Dear All

Coffee Morning at St Mark’s Portobello tomorrow, Saturday 23 November, 10am-noon. Bacon rolls, tea, coffee, cake stall, Tombola, book stall and a Christmas hamper raffle. All are very welcome! 

Oi Musica youth music group based at Brunstane Primary is called ‘Brass Blast’ and I have their permission to share this five minute film. Just have a box of tissues at hand when you watch! It is heartwarming!  http://oimusica.co.uk/?page_id=2317 

The re-opening to road traffic through Brighton Place and Brunstane Road is delayed a few days. The major work on reconstruction of Brighton Place is very nearly complete. The works were extended to include resurfacing of Southfield Place from Park Avenue to the junction with Baileyfield Road/Duddingston Park South, which was not in the original contract but needed done. There is another day’s work in sorting the ponding at the traffic lights on Portobello High Street. Lothian Buses have been told they can revert to serving Brighton Place again on Monday 9 December. So no more scenic diversions for the No 21.

Consult the Council website and get regular updates, particularly as the temperature drops outside.  Road works here: http://edinburgh.cdmf.info/public/disruptions/list.htm; how you can help with preparing for winter here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2792/working_together_for_a_safer_winter; where the grit bins are, how you can get 

a new one or a refill here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20227/gritting_and_grit_bins/506/gritting_routes_and_grit_bin_locations

David Calder’s latest Porty Podcasts are as engaging and interesting as ever. One on the Portobello-Pentlands walking and cycling route (No.144) picked up from one of my Updates. Listen here and access some of his fabulous back numbers form there: https://www.buzzsprout.com/71622/2022180.  Anticipating another this weekend!

A consultation on action to combat climate change is here: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2795/taking_the_temperature_of_edinburgh_residents_climate_change_views

On Portobello Town Hall, our Team Portobello/Craigmillar Councillor colleague Mary Campbell has arranged a meeting for us and representatives of Portobello Community Council, Portobello Amenity Society, Action Porty with Peter Watton, the Council’s head of corporate property next week. We will discuss the best way for the community to be involved in ensuring the building has a sustainable future.

This week, we heard the glad tidings that our new charity, Craigmillar Now, have agreement in principle from the Scottish Episcopal Church to lease their property at 58 Newcraighall Road and to reopen the space as a home for the growing Craigmillar archives and other community and arts-based uses. We still have a lot of work to do, not least to agree the lease and to raise funds, but Craigmillar Now and the Church have taken a huge step forward together in partnership.  We are hugely grateful for the fantastic support and wise counsel of Sophia Marriage, Rector of St Mark’s Portobello, in putting our proposal forward.

There is a charity sale of bric-a-brac at Portobello Citizens Advice, 12noon-3pm, a week on Saturday 30 November. Pop in and find a bargain and help Citizens Advice raise funds. Also, if you are interested in volunteering with Citizens Advice, there will be advisors available to chat.

A planning application has been registered on 14 November for the erection of 29 residential dwellings including all roads drainage and infrastructure works. at Land 263 Metres South Of 104 Newcraighall Road Edinburgh 19/04910/FUL by Avant Homes Scotland. Comments by 4 December.  View here: https://citydev-portal.edinburgh.gov.uk/idoxpa-web/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage.  You can view other applications on the same website and get information on those which interest you most.

Magdalene Glen is looking great after another Portobello Timebank clean up last Saturday. Members and friends put in a fantastic effort with both sets of waders in use, wheelbarrows going to and fro, litter pickers picking, and a real sense of determination by all. One of the Council’s big white cages was filled close to the brim, but with most of the Glen swept clean the core team of Timebankers definitely think their effort over the years has paid off with lower overall levels of litter. It was lovely chat with the guys looking after the pigeons- the kids loved it! The next litter picking event will likely be January and all are very welcome, Timebankers or not. I can testify that a hot drink and delicious cake are always provided at the end!  More about Portobello Timebank here: https://www.portobellotimebank.co.uk/

A few festive workshops for you to share far and wide! Bulb planting for Christmas, gift making workshop at the library on the 6 December 12.30pm-2.30pm drop in. Christmas decorations for the tree using clay and natural materials at the Thistle Christmas event 2pm-4pm 12 December drop-in. Wreath-Making Workshop at the library on the 17 December But you need to book a place. 3pm-5pm. Christmas Lunch for over 65’s at Sandy’s 18 December 12noon-3pm but you need to book a place. Tickets at Sandy’s Community Centre, 76 Craigmillar Castle Avenue (0131 661 4064). For more information contact Karin Chipulina, Craigmillar Community Grows;Community Development Worker C/O The Thistle Foundation,13 Queens Walk, EH16 4EA Tel: 07824 838 364.

Portobello & Joppa Parish Church, Abercorn Terrace EH15 2DH are opening their doors this December.  If you’re looking  for a quiet place in which to have a break from the noise of Christmas, or take some time from the stresses of daily life, then come in. Just a candle-lit space with silence or quiet music.  December 1,3,10,22, all 5pm-7pm, and Christmas Eve 7.30pm-8.30pm. 

Do tell Police Scotland what’s important in your local area. Their new survey is open until 31 December 2019. Click here: https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police/

An answer to a Council Question this week revealed that up until 30 October 2019, charge notices fines for the misuse of bus lanes by unauthorised vehicles in the 13 camera-covered bus lanes.  There are 3 cameras in Portobello/Craigmillar Ward. The local numbers are: The Jewel 1916; Little France Drive 6987; and for Milton Road which has only been operational for a month, the number is 544. 16,322 of the total 35,250 across all 13 cameras were repeat offenders; so 46% have attracted two or more fines in that time. Oh dear me!

Portobello is one of three finalists in the Great Neighbourhood  category of the Academy of Urbanism next week. Portobello is nominated alongside South Bank (Leeds) and Levenshulme (Manchester).  It’s an amazing honour for Portobello just to be nominated! I’m off to London on Wednesday to learn from others about their cities, communities and neighbourhoods.  More here: https://www.academyofurbanism.org.uk/get-to-know-our-finalists-the-great-neighbourhood-award-2020/

That’s all for now.  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

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