Dear All

 

Tomorrow (Saturday 7 May) I will be joining in the Portobello Timebank Brunstane Burn Clean Up – Take 3! You are very welcome to join us between 2-5pm meeting outside Brunstane Station, prepared for some mucky hard work – and sweet treats for the grafters.  More here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1804938566396437/?active_tab=highlights

 

The community-run Joppa Tennis Courts is having their Family Open Day this Sunday 8 May from 1.30pm to 5pm. More here: https://www.facebook.com/events/196993150685813/

 

Remember that You Decide! is coming next Saturday 14 May at Portobello Town Hall, 1-3pm. The Portobello/Craigmillar Neighbourhood Partnership has decided to award the four small grants right away and add the amount left over to augment the larger grant fund.  The remaining 21 applications, amounting to £27,748, will seek to be successful from the remaining £19,738 at the Portobello Town Hal event on 14 May at Portobello Town Hall and are marshalling their support.  I hope all other groups are doing the same and we have a great turnout. More here http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/neighbourhood-partnerships/portobello-and-craigmillar/about/you-decide!/

 

Locally based circus skills group, Full Cirqle and Friends invite you inside to see what they have been working on during the last couple of months. Expect another fun-filled evening of performances from acrobats, jugglers, aerialists and more. Last one sold out.  Details here:  https://www.facebook.com/fullcirqle/posts/794027477399848#!/events/229377177417693/?action_history=null

 

The applicants EDI Group Ltd’s second planning consultation drop-in event for the highly controversial Green Belt site at Brunstane is on Wednesday 18 May from 3pm to 8pm at the King’s Manor Hotel, Milton Road East.

 

Living Streets is promoting walking during May suggesting you might work a 20 minute walk into your day and asking you to sign the pledge – as I have.  See here:  http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1719&ea.campaign.id=48068&ea.tracking.id=eaf

One way might be to join in a healthy walk led by park rangers? Contact here:   http://chronicleonline.net/2016/05/01/healthy-walks/

 

Promoting awareness and  raising funds in Dementia Awareness Week: http://daw.dementiascotland.org/?utm_content=buffer6e2ca&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Are you worried about yourself, a friend or relative? Alzheimer Scotland runs a freephone Dementia Helpline open 24/7 on 0808 808 3000 pic.twitter.com/iqY5iReuvO  This is good advice about dementia care, nicely expressed, according to a leading light in dementia care and research: http://dementiaenvironmentaldesign.com/2016/01/02/10-tips-for-communicating-with-a-person-with-dementia/

 

A reminder that Saturday is Portobello Market day, Brighton Park, Portobello, Edinburgh, from 9.30-1.30. List of traders: http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobello-market/stallholders-for-saturday-7th-may/

 

PEDAL Portobello Transition Town also run the community orchard, very much appreciated by local people and visitors to the area, with the Brunstane Station on the Borders Railway nearby.  It’s quite an oasis.  More here: http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/orchard/

 

Update on the dangerous parking on Brunstane Road South – we now have the pro-active support of the local police to repel objections, on road safety grounds, to the double yellow lines and proceed to pt the traffic regulation order (TRO)  in place.  It is likely still to take months, but the support of the police help.  I am grateful to Sgt Gordon Duff and roads officer Keith Allison for trying their very best to get this tortuous process concluded before an accident happens.

 

Police Scotland are looking to as many people as possible to give them feedback about what their local and national priorities should be.  Please take a little time to fill this out:   http://www.scotland.police.uk/about-us/decision-making/public-consultation/local-policing-consultation

 

Edinburgh has seen recycling rates rise thanks to the success of a new service alongside a focused campaign to increase uptake by the City of Edinburgh Council  More here: .http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/2057/capital_recycling_rates_continue_to_climb?utm_content=bufferd927b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer  Do keep on telling me of any local glitches or gaps in service. 

 

I have donated to the charity Gorgie City Farm which is hugely appreciated by lots of families I know and is struggling to make ends meet.   See more here: http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/tfn-news/city-farm-in-fight-for-survival?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Oktopost-twitter-profile&utm_campaign=Oktopost-2016-04+General+Campaign

 

The Craigmillar-based Hot Hoose’s Feel Good project encourages and supports young people (aged 12-25) to improve their emotional, sexual and physical health, and to try new fitness activities and health foods.  Find out more here: https://www.neighbourly.com/project/5723907cc333bd2a90e020b3/feed?utm_content=buffer89531&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

Anna Moffat’s lovely shots of the Portobello Ceilidh Kids:  https://annamoffat.com/photos-edinburgh-kids-classes/

 

Date for your diary: a Portobello Family Ceilidh on 19 June, 2.30pm to 5pm at St Marks’ Church,  More here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1125585324140740/

 

Two lots of road works on Portobello High Street are happening this week and starting next week and might cause some disruption to traffic: https://mobile.twitter.com/edintravel/status/727843820767956992/photo/1 

 

A special event at the National Trust property, Newhailes House coming up next month.  Join Miss Christian in the 1800s at her home Newhailes House. This is a hands-on activity based, costumed interpretation tour, 45min-1hr. More here: http://www.nts.org.uk/Events/Ticket/Buy/5602/

 

Portobello and Joppa Parish Church are advertising Music for Christian Aid on Sunday 15 May at 7.30 pm. The event is open and free to all, but donations are welcome.

 

The More!fun Children’s Book Festival, takes place in local libraries between 24 and 27 May in the East Neighbourhood Libraries.  Full programme on the website, in libraries or I can send you a rather large PDF of the poster.

 

Portobello Pier was opened in 1871 but was demolished in 1917. This picture is from the National Library of Scotland:  pic.twitter.com/LuBsuW6j7Q

 

I am delighted to have doubled the amount of money I raised – so far – for the fabulous Thistle Foundation in the last week, thanks to some very generous people!  All contributions still very welcome indeed, little or large! Link to my abseil fundraising page is here: 

https://thistlefoundation.everydayhero.com/uk/maureen-abseil  And Thistle are moving into their brilliant new building in Craigmillar next to the Robin Chapel over the next week.  Very exciting! See more here: https://www.facebook.com/thistlefoundation/posts/10153400252022827:

 

Have a great weekend, whatever you’re doing!

 

Best wishes

 

Maureen

 

 

Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 | Mobile 07718 666 481| Twitter @MaureenChild1

 

p.s. My face-to-face Councillor Advice Sessions, or ‘Surgeries’, are usually every Monday at 5.30 pm in Castleview Community Centre, 76 Craigmillar Castle Avenue (Phone 661 4064) and then at 7 pm in Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue (Phone 529 5558).  Now also at Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road, EH16 4DT, 1st Wednesday of the month, drop-in session 5pm-5.30pm, thereafter by appointment only up until 7.30pm. Please phone me on Direct Line 0131 529 3268 or Mobile 07718 666 481, or email maureen.child@edinburgh.gov.uk to check availability, make an appointment or request a home visit.