It’s the weekend and the weather looks promising.  A great walk would be Queens Park-Innocent Railway-Duddingston Road-Craigmillar Castle and finish off with brunch at The White House Highly recommended!

Kids In The Street young people’s project are holding a fundraiser this weekend in the Woolmet Suite. Jewel Miners Club, Duddingston Road South on Saturday 7th March. Buffet, music 7 till late! pic.twitter.com/vdIYm52sqE

One step closer to summer, and the Portobello Market‘s here again on Saturday 7th March, It’s definitely looking up. 22 traders will join us this month so they have a bit of a bumper choice for you. There’ll be tables and chairs for you to sit a while with a fresh coffee and a tasty goodie whilst you rest from the busy throng of people at the stalls. Full list of all traders on the website. You can join Portobello Market from 9.30am in Brighton Park, just off Brighton Place, until early afternoon at 1.30pm. They have created a new Facebook page just for the market and would love it if you could "Like" the page and share it.

Programmes, Groups and Activities for parents and carers living in our area.  Very useful booklet: Parents Booklet  To celebrate World Book Day this week, I bring you more information on the fabulous Books for  Babies project in Craigmillar http://bigblogscotland.org.uk/2015/02/06/bringing-a-love-of-stories-into-the-lives-of-children/  And I note that Little Britain star David Walliams made a whirlwind visit to Castleview Primary School on Thursday as part of a tour to promote World Book Day and answered the children’s searching questions.

Work began on the community garden at the Jack Kane Community Centre on Monday.  I can’t wait to see how the space develops for the local community!

You are invited to come along and find out more about self-directed support and other services in your area between 10am-4pm. Craigmillar Library Hub, 101 Niddrie Mains Road, EH16 4DT Monday 23rd March

The Youth Parliament Elections are happening this week.  There is a hustings event for the East constituency taking place at Craigmillar library on Saturday 7^th March, 1.30 – 3.30pm. Six young people from our local area running in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections, and the event is an opportunity for local young people to come along, engage in political discussions about issues impacting on them, and cast their vote on the day. More here:

http://jackkanecommunity.org/scottish-youth-parliament/

We had a fantastic 1^st Fairtrade City event at Summerhall last Saturday with stalls, singing and storytelling. Good to see our very own Just World Shop there with Jim and Morag Baird were there too.  Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edinburgh-Fairtrade-City/237385059663471 You may have noticed that signs have been put up at several key gateway points to the Capital, demonstrating our city’s fair trade credentials. Edinburgh has been a Fairtrade City for 11 years now. Coinciding with Fairtrade Fortnight 2015, 15 signs bearing the universal FAIRTRADE logo and the words ‘We are a Fairtrade City’ are currently being put up at various sites around the outskirts of Edinburgh, including at the eastern boundaries. Fairtrade Sign  

‘You Decide’ –  this year local people choose who gets a Community Grant and bids close on 2nd April. For help if you are a new voluntary group and want help and advice about the application process, phone 0131 529 6374.  You can find more details in previous updates or I can send them to you.  And there are other ways of finding funds: Scottish Council  for Voluntary Organisations has a free on- line search engine which shows up those other possible sources of funding at http://fundingscotland.com/

The first Portovelo film night is being held in The Skylark on Wednesday 11th March.  As you’d expect, these will all feature cycling-themed films, and will be held roughly once a month.  Everyone is welcome, and there’s no need to buy a ticket (just buy a beer or snack from the Skylark’s great menu). The first film is the 2006 biopic of Graeme Obree, Flying Scotsman, starring Jonny Lee Miller.

Lots of local chat and totally understandable anxiety about the proposals to change the catchment area of Towerbank Primary School to deal with the rising roll there.  Despite what the report say, there is currently no preferred Council option and our community will help shape the proposals to make the catchment areas work best for us.  The informal consultation starts now.  I understand the Brighton and Rosefield residents are planning a meeting before the end of March.  Please do feel free get in touch with me and let me know what your thoughts are mean time.  There will be formal meeting on options in May and plenty of time and opportunity to have your say.

Read a great review our new local social enterprise, Breadshare: Lunch Review

Castlebrae Community High School pupil has won Future Chef Regional Final. Well done, Jai!  See here:. pic.twitter.com/YknN3hLO8D

Local Opportunities for Older People aka LOOPs are having a brilliant social and information event for people 65+ on  Monday 30^th March 4-6.30pm.  Share with anyone who’d be interested! pic.twitter.com/qljrmJY6tA

Every year, Castleview Primary School Craigmillar arrange a fantastic whole school citizenship week experience for young people and all those who help us in the community.  This is P4 hard at work : wp.me/p3VxFv-ts

Dementia Friendly Portobello now has a Facebook Group. Please show your support by joining. fb.me/3ljk6KRoH

Leaflet here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/dementia.friendly.portobello/1589662167915294/  5 ways to keep your mind active, by #dementia expert @ProfJuneAndrews #DementiaGuide bit.ly/1y5krNX pic.twitter.com/5CS4aXEr0v

As we gradually move out of winter into the budding spring there are some exciting things to get involved with at Bridgend Farmhouse in the coming months we wanted to remind you about: Bridgend Farmhouse Open Drop-In: Every Sunday 11-3pm at Bridgend Farmhouse. Free lunch and drinks included. A whole range of things to get involved with and people to meet and a chance to shape the plans for the site and project. This is your opportunity to be directly involved in helping to renovate the site.The BIG Spring Open Day & AGM: Sunday March 22nd. Keep the date free, times and details still to be confirmed. Bridgend Inspiring Growth Farmhouse Renovation Group www.bridgendfarmhouse.org.uk Facebook: Bridgend Farmhouse bridgendfarmhse.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend!

Maureen