Dear All

The informal consultation on the review of the catchment area for Towerbank Primary School has begun.  There is no fixed proposal at present and we want as wide and deep a consultation as possible to get the right solution for all the communities and neighbourhoods in the area. Portobello Community Counicl has a link to it survey here: https://www.portobellocc.org/towerbank.php?ref=mc.  Please feel free to share it.  There will be paper copied in the Library.  You can also speak about this to community councillors at their regular monthly stall at Scotmid Bath Street on Saturday from 10am to 12 noon. If you want, you can also sign up to Portobello Community Council’s email list to keep up to date on Porty issues and their consulting. They send it out about twice a month portobellocc.org/mailinglist.php

The second annual Portobello /Craigmillar St Patrick’s Day Pageant will take place this weekend on Sunday 15 March.  This promises to be a fun-packed afternoon out for all participants, including local groups, churches, schools, shops and families. The procession will move off at 2pm for a short stroll along part of Portobello Promenade. Last year, several local community groups such as Portovelo and Row Porty took part in the procession, along with Irish dancers, a pipe band and a jazz band.  This year should be bigger and better, with even more local groups taking part. See here: St Patrick’s Day Pageant

Historic Scotland have notified the Council that Holyrood Park road between Duddingston village and Holyrood Park Road, referred to locally as the Low Road, will be closed to all traffic from Saturday 21 March until Tuesday 24 March for essential resurfacing work.

If you missed the Meet the Funders event in Craigmillar Library Hub last week, there is another chance soon.  The next Meet the Funders is on Thursday 23 April 1.00 – 4.00pm, this time in The Central Library, George IV Bridge

Our Forth Porty is holding a Portobello Community Charter Meeting on Wednesday 18 March from 7-9pm at the Dalriada, Promenade.  More at:  Our Forth Porty

Members of the public, including students and people who may have moved home since the last time they registered, are being reminded to check their registration details are correct ahead of the vote on Thursday, 7 May.  Anyone who has moved home or changed their name since the Referendum will need to ensure their details are up-to-date in order to vote in May. Members of the public can register or update their details online using the Government website by 20 April. Find out where, when and how to vote on the Council website.

The street lighting lanterns at Argyle Crescent were recently changed to a white light source. This is city wide exercise to replace obsolete lanterns, reduce energy consumption and mitigate rises in energy costs and carbon footprint. The street lighting section will shortly undertake a night time appraisal of the newly installed lighting in Argyle Crescent. If you have any further queries, do contact streetlighting@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Kids in the Street (KITS) is a fantastic local project that engages young people through sport. Find out more at KITS new website: kidsinthestreet.org.uk

Last year the Portobello/Craigmillar Neighbourhood Partnership agreed to fund the long-awaited Abercorn pedestrian crossing near St Philip’s Church and hoped the work would have been done last summer. All the design and raid safety audit work is now done, but the in-house signals team are overwhelmed with work so the construction has gone out to tender.  April is now the new ETA.

Quaker Vigil on Equality by Portobello and Musselburgh Quaker Meeting on Saturday 14 March (tomorrow) from 11am to 1pm on Portobello High Street close to Portobello Town Hall.  leaflets available, on promoting equality as a spiritual concern.  All who identify with the concern are welcome to join them.  Next Saturday Portobello Amnesty are holding a Coffee Morning with stalls including books, baking and toys and games Saturday 21st March 10am to 12 noon Old Parish Church Hall Bellfield Street £1 entrance includes tea, coffee and biscuits.  Music from Caleerie Buskers

At Craigmillar Library on Saturday 14 March there will be an afternoon of friendship poetry and performance intended to bring together the Scottish and Polish communities, so do tell your Polish neighbours and friends they will be made very welcome.  More here: Shindigs Scottish Artspace

Craigmillar Castle is well worth a visit.  Fantastic history and great views: Craigmillar Castle

On World Book Day, the arrival of David Walliams in a helicopter on the school field at Castleview Primary School sparked great excitement among star-struck pupils. The children, who have read his books and watched his antics on Britain’s Got Talent, described his visit as the "best day of school ever". But – for the Head Teacher, Lyndsay Watt – this one was even better last night:  Prepared to be Dazzled!  I was well prepared to be Dazzled, as I always am by Castleview shows, but this one was a tour-de-force!

The beautiful Craigmillar’s Art Deco White House is continuing to develop its wonderful cafe and community hub.  See here: The White House, Craigmillar

A homage to female family members for International Women’s Day Portobello – collaborative work by Not Finished Art.  See here or visit Portobello (top of Bellfield Street) :  pic.twitter.com/yc9WBBkGDG

Have a good weekend!

Maureen