Dear All
The Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee agreed on a statutory consultation on the proposal to provide a new secondary school to replace Castlebrae High School on the site identified in Craigmillar Town Centre, to the east of the Council East Office and Craigmillar Library. For further information and the full statutory consultation paper and an online questionnaire are at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/
The annual small grants program opened for applications to help for work with children and families. More here: http://www.edinburghcompact.
Remember the Jumble Sale at Portobello Town Hall in aid of Portobello Amateur Swimming Club this Saturday. Monies raised will go towards the social and fun events as well as competition fees for relay galas. That’s Saturday 18 November from 10.30am to 1pm. Tombola, home baking and jumble all on sale. If you’d like to hand in any items for sale PASC are setting up on Friday evening (17 Nov) from 6pm – 7.30pm.
Remember you can vote for Portobello’s own Fun Fiddle project which has been nominated at the Scots Traditional Music Awards for ‘Community Project of the Year’. Voting is for their category is here at Question 7:
https://projects.
A few days of ground investigation works are being undertaken to inform the work required for a new footbridge over the Niddrie Burn at Hunters Hall, as promised a long time ago. I have an electronic copy of a plan showing the proposal and where they will be working; if you would like to see the plans just let me know. There will also be a path down to the Jack Kane Centre, thanks to additional cycle charity Sustrans and the Council’s active travel budget. The Council hopes to deliver the bridge project in April / May 2018. We will have a firmer start date once a contractor has been appointed.
I am so relieved that minimum pricing of alcohol will come in after a Court appeal by the whisky industry was rejected this week! Reasons why are here: http://thirdforcenews.org.uk/
Action Porty, who took possession of the Bellfield Church and Halls just few short weeks ago, have been as busy ever since getting it ready for everyone’s community use. Part-time Development Managers, Emma Griffiths and Angela Thomas, have been hard at work creating a costed and sequenced plan for the essential safety and repair work which needs to be done before we can open Bellfield fully for use by the community in June 2018. New fire alarms, improved fire escape routes, asbestos identification and specialist high level repairs to the clock tower, are all crucial steps which will allow the building to be used safely and legally. The team are also looking at how best to upgrade the kitchen and catering facilities. To keep fully up to date and be involved, do join as Action Porty Members! Email friendsofbellfield@gmail.com
Friends of Figgate Park are selling a calendar to raise funds for their great work improving the park. Just £8 for a wonderful 2018 calendar full of gorgeous figgy wildlife photos (all taken by Anthony Robson) as well as that feel good factor knowing you are supporting a lovely local park, nominated as one of the best in the UK. The calendars will be available for sale at the Farmers Market in Brighton Park on Saturday 2 December from 10am.
The temperatures are dropping, and it’s time for all of us to get prepared for winter. The link below gives the location of grit bins, what you can expect the Council to do in severe weather, and what you can do to make yourself and your street well aware and ready for winter. The Council will do it’s bit, but fit individual citizens can and will help themselves and neighbours out when weather gets tough. More here : http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/
The Thistle Foundation, Queens Walk, Craigmillar, are holding another community music night on Friday 24 November, 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Join in a night of fun and singalong! Good food, music and free admission. Over 16s only. More information and sign up form Dani Waddell. Email dani.waddell@thistle.org.uk or phone Dani on 07909 257415
Now it’s time to look away and stop reading, if it’s still too early for you to think about Christmas……
Christmas Fair on Saturday 25 November 11am – 1pm in Richmond Craigmillar Church Hall to support the Church’s amazing local work.
This Christmas, you can take the whole family to meet The Snow Queen who has transformed Newhailes into a magical winter wonderland. And you can help the busy elves prepare for Christmas, taking part in a range of festive crafts, songs and dance. Sound like fun? More details here: https://www.nts.org.uk/Event/
Join Thistle on Saturday 2 December for Thistle’s first ever Christmas Fair. From 12.30pm – 4pm the Centre of Wellbeing will be full of carol singing, cakes, cards and gifts, fantastic artisan produce and plenty of Christmas cheer! There might be a couple of stall spaces left, so do contact gail.begg@thistle.org.uk if you’re interested. Entry is £1 on the door (under 16s free).
All are welcome to Holy Rood High School’s Christmas Carols and Craft Fair on Monday 4 December 5pm – 8pm. A wide variety of Christmas gifts for all. £2 entry (children free entry)
Christmas Makers Market at Tribe Porty is on Saturday 9 December, 12-4pm. Free entry.
Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 17 December for 4pm: a service of traditional Lessons and Carols with mulled fruit punch and mince pies afterwards. Do come along with family and friends. Details of all our services at: www.robinchapel.org.uk
Whatever you do, have a lovely weekend!
Kind regards
Maureen
Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | The City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 | Mobile 07718 666 481 | Twitter @MaureenChild1 | Facebook Maureen Child for Portobello/Craigmillar