Dear All

Half of you probably did not get last week’s Update (21 February) as I somehow contrived to get myself on the  ‘spammer’ list for the Council server. This was a first for me and it seemed to be a first for the Council’s ICT Helpdesk too. They finally sorted it at 11am on Tuesday morning.  This meant that for nearly four days I was not able reply or send any emails, either internally or externally, although I did receive the usual umpteen emails and read them all. I hope this gets to you safely by email this week. 

One item from last week bears repeating: We four Portobello/Craigmillar Ward Councillors and Portobello Community Council are organising a drop in to talk about all the different transport plans that affect Portobello and the surrounding areas – the City Plan 2030, the City Mobility Strategy, Controlled Parking Zones, City Car Club, Living Streets, Just Eat Bike Hire and more – please do come along. We would like to hear your best ideas for other improvements.  It’s on Tuesday 3 March from 4.30pm to 7.30pm upstairs in Portobello Library.  Come and talk to us and have some fun with coloured dots, maps and post-its.  

Or there is a different drop-in at the same time in Craigmillar Library, Tuesday 3 March, 4pm until 7pm raise awareness of the Council’s intention to erect structures to support Forest Kindergarten at Craigmillar Park. Now that sounds a lot of fun too!

Art Walk Porty this weekend have of good things happening.   Click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/art-walk-porty-26243655589

Got free time sometimes on a Monday morning? Want to meet new people over coffee and jigsaw puzzles? Drop by our Community Café in Mary Magdalene Church, 10.30am until 12 noon.  All are welcome. https://www.facebook.com/events/2479089998996564/

A date to look forward to: Ben Kearsley, classical guitarist, is playing at St Mark’s Church, Portobello on Saturday 28 March at 2pm, playing popular music such as Cavatina, Classical Gas and Yesterday.  A light lunch will be served at 1pm.  Tickets for the lunch and concert are £10. These must be booked in advance as places are limited. Tickets for the concert alone cost £6 and can be bought at St Mark’s Church, or reserved at stmarkstickets@gmail.com

The Edinburgh Festivals really are for everyone.  Aside from being fun and entertaining, the Festivals’ school programmes help pupils with their learning across all the key curriculum themes – literacy, numeracy, science, technology, engineering and maths, employability and wellbeing, as well as opportunities for inter-disciplinary learning. Since 2018, festivals have engaged with over 90% of the city’s schools – and that includes ALL our wonderful schools in Portobello/Craigmillar Ward with 4700 pupil engagements involved in that time. More here: https://www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/about/documents/156-research-reports

Portobello Market is back a week on Saturday 7 March in Brighton Park from 9.30am to 1pm.  Details here: https://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobello-market/

The outcome of the statutory consultation for a new primary school in the New Brunstane development – to replace the current Newcraighall Primary School with a bigger school building to make room for double the local population of children – is now on line and will be reported to the 12 March 2020 Council Meeting. Access to all the detail is here: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/cf/newcraighallschool/

Repairs to our sea defences are underway, tides and weather permitting. At Seafield they are repairing the sloping revetment, north-east of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. The esplanade will remain open throughout, although obviously narrowed for the works plant and compound. They will also repair the surface of the beach access ramp which slopes to the beach from the end of Pipe Lane. The Promenade will remain open throughout and there are other ramps nearby.

P/C Ward Councillors have signed up for the Kiltwalk in September 2020 to raise funds for the Thistle Foundation.  You can see why I am doing it and sponsor me here: https://edinburghkiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/maureen-3

The Edinburgh Big Beach Busk has teamed up with the Aviation Preservation Society Scotland for a Spring BBQ and Vintage Ball on Saturday 7 March at Bellfield. A two-part celebration raising funds to help keep their dreams of restoring an old wartime aeroplane alive – full details in the ticket link. Porty social enterprise Oi Musica is programming the music – a mix of brassy+upbeat, sultry post war swing and hot New Orleans trad jazz. 

• 2-5pm Family Friendly Spring BBQ – live music from the Phoenix Choir, Shunpike Social Club and Brass Blast. £10 / £6
• 7-10pm Vintage Ball – live music form The Loveboat Three with Heather MacLeod  and the Auld Reekie Stompers with Ali Affleck. £15 / £8

Tickets + details here (each event ticketed separately) https://bigbeachbusk.brownpapertickets.com/?fbclid=IwAR22M9gB9XlBfyc2TacZVpDBvJPa_lAaaZhyhY9NehSKGe_oTuqs7hEBFY0

Do let me know if you want ‘updated’ on anything else or have further questions or comments.  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