Dear All
I’ve just been advised that Portobello Library will re-open on 17 June. The Council press release will be out later today. Book life begins again!
Portobello Community Council’s 39th AGM and 383rd Meeting is on Monday evening, still in the virtual Teams world. PCC are looking for comments on a new planning application for the Pipe Street gap site. Details of how to take part in the consultation and the meeting – and what else is on PCC’s agenda here: http://www.portobellocc.org/
The Community Council have put back their start time to 8pm to allow people to attend the AGM of Action Porty, on the same night, starting at 7pm. Click here: https://www.bellfield.scot/
More arty fun this weekend and other lovely events and activities to come. Click here for Art Walk Porty https://www.artwalkporty.co.uk/
The Friends of Porty Prom AGM has been arranged for Thursday 10 June at 7:30pm. With the continued pandemic restrictions, it’s an online Zoom meeting. Contact them for details of how to join and updates on their work: friendsofportyprom@gmail.com
More coverage of last week’s great news about Portobello Town Hall: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/edinburghs-portobello-town-hall-to-be-made-beating-heart-of-community-after-local-takeover-3246433
The monthly Portobello Market in Brighton Park is back again next Saturday (5 June) from 9.30am to 1.30pm. Full details here: https://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobello-market/stallholders-for-portobello-market-saturday-5th-june/
Newhailes House and Gardens is starting a Farmer’s Market too, but on a different Saturday in the month, so no competition. The first one is on Saturday 19 June and it will run every third Saturday of the month thereafter from 9am to 3pm.
I had a bit of a social media melt down this last week as I irretrievably lost my Twitter account. I know, not fatal! But it’s a way I get to know what’s happening out there. And I glean some of the stuff I then share with you here. I had to set up a new account. It’s @MaureenMChild1 now, if you’re at all interested.
In other news, I have been on the Pensions Committee of the Council since about 1997 and keep getting asked to get Lothian Pension Fund to ‘divest’ from this or that ‘bad’ thing and signal our virtue on, for example, fossil fuels. This week, I think we just helped demonstrate the power to make a difference really lies with responsible ownership and engagement. Lothian had a significant part to play in the AGM of Exxon the US based oil company. Covered in the Guardian here: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/26/exxonmobil-and-chevron-braced-for-showdown-over-climate. Lothian Pension Fund voted our shares early and helped persuade others to come with us. Shareholders’ votes count.
Here are some reflections by an anonymous Portobello resident about what it’s like for them to live in this part of Edinburgh. Written for the Cockburn Association blog: https://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/news/letter-from-portobello/
I hope you all have a lovely 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: @MaureenMChild1