• Portobello Community Council
  • c/o 14 Rosefield Avenue
  • Portobello
  • EH15 1AU
 

Maureen Child Update 25 October 2019

Posted on: October 25th, 2019

Dear All

 

Tomorrow – Saturday 26 October – is a very special 10th Birthday Apple Day at the community orchard Brunstane Road South from 2pm to 4.30 pm. There will be pressing and tasting of juice fresh from the press, a bonfire, kids’ games, tea, coffee and home baking and an array of local jams, chutneys and juice for sale.  We will also be picking some crab apples, the last fruit remaining on the tree. George Anderson of the Beechgrove Garden will bring a display about apples. Have you inherited an apple tree, but unsure what variety it is?  George can help identify your mystery apples, so please do bring them along. The Guerrilla Ladies Quartet will be providing musical entertainment from 3.15 pm. Looking forward to seeing you there for a great afternoon and celebration of the joys of Autumn.  

 

Work will start to build our new Castlebrae Community High School this coming Monday, 28 October. So very, very exciting!

 

The Portobello and Craigmillar Neighbourhood Network is inviting applications from community and third sector groups. This Community Grants funding opportunity is for local groups to use in a variety of ways, like:  a start-up grant for new groups or community projects; buying a new piece of equipment for your group; improving or developing your community groups activities; raising awareness of your groups activities; finding out about the needs in your community; small scale projects that enhance quality of life and complement other improvements in that area. The Portobello and Craigmillar Neighbourhood Network Community Grant fund offers two levels of grants to constituted voluntary and community groups: Level 1 is a larger grant from £501-£2,500; Level 2 is a smaller grant up to £500. The application process opened this week and closes on 22 November 2019 at 4pm.  I can send you forms if you need them or know someone else who might.

 

We lost the Just Eat cycles from Portobello, because of a spate of severe vandalism, but I am pleased to report they are back – at the foot of Kings Road this time. They were sorely missed.  I got an email on Thursday from one of our constituents who used them a lot.  We Councillors were sitting in a Full Council Meeting at the time, but multi-tasking as usual.  I emailed Cllr Lesley McInnes from across the Chamber and she made enquiries Transport for Edinburgh (TfE) who run the scheme.  Less than an hour later, we were told the stance was being installed that very day and a full TfE emailed a response direct to the constituent.  I wish every Good Thing happened that fast in local government! 

 

I also picked up an email from Police Scotland about how they are prepared to keep us safe in the run up to bonfire night.  I can send full details if you want, but this was also covered well in the Edinburgh Evening News:  https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/edinburgh-bonfire-night-maps-show-seven-police-dispersal-zones-created-combat-bonfire-period-mayhem-819542 

 

This is another piece in the Edinburgh Evening News about Portobello’s seaside history: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/lifestyle/21-scenes-show-portobello-its-heyday-seaside-resort-819295

 

It’s fantastic and inspiring to see two sector-leading local community projects talked about in this piece about the Community Land Fund – Will Golding on Bridgend Farmhouse and Jennifer Elliot on Bellfield.  Click and watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvfjNnVpWYU We are truly leading the way in Scotland’s urban communities.

 

Some background on the new cameras in the bus lanes in Milton Road.  I hope nobody here has been caught by them!  http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2744/new_bus_lane_cameras_go_live_in_edinburgh

 

I spoke to the project manager on Brighton Place earlier today.  They are still on track to finish by the end of November.  Phases 1 and 2 are complete.  Phases 3 and 4 are proceeding apace.  The project has now been extended to include the area for the Stanley Street junction to Baileyfield to take care of whatever lurks beneath that metal plate. Then the road will one again for good.

 

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) is a co-operative with over 540 members which generates electricity from solar power at 24 host buildings across Edinburgh, including Tumbles in Portobello.  The aim is to grow the number of sites and the generation of green power across the city which will reduce climate change, alleviate fuel poverty, improve energy security and help foster sustainable development in and around Edinburgh. Income from the solar panels generate dividends to community shareholders and surplus for small grants programmes. They want to get more people involved, particularly in Craigmillar.  Please do complete Community Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Solar_Community_Survey  More here: Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative 

 

That’s all for now.  More emails to catch up on after a ten day break! Do let me know if you want ‘updated’ on anything else. 

 

Best wishes for a good 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