Dear All

On Sunday, under Scotland’s Gardens Scheme, Jim and Sue Hurford are opening their Portobello garden at 14 East Brighton Crescent E15 1LR on Sunday 13 June from 2pm-5pm and raising money for the The Trussell Trust.  I’m sure there will also be copies of Jim’s collection of his excellent locally-themed limericks on sale there too, raising cash for the same very good cause.

I often get complaints and queries about litter and fly-tipping and how to organise clean-ups.  Here is how to deal with it directly: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/litter-flytipping/litter-street-cleaning

This is in Craigentinny/Duddingston Ward but affects us in Portobello/Craigmillar Ward too.  The proposed measures on Seafield Road East, at the junction of Fillyside and Portobello Promenade include a  signalised pedestrian crossing and build-outs to prevent parking on the pavement and path there.  Details here: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2021/06/10/fw-covid-19-emergency-response-measures-proposed-footway-expansion-and-temp-signalised-pedestrian-crossing-fillyside-rd-seafield-rd-east-junction/

We got an update this week from Morrison Construction about their works programme for the new Castlebrae Community Campus.  They are making good progress and on track to hand the building over on 21 December 2021. More about this fab local school here: https://castlebraechs.wordpress.com/castlebrae-2021/

This week the Council agreed a 20 minute neighbourhood strategy.  More here: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/councillors-to-consider-20-minute-neighbourhoods-strategy-for-edinburgh-as-covid-19-pandemic-changes-how-we-live-and-work-3265862?fbclid=IwAR3ikWqpeQ6nS5JyKYf0mRECx54H_urmyuaV3up3hoAuD4AfE1d-9VgiuEk. All highly relevant for how we move forward in Portobello and Craigmillar.

Great news about Portobello Central and their power of work to take on the lease for Portobello Town Hall from the Council: https://www.portobellocentral.org

Craigmillar-based Lyra Theatre’s new online young people’s festival, Bright and Wild, is happening this weekend and next. All screenings are free – check out the programme and book your tickets here: https://www.lyra.co.uk/what-s-on  Over those two weekends, Lyra will present four brand new films created in collaboration with Lyra’s Young Artists. These projects were commissioned by the Young Artists themselves in 2020, and they have been working with their Lead Artists over the past nine months creating and devising together.

The Forever Edinburgh campaign features what we have in offer in Portobello. Find out more here: https://edinburgh.org/neighbourhoods/portobello/

Photographer Louise McLachlan, currently teaching a course at Craigmillar Now, has bid for Creative Scotland funding for a 6-month research project based in Craigmillar. Louise aims to look at representations of disability, starting with the Thistle Foundation archives, then working with disabled people currently living in Craigmillar. Here’s a link to Louise’s website where you can read more about her work: https://www.louisemclachlan.com/

Portobello Open Air Pool opened 85 years ago.  Here is some archive material about it: https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/stories/making-waves-portobello-bathing-pool

The fabulous Bridgend Farm community project won a big, prestigious award this week.  Very well deserved! Details here: https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2021/06/bridgend-farmhouse-wins-queens-award/?mc_cid=ad390c2fb8&mc_eid=a496f37ff6&fbclid=IwAR22CW2ydStLNJPVuw21hUdcufNa-xsAuAs9Tl5Z6pw_rShMx2kyAd0kiiA

I get queries about Covid-19 advice which is not a Council matter, but for Scottish Government to decide on.  Here is how to find out what the current situation is: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/

This is a fantastic photograph of a group of women and children enjoying a day at the seaside at Portobello Beach in 1927 from the Living Memory Association’s picture collection on Edinburgh Collected: https://www.edinburghcollected.org/memories/8541. Do you have any memories of Portobello to share on Edinburgh Collected, their online community archive?

Have a good weekend and do 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