59 Councillor Callum Laidlaw

May feel like quite a long time ago - that's when the last local elections were held. So it's time to meet another of our new Councillors - Callum Laidlaw of the Tories. 
 

Cllr Callum Laidlaw

He was elected back in May along with Kate Campbell of the SNP, Mary Campbell for the Greens and Maureen Child, the long established representative of Labour.

We wondered how he had found the past six months both in the Council Chamber -  and also  with his constituents.

Cllr Callum Laidlaw 

58 Beach Wheelchairs

The Indian Summer we enjoyed in September may have gone but people still come to Portobello Beach whatever the weather. However, until now those with disabilities weren't really catered for - you certainly can't push an ordinary wheelchair along the sand as we have discovered!
 

There are now two beach wheelchairs in Porty

The arrival of the Beach Wheelchairs at the West end of the Prom (in the Tumbles Car Park) solves that. 

 Beach Wheelchairs

Book and find out more at info@portobellobeachwheelchairs.co.uk

57 Councillor Mary Campbell

Politics can seriously change your life! About six months ago, Mary Campbell moved from being a local green activist to being one of Portobello's elected representatives. 
 

Cllr Mary Campbell

In this episode, she reflects on her new role, the challenges and frustrations that go along with it.

Cllr Mary Campbell 

56 Jump In

How many children in Scotland leave school unable to swim? And how many child deaths here are due to drowning? Sadly, all too many!
 

Portobello Swim Centre's main pool

That's why September has been a busy month in the Portobello Swim Centre - and indeed in other pools across the city. 'Jump In' is a campaign to raise money to help young children from the poorest backgrounds to learn to swim. There's still time to join in by donating money to the cause.  But before that, have a listen to this latest episode.

Jump In 

The simplest way is by texting to EDLS65 £3 to 70070

55 Sale of Tumbles and the Pitz?

There is a growing anger with the City of Edinburgh Council over the proposed sale of land at Westbank Street where the 5-a-side pitches and Tumbles are located. According to many local people, guarantees were made after the demolition of the power station and swimming pool that all of this whole area would remain as a public amenity. 

 

The land the council propose to sell

But the council has put the land up for sale to pay for the refurbishment of the stadium at Meadowbank. The council insists that there was proper public consultation over the plan – but no-one locally seems to have heard about it. Already, several developers have expressed interest - and (as far as anyone knows) they all want to build housing or retail units on the site. But a group of local people have come up with a plan to make the Council think again. Here are their thoughts.

Westbank 

54 The Keys to Bellfield

It feels quite a long time ago now but the Porty Podcast’s first episode dealt with the campaign to save the redundant church in Bellfield Street for the Community. As explained in a previous post, the Podcast has had to take an enforced break; it therefore seems appropriate that we return once again (perhaps for the time being with occasional posts) with a story about Bellfield because, this week, the keys (a very large bunch of keys) were handed over to Action Porty. 

 

The Organ in Bellfield

Now, the real work begins and money is being raised to make sure the project starts off debt free with the Bellfield Crowdfinding Campaign

Developers had been looking at the potential of the building; however, we understand that many had been put off by the graveyard and the fact that this was an historic building with a beautiful interior. This may have helped Action Porty’s campaign and everybody involved is now delighted with the outcome.

The Keys to Bellfield 

David Calder

We are sorry to have to report that David Calder, the founder and producer of the Porty Podcast has been taken in to hospital and may be out of action for some time.

David Calder

While there may be occasional episodes in the coming weeks, we have no idea when these will be posted.

53 Edinburgh Tool Library

Did you know that the average power drill is used a total of 13 minutes in its lifetime? Or that the average UK household spends £110 a year on tools? Why - we don’t all need to own one?

Edinburgh Tool Library is the UK’s first tool library, promoting sharing as a way of reducing our environmental impact. And now it’s coming to Portobello – and it’s even in the library.

 

Portobello Library

Being a member of ETL will give you access to over 1000 tools without the need to store, maintain, or buy them in the first place – tools for DIY, gardening, decorating and machine repair.

For the first time, local people will be able to borrow those expensive tools they might otherwise have to buy. Membership costs just £20 a year - or simply donate a tool! The first session will be this coming Monday.

Edinburgh Tool Library 

52 Power of Food Festival

There's a growing movement in which communities around the country grow their own food - in allotments, local orchards or just spare pieces of land. 

In Edinburgh, this is celebrated by the Power of Food Festival which takes place this weekend.  This episode explains more about what it all means.

 Power of Food Festival

 Power Of Food Programme  2017
Video from last year

51 Ultimate Frisbee

Natasha Doff of the UK Team

Down on Porty beach - and occasionally on Portobello Golf Course - you will find people, young and old, playing Frisbee. I believe the objective is a mixture of keeping fit and improving hand-eye coordination. Anyway, people seem to enjoy the sport.

However, there's a much more serious side to this activity, known as 'Ultimate Frisbee', which is actually an Olympic Sport. One of the UK Team is Natasha Doff who learned her skill here in Portobello.




Ultimate Frisbee

50 The Tables are Turned

We find it quite hard to believe but the Porty Podcast has reached its 50th episode. We're been surprised and delighted by the number of people who are listening and finding out about the goings on in our community by the sea.

However, for this episode, the tables have been turned. Former BBC broadcast journalist created the podcast last autumn, taking time away from his video production business. His has been the voice asking the questions. But to mark the 50th episode, Bob Jefferson from Portobello Online grabs the microphone and turns the tables on him.

 50th Podcast - the Tables are Turned

49 Looking back on a life that didn't happen

The Porty Podcast is not the only podcast produced here. There's another one, very different in style and content, which has arrived on the scene. It's called "Looking back on a Life the Didn't Happen" and is the creation of one Steven Davidson.

Steven Davidson

If you've ever been to the Comedy Nights at the Dalriada, you'll have seen the host Davidson in action. However, there's another side to his professional life as a performer, one he is keen to share.

Looking Back on a Life that Didn't Happen 

48 Open Mic at the Jaffle Joint

The Jaffle Joint in Portobello High Street is quite a new establishment. In order to attract patrons in to enjoy their Jaffles (Australian for a toastie), the owners have provided a very varied range of entertainments, everything from computer games such as Pacman and Space Invaders, to crafts and live music for players of all ages. 

Rosie Nimmo at the Jaffle Joint

The latest is a new 'open mic' evening. Hosted by local songstress Rosie Nimmo, it's held on the first Thursday of the month. We went along to find out more from Ms Nimmo herself.

Rosie Nimmo at the Jaffle Joint