Portobello ABC

[Prince Regent]

When Woodwares departs the High Street, with it will go a distinctive feature of Porty life. The imminent change got me thinking about other things that make our community distinctive. There is the topography of course, the pattern of the streets, vistas, buildings – but what are the details that add up to each of our own personal Portobellos, and how much of the meaning of those details is shared?

The environmental charity, Common Ground, developed a way of capturing that sense of shared meaning. The ‘ABC’ puts everything on the same level, puts unexpected things next to each other and perhaps catches them in a different light. It can be quirky or commonplace. Different people will value different things, but that’s what makes it interesting.

My contribution, off the top of my head:
Amusements, the Beach, Boatyard, Cormorants, Figgate Burn, Georgian cottages, Gargoyles, Harry Lauder, Hugh Miller, Joppa Rocks, Kilns, Miami Vice apartments, the Prom, Parks, Redshanks, Town Halls, the Tower, Terns, Turkish Baths, Weather-vanes – and Woodwares

What are yours?

[seashell]

Amusements, Baths, Chippy, Daisy Park, Figgate Burn, Fishwives Causeway, Harry Lauder, Joppa terminus, Open Air Pool, Promenade, "Refreshment Room" at the Baths, Second hand shops, Shows, Viewing Gallery at the Baths, X-Ray machine in a shoe shop in the 60s.

I seem to be a bit fixated on swimming in Porty!