meeting of a fab new residents group in Newcraighall to sit down and enjoy Springwatch on BBC2 and what did we see 10 minutes in?  The Figgate Park otters!  What stars! Enjoy here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0005psv/springwatch-2019-episode-7

A fantastic Portobello people story here.  Who knew?  https://www.scotsman.com/regions/edinburgh-fife-lothians/on-show-at-last-the-edinburgh-artist-who-fought-for-entry-to-a-man-s-world-1-4939392

Have a great weekend!

Maureen