Dear All

I picked this up last week and went a bit down Memory Lane: https://porty.org.uk/news/the-portobello-reporter/

I also went down quite a few actual local lanes, streets and paths in my Virtual Kiltwalk 2020 personal challenge in aid of the fabulous Thistle Foundation.  And I had good company again. Thanks to Frank for the walk about Portobello Golf Course and the Christians area green spaces and thanks to Adrian to introducing me to the far end of the Brunstane Burn. My walking challenge is coming to a peak this weekend when I walk right round the perimeter of Portobello/Craigmillar Ward in one go. Got the Thistle T-shirt, got the walking shoes, will travel.  Do sponsor me if you possibly can: https://edinburghkiltwalk2020.everydayhero.com/uk/maureen-3. All contributions most welcome, however small.

In all our heated discussions about wresting space back to people from motorised vehicles, I often get asked ‘But where would all the traffic go?!’ Find out here: https://www.rapidtransition.org/stories/reducing-roads-can-cause-traffic-to-evaporate/

One of the ways we can – and must – cut down on car use and ownership is to reduce the need to run a vehicle especially for short journeys.  Secure storage for bikes for people who live in tenements have been appearing in various places in Portobello in response to demand for it.  Find out more here:  https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/cycling-walking/bicycle-security-storage/1

On Thursday, I recorded part of a Porty Podcast with David Calder, for broadcast this weekend, about my Kiltwalk 2020 training and challenge.  Last week it was Portobello’s marvellous ArtWalk.  David tells me it’s been downloaded across the world in several countries, but not so much in Porty itself yet.  How about you all listen and share too?  https://www.buzzsprout.com/71622/5298907. More on ArtWalk here: https://www.artwalkporty.co.uk/

On one of my training walks, it was good to come across the parks manager for our NE Locality, Scott Thomson, and catch up informally about the various things happening.  There is good progress on the pump track at Hunters Hall Park and slow but sure progress on the paths and new improved play park which would have been open by now had it not been for the Covid-19 lock-down.  We also discussed how the Bingham Park will be restored and improved after the housing is built. We also discussed Friends of Parks, community action and possible ways of dealing with ‘weeds’.  And he thought he was just out taking a break, walking his dogs!

Police Scotland are consulting on your priorities and it would be good if you could feed back to them here: https://consult.scotland.police.uk/surveys/your-police-2020-2021/.

The Council’s website has a ‘Click to Report’ function which makes it easier to report things like missed bins or blocked drains.  I have used it this week and recommend it: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/

The Great British Beach Clean is next weekend and details of how to get involved are here:  https://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean

Have a great weekend!

Maureen