Dear All,
The absolute highlight for me this week was being part of the crowd of fabulous school partners at the launch of the beautiful skiff which Castlebrae pupils have built together over the last six years. Everyone who visited our brilliant Craigmillar school in that time had to see the skiff, hear about the partnership with Portobello Sailing, Kayaking and Rowing Club and do a bit of planing or sanding. This is such a great partnership between the strong communities Portobello and Craigmillar, working together, learning from each other. The Edinburgh Reporter covered it and so did STV. Link to Edinburgh Reporter film here: pic.twitter.com/xPL7qfpv7e , a little bit from me included!
The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) for Brunstane Road and the Coillesdenes is to be implemented from next Tuesday, 15 February. The month of delay was due to the lack of availability of the planters. More here and thanks to Portobello Community Council for posting: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2022/02/09/fw-brunstane-road-and-coillesdene-area-experimental-traffic-regulation-order-etro/
How many of us remember this building? https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/giant-lost-edinburgh-power-station-23024851
I nominated the fab Tanifiki coffee shop for the FSB Awards in last week’s Update. I hope the owners had time to fill in the details for the judges. Best of luck to them and any other local businesses you nominated! Here’s a bit about when Tanifiki first opened:
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/best-in-edinburgh/edinburgh-artisan-coffee-shop-open-20417451.amp
This is a great piece in the Evening News about Cal Macaninch’s part as one of a local Portobello team of intrepid people who are planning to row the Atlantic to raise cash for a mental health charity: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people/edinburgh-trigger-point-star-cal-macaninch-set-to-take-on-biggest-physical-challenge-of-his-life-3560017?fbclid=IwAR1PdBWI9_5cd9Z0sM9RWZQKKuK6O18jnQZW1NzyqRRlaSXk_jp4P8S5aQI
Thanks to the amazing Keep Porty Tidy group for advertising this more widely: “Everyone can do their part to keep the pavements of Portobello ice-free this winter. Help us to help you. Check your nearest grit bin. Does it need to be re-filled? Has it been damaged? Does it need to be re-positioned, removed or replaced? For any of the above, call Clarence on 0800 23 23 23 or email clarence@edinburgh.gov.uk, quoting the reference number of the grit bin in question.”
You can find a list of all grit bin locations here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory/10230/a-to-z/A. I’ve asked the parks manager if they can get roads to provide one near the Treverlen Park/Hamiliton Drive entrance. That particular path to school can be extra-slippy in the frost, one parent told me this week.
Craigmillar and Niddrie Litter Busters are meeting on the pavement outside the entrance gates to Castlebrae Community High School on Saturday the 12 February at 10.30am to do a community litter pick, and inviting people to join in whenever suits. Great to have the support of Keep Porty Tidy in their efforts!
Jack Kane Community Centre’s youth work is always good to hear about at management committee meetings. This is what they’ve been up to lately: https://sway.office.com/QcMOQoDQVfhu7l4K
Share your stories and get involved in the Craigmillar and Niddrie Community Festival 2022! There will be an Open Community Meeting this Sunday, 13 February 2-4pm at The White House Kitchen. Sign up to get involved: https://forms.gle/vaMt5pkmUWzKucgn9
Turn2us Edinburgh Trust provides grants to people struggling financially living in the City of Edinburgh. Their grant funds are dedicated entirely to helping local people on low incomes.
Find out more about the Turn2us Edinburgh Trust: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/Turn2us-Funds/Edinburgh-Trust
Craigmillar and Niddrie have some fantastic buildings old and new. They all tell a story. Craigmillar Art group along with artist Peter Jones hope to create a book of paintings of Craigmillar and Niddrie – to celebrate a much loved place. Please nominate one building which you would like to see featured. If you leave your name and contact details you will be invited to the book launch next year! Either pop in to Bridgend Farmhouse or Thistle for a nomination form or email zoe.murdoch@bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk
and Zoe will enter your nomination for you.
Spokes Porty have been urging us all to respond to the Scottish Government consultation on pavement parking. Click here: https://spokesporty.org/blog/2022/02/our-views-on-the-pavement-parking-consultation/?fbclid=IwAR0FhG63KQp16T3t-NEM9YkBHPQcxWoubcsXZFJBUGhdnUvZf4LxS3QA1KQ
A new planning application has been lodged for the Boathouse. Comments are open and: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2022/02/01/boathouse-3-kings-place/ The current extension has been refused by Committee and no enforcement action can happen until this new application is decided upon. Each application is assessed against planning policy on its own individual merits. Land ownership and licensing are important but separate matters.
There are Scottish Government grants to improve the insulation of our homes. Ever more important as energy costs rise! Click here: https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/?fbclid=IwAR3pyfB8DAzdVXJOV5n3fWjXCG0OQ9hUICbti59SY5ND7OMMK72gZH7flZg
It was brilliant to visit the Thistle and fun to try out some adapted bikes this week with Gail Begg and team. I took lots of photos and we had good chat about healthy living too! The Thistle is looking at what they need to do to be able to welcome more people back to the Centre of Wellbeing as the pandemic public health measures ease up a little. You can find all the information on Thistle’s website – https://www.thistle.org.uk/blog-articles/moving-well-in-2022.
Have a good weekend, hope to see you around and about, and do take care!
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
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