Dear All

This month’s Portobello Market is on this Saturday, 6 March in Brighton Park from 9.30am to 1.30pm.  More details here: https://www.pedal-porty.org.uk/food/portobello-market/

It was good to have a virtual management committee meeting this week with the fabulous Jack Kane Community Centre team.  It’s always a pleasure to hear about their work and hear the voices of young people talking directly about what they have achieved.  Find out more about their work here: https://sway.office.com/Ue6odM0cK8anc690

I was part of the panel deciding on the Community Grants Fund applications this week.  We had some great applications from across Portobello and Craigmillar Ward for a variety of great small projects for a 2021 pot of £22,637.  Letters will be going out shortly to the successful organisations.  Until that’s done, I am sworn to secrecy.

SPOKES Porty, Portobello Community Council and transport officers have been working together on what might be done in the short, medium and longer term to make the Kings Road junction safer.  Portobello Community Council have put up the briefing note here: http://www.portobellocc.org/pccpn/2021/02/24/kings-road-junction-update/

We had a Board Meeting of our new charity Craigmillar Now this week, very much missing one of our founding directors, Johnni Stanton who sadly died this month after a long illness.  We’re looking forward to recreating the Craigmillar Festival spirit, which Johnni did so much to foster.  Quite a few people are getting actively involved in planning for a ‘Craigmillar Gala’ event in August.  We’re working with Bridgend Farmhouse, Carr Gomm and Craigmillar Connecting on various aspects of this and gathering a great team of volunteers on different strands of the work. Keep in touch: https://craigmillarnow.com/

An interesting read for this week: http://walkwheelcyclevote.scot/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/WWCV-Health-briefing-2021.pdf

I hear last week’s Spaces for People link didn’t work last Update, so here it is again.  Click here: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/roads-travel-parking/street-schemes-proposals/1

For the Space for People consultation.  If anyone needs a paper copy of the survey, email  street.schemes@edinburgh.gov.uk for a copy and reply-paid envelope will or phone 0131 200 2000 to make your request.  The survey is also available in other formats, e.g. Braille, large format or translation.

Another Council consultation is on the Edinburgh Winter Festivals, which I hope you will respond to as well: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/winterfestivals/

Police Scotland, Coastguard and Council have been working closely together on improved safety for Portobello beach and have come up with a plan to be implemented this month.  New signage will enable people to quickly and efficiently alert emergency services to the spot where someone may have got into difficulties.  

Walk-through testing is now available for people with Coronavirus symptoms at the Jack Kane Centre. It’s open 7 days a week with appointments available 8am to 8pm. Tests must be booked in advance via http://www.nhsinform.scot/test-and-protect or by calling 0800 028 2816.  More here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-government-covid-testing-site-opens-in-edinburgh

Local resident Greig Kelbie has set up a Clean Up Magdalene group inspired by the efforts of other local communities taking pride in their area, such as the Dalkeith Guerrilla Gardeners: https://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/environment/dalkeith-guerrilla-gardeners-to-pick-up-royal-caledonian-horticultural-society-award-3142013. Greig is hoping to replicate something similar in the area he lives in.  He’s on the Magadene Matters Facebook page, but is also happy for me to share his email address, if you who want to join in and help or share your experience: greig.kelbie@gmail.com

For those of us who enjoy all the greenspace around Craigmilar, a bit of history.  Click here:  https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/unsolved-mysteries-edinburgh-queen-marys-tree-craigmillar-3138226

Have a good weekend and do stay safe and well!

Maureen