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

Maureen Child Update 14 May 2021

Posted on: May 14th, 2021


Dear All

 

Another week goes by and places to meet are beginning to open up, like the new coffee shop Tanifiki next to the fabulous Portobello Bookshop on Porty’s High Street.  I’m always happy to meet up for a stroll, a chat about local issues – and maybe a fabulous coffee. 

 

Portobello Library is not yet open, but Craigmillar Library opened again this week.  More here: https://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/web/arena/library-reopening

 

I’m aiming to work fewer hours as I head towards retirement in May next year and – after much thought – I resigned from the Castle Community (CCB) Bank Board this week.  Our CCB is a financial cooperative that grew out of North Edinburgh and Craigmillar Credit Unions and a Water of Leith Study Group.  It’s developing very fast as an on-line financial service, providing affordable loans and the facility for members to save while borrowing. More here: https://castlecommunitybank.co.uk/.  I continue to be a saver, borrower and a member of our locally rooted (Craigmillar) Castle Community Bank and happy to advise occasionally on how best to fulfil our social purpose in future.

 

I’m still a Board Member of Craigmillar Now, and we are headed for our first AGM in June. There’s a bit more here: https://craigmillarnow.com/ and on our Facebook page.  Lots going on, so do sign up through the website for regular email updates. For example, Scope Photography will be at Craigmillar Now in June for a four week photography course teaching the power in perspective for those facing health related barriers.  The weekly sessions will be run by Louise Mclachlan, an Edinburgh based artist working predominantly with digital photography whilst having the lived experience of disability.  https://www.louisemclachlan.com/scope-photograph

 

There are quite a few clean ups happening this week and next.  Surfers Against Sewage are organising a litter pick at tomorrow Saturday 15 May 10am – 12 noon at the foot of Kings Road cleaning the section to the west form there towards Seafield.  See their website:  https://www.sas.org.uk/.  On Sunday 16 May the Friends of Figgate Park are litter-picking from 10.30am.  Then on Saturday 22 May the Niddrie Litter Busters are tackling Hunters Hall Par meeting at the Jack Kane Sports Centre form 10am to 1pm.  The there are the fantastic volunteers for Keep Porty Tidy, subject of last week’s Porty Podcast: https://player.fm/series/porty-podcast-2289726/ep-207-keep-porty-tidy

People often ask me about issues that are really are matters for Police Scotland.  They can be contacted directly and are always willing to direct the resources they have to issues you regard as important, like noise disturbances, speeding traffic and other forms of antisocial behaviour. Click here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/your-community/edinburgh/

 

Artwalk Porty’s ‘Neighbouring Orchard’ with artist Annie Lord is part of this year’s Urban Tree Festival. Join online to hear more about how the project began, the network of apple trees, and from some of the first growers. Sunday 23 May, 3-4pm. Book here: https://www.artwalkporty.co.uk/neighbouring-orchard.html

 

The Scottish Government Town Centre Grant fund enables local authorities to stimulate and support place-based economic investments which encourage town centres to diversify and flourish, creating footfall through local improvements and partnerships. More here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/regeneration/town-centre-fund/ In the first tranche of the fund for Edinburgh of £3.567 Million,  £170,000 was set aside for a Craigmillar project on an unused gap site to the east of Lidl. It’s called ‘Walk-Up Avenue’ and it will be a multi-use, community-based, temporary public space. More here http://www.walkupavenue.scot/

 

Next week, I should have good news around Portobello Town Hall, but for now that is all.  Have a great 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