Dear All

Thank you for the many kind messages I got back from last week’s Update.  You really cheered me up!  One more year, then someone else can do this job.  Just few things this week as I have a flood of mails to catch up on a huge range of issues…. 

Bridgend Farmhouse are shortlisted in the Cooperatives UK Co-op of the Year Awards 2021and would appreciate your vote to help them come out top! We’re in the category “Small Community Co-op of the Year’, alongside four other UK organisations. Vote now, and wish them luck!  https://www.uk.coop/vote

Maye you can join Artwalk Porty tomorrow, Saturday 1 May for the 5th Line Walk Mindful Drawing event. This month they can welcome 15 socially distanced walkers. Basic script: meet just before 10am at Thistle Centre of Wellbeing. Leave promptly at 10am to walk through Little France Park – mostly in friendly, mindful silence. Occasionally stop to make a ‘drawing’ – this may include taking a photo, jotting down a thought or poem, or just drawing breath and enjoying the moment. The walk is two hours – with a rest halfway – returning to Thistle Centre of Wellbeing by 12noon. More here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/art-walk-porty-26243655589

This week, Councillors have agreed to £450,000 funding for temporary public toilets in ‘hotspot’ areas in Edinburgh, including Portobello. Report here – bit.ly/3t3a0Ku

The Council is working to fully open libraries again – safely – and some can open sooner than others.  Craigmillar Library will open on 10 May.  Portobello is in a later phase.

Craigmillar Library is being used as a drop-in centre for COVID- 19 testing centre right now for people who are not showing any symptoms in Craigmillar and Niddrie and surrounding EH16 postcodes. For outside those hotspot areas, free lateral flow tests can be ordered and the full information is here:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested/pages/no-covid-symptoms/

Last week’s Porty Podcast (No. 205) was with Portobello Sailing, Kayacking and Rowing Club: Click here to listen to this and access David Calder’s back catalogue of interviews: https://www.buzzsprout.com/71622/8391407?fbclid=IwAR0BFrSZDpkf_Gdzra79s821_l8rG2LqynUbDfqFYdUPG2O5iDTtTkzbVuI

Local Councillors met virtually on Teams this morning with NE Commander Murray Tait about the spate of antisocial behaviour that has been concerning residents locally.  Police are devoting resources to tackle criminality, which applies to a very tiny minority of those crowds of people attracted to Portobello from all parts of the city and East Lothian. Police will be working with partners in Council, Lothian Buses and voluntary sector youth workers to pre-empt problems and help keep everyone safe. It’s not just a job for the police.  We all have a role to play. More information on how to contact the police here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/edinburgh/.  This website includes information on the Herbert Protocol which is a system providing police with information to help search for a  person living with the dementia.

One of the things that most impacts on us locals is the mess some people leave.  We also have quite a host of responsible citizens people prepared to help tackle it.  Click here: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/portobello-beach-it-was-only-right-that-i-did-my-part-in-helping-to-clear-it-up-local-cleans-up-damage-and-vandalism-on-edinburgh-beach-3215129

Portobello Market is this Saturday 1 May in Brighton Park, from 9:30am to 1:30pm. The craft traders are back this month and it promises to be one of the largest and most diverse Portobello Markets in years. A full list of the stallholders here: https://bit.ly/2P9qvH1

I hope you have a good weekend – and stay safe and well!

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