Maureen Child: Report & Updates June 2011

[administrator]

Dear All

This is a message from members of PEDAL - Portobello Transition Town, which they have asked me to circulate: -

" Many of you will probably already know that PEDAL - Portobello Transition Town http://www.pedal-porty.org.uk , in part­ner­ship with neigh­bour­ing Greener Leith http://www.greenerleith.org/ , is pro­pos­ing to develop a community owned com­mer­cial-scale wind tur­bine on land at Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works (on the border between Portobello and Leith), to gen­er­ate elec­tri­city for sale to local indus­trial users and export to the National Grid. If suc­cess­ful, this will be the first com­munity owned income-generating wind tur­bine in an urban area in the UK. You can read more about the project http://pedal-porty.org.uk/2011/06/wind- ... s-release/ on our website (and there's also a list of FAQs http://pedal-porty.org.uk/energy/wind-p ... rbine-faq/ .

We launched our bid for Energyshare funding http://www.energyshare.com/fund/ on Friday 3rd June, and to be in with a chance of funding we need as many people as possible to sign up and support it! However, to make it we really need your support, as it's the projects with the most online supporters by June 30 which have the most chance of getting funding.

To help build a wind turbine sign-up here http://www.energyshare.com/portobello-l ... y-project/
You need to click on the button saying "Support this group" at the top of that page and enter your details. Leave a comment too if you like, and do pass this on to all your contacts (There are buttons on the Energyshare group page that let you share it by Facebook, Twitter or email). Supporters don't need to live in Portobello, Leith or even Edinburgh. And thanks if you've signed up already! "

PEDAL's AGM and 'Creating the Future Now' session takes place next Thursday, 16 June at Portobello Baptist Church Hall, 185 Portobello High Street (entrance to the wets of the Portobello Bar). All welcome.

Last year PEDAL benefited from a grant from the Scottish Government Climate Challenge Fund. This year, the Craigmillar-based Community Neighbourhood Alliance were successful in attracting a grant of over £180,000 from the same Fund. Their 'Greenhouse Project' is up and running and about to open in premises on Niddrie Mains Road, doing similar work to PEDAL in Portobello.

As you may know, Historic Scotland are enforcing their long-standing ban on commercial vehicles using Holyrood Park as a route form the east to the centre and south side of Edinburgh. Some people have expressed concern that this includes taxis. One of my colleagues, Eric Barry, is a taxi driver and he has share with us definitive legal advice which says taxis ARE allowed in the Park provided they are do not have their 'For Hire' light on - even if they carry commercial advertising. So if you are in a taxi, and the driver is telling you he or she needs to take you the long way round (as has happened to at least one of my constituents on his way home) that is NOT the case. I can send you more details if you needs them.

Finally, Happy Birthday to Portobello Amnesty Group who are celebrating their 50th Birthday this year. They are marking 50 years of their achievements in a number of ways. These include having a display in Portobello Library, Rosefield Avenue featuring 'Women's Rights are Human Rights; Heroes and Heroines; and Burma - A Vision of Hope'. There will hold a street stall near Portobello Town Hall on Saturday 25 June.

Have a good weekend!

Maureen

[administrator]

Dear All
I have attached a newsletter, sent to parents and local Councillors recently, on the progress with the new Portobello High School - to keep you up to date with that. The wonderful showcase art and music evening I attended recently in the current school library will have a fabulous setting once the new school is complete.

Local resident, Mike Knox, who recently retired as Deputy Head Teacher of Holy Rood High School is still very involved in further the developing the very strong local links with Tanzania and he is leading on this years' project: 'A View from Two Volcanoes' to take place during the Edinburgh International Festival. He's asked me to help advertise what they are doing - and invite you to get involved.

This year, there will be a particular focus on life in Scotland and in Tanzania viewed from the twin peaks of two extinct volcanoes – Arthur’s Seat and Mount Kilimanjaro. Their Festival event will run from 10.00am to 10.30pm from Friday 12 to Sunday 21 August in St Mary's Cathedral Hall, in Camino, opposite the Omni Centre and next to John Lewis. An Exhibition will be open from 10.00am to 6.00pm each day there will be an Open Conversation at 6.00pm, a Celebration at 7.30pm and a Cabaret at 9.00pm.

All that activity means a lot to do and a lot of different roles for people to play behind the scenes as well as in the public eye. Mike and the Twende Pamoja Trust are in the process of recruiting and forming several teams to be involved in this venture. Some of the teams will be made up of young people in the 16 to 30 age group, but everyone - whatever their age - is welcome to be involved. If you are interested in being involved in any way in August this year, e mail Mike Knox at: twendepamoja@me.com . Once the list of those involved is finalised a timetable based on each person's time, availability, skills and interests will be drawn up. Any necessary training will be given. Mike says: "It is a great experience to be part of the Festival from the ‘inside’ as part of a diverse team working towards a common goal. You are most welcome to become involved."

I can send you more of the details Mike has already sent me or - better still - do contact Mike Knox direct or you can visit the Website for further information about Twende Pamoja and Pamoja Art: http://www.pamoja-art.co.uk

Finally, I am very much looking forward to attending Castlebrae Community High School's Award Ceremony next week. I had been discussing with Gemma Fraser of the Evening News that we need positive coverage of all the good things that happen in Craigmillar, so it was good to see a fair big piece about young artists from Castlebrae who were commissioned to paint a mural in Castlegreen Care Home Greendykes Road. It looks brilliant, and is great practical experience for the young people, who spent nine months working with the residents and planning the designs before the project was completed.

To finish off - talking of the Council's care home in Craigmillar - I have recently changed my responsibilities to become lead opposition spokesperson on health and social care issues. This is a shift from the environment and sustainability portfolio which I had before. If you have experience as a client or carer, have professional experience in this area of work, that you feel it would be helpful to share with me, please do get in touch.
Have a good weekend!
Maureen

[administrator]