Porty Podcast

What do you do if a swarm of bees lands in your garden? This week’s episode is something of a public information feature because that’s exactly what happened in the garden of Porty Podcast Producer, David Calder. He didn’t notice it at first – but his neighbour did! The family next door have two boys who love playing football and other ball games. They were afraid that a ball could land in the swarm – and were rather worried about ... Read more

What do you do if a swarm of bees lands in your garden? This week’s episode is something of a public information feature because that’s exactly what happened in the garden of Porty Podcast Producer, David Calder. He didn’t notice it at first – but his neighbour did! The family next door have two boys who love playing football and other ball games. They were afraid that a ball could land in the swarm – and were rather worried about ... Read more

An online campaign has been launched to persuade the people of Portobello to use the golf course. Didn’t know Porty had a golf course? Well. it was once a very popular facility – the Sir Harry Lauder Championship was played here until three or four years ago. But a year ago, demand for golf on this small, 9-hole course had fallen so much that Edinburgh Leisure, who manage it, announced plans for it to close. The ground would remain... Read more

A new exhibition of photographs has just opened at the Skylark. They’re the work of David Williams, formerly Head of Photography at Edinburgh School of Art. Called “From 88 Places”, it’s an extract from a much larger work, a series of photographs carefully taken at each of the 88 Shrines around a hillside in Kyoto in Japan. It took him several years to complete.

The talented local musician, Rosie Nimmo, is about to release a new album – probably called ‘Music is Sunshine’. It’s been three years in the making, three years to produce what she believes is her best work to date. It’s a solo album of new material and she wanted to take the time to make sure they sounded just right. Porty Podcast Producer David Calder went to find out more.

Anyone who’s been to the monthly market in Brighton Park will have seen the stall run by the Greengrocer Project. Yes, they have fruit and veg to sell – but their main reason for being there is to keep up the profile for their longer-term ambition – to set up a shop. Their model is across on the other side of town, in Bruntsfield. It’s a community greengrocer called ‘Dig In’ which is now running successfully, although it took some ... Read more

Anyone who’s been to the monthly market in Brighton Park will have seen the stall run by the Greengrocer Project. Yes, they have fruit and veg to sell – but their main reason for being there is to keep up the profile for their longer-term ambition – to set up a shop. Their model is across on the other side of town, in Bruntsfield. It’s a community greengrocer called ‘Dig In’ which is now running successfully, although it took some ... Read more

You may notice that Portobello – especially the beach and indeed the waters of the Forth – are a little quieter than usual this coming week. The reason for this is that the two local rowing clubs are off to the ‘Skiffie Worlds’ – in other words, the World Championships for the St Ayles Skiffs, the rowing boats you see out almost every day. Row Porty will be heading off with a crew of 25; the Eastern Amateur Rowing Club will have al... Read more

You may notice that Portobello – especially the beach and indeed the waters of the Forth – are a little quieter than usual this coming week. The reason for this is that the two local rowing clubs are off to the ‘Skiffie Worlds’ – in other words, the World Championships for the St Ayles Skiffs, the rowing boats you see out almost every day. Row Porty will be heading off with a crew of 25; the Eastern Amateur Rowing Club will have al... Read more

There have been assorted fairs selling arts and crafts at Bellfield since it opened its doors. But a new one will arrive tomorrow which has a rather different theme. It’s called ‘A Spoonful of Vintage by the Sea’ and it’s organised by a couple who moved to Portobello 5 years ago. They are fascinated by everything to do with the 1950s – as David Calder discovered.Royalty Free Music from SonicfireTrack: Riviera (SS_4913)Album: Across... Read more

The petition to save Portobello Town Hall is growing and approaching 1500 signatures – it may even have reached that target by this morning. The building has been neglected for many years. But its condition has deteriorated to the point where the Lothian Dance Academy’s Annual Show almost had to be cancelled. With hours to go, the work was carried out in order to save it. However, when THAT work was being carried out, it became cle... Read more

You may have come across the Porty songstress, Sheila McWhirter, the lead singer with The Blue Moon Travellers. Sheila has had many roles throughout her life – she’s currently teaching English as a foreign language – but she really wants to focus on her music and on helping others to find their voices. The group has just produced its first CD, called ‘Into the Blue’, which highlights the beauty and quality of Sheila's own voice – a... Read more

You may have come across the Porty songstress, Sheila McWhirter, the lead singer with The Blue Moon Travellers. Sheila has had many roles throughout her life – she’s currently teaching English as a foreign language – but she really wants to focus on her music and on helping others to find their voices. The group has just produced its first CD, called ‘Into the Blue’, which highlights the beauty and quality of Sheila's own voice – a... Read more

Some of you may have seen a group of people from Children 1st out on Porty High Street recently. They were canvassing opinion about a piece of legislation which has just started making its way through the Scottish Parliament. The new law, which some find controversial, would make it illegal for parents to smack or otherwise physically punish their children. Children 1st, now in its 134th year, understandably supports the bill and h... Read more

Book blogs are very popular – there are well over 100 in the UK alone. They’re liked by the public because they help their readers find new books they might enjoy. They’re also liked by authors and publishers because they help to raise the profile of new titles. The Porty Book Blog has just celebrated its 4th anniversary. It was created by Joanne Baird because she is an enthusiastic, voracious reader and she’s keen to share that en... Read more

Portobello Prom and Beach are well used by locals and visitors alike – one only has to think of the crowds who thronged here over the Easter Weekend to see this in action. However, there’s been a lot of interest in how to improve the area, to make everyone’s enjoyment of the beach that much better; and we’re not just talking about the area where most people tend to congregate, between Tumbles and the Swim Centre. The Prom after all... Read more

Both the police and the City of Edinburgh Council are keen to encourage people to take part in ‘active travel’. That means walking or cycling to work, walking or cycling to school. A substantial amount of the transport budget is already devoted to improving the infrastructure to let this happen. The 20mph speed limit was one part of it; the creation of dedicated cycle lanes or cycle paths is another. It’s a recognition that you won... Read more

Over the last few days, you may have seen great changes at the Seafield end of the Prom. The wall at the back of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home (EDCH) had been covered with graffiti and frankly looked an embarrassment! All of that has now been covered with white paint and a huge 25m (80ft) mural has been installed as well. It’s a joint venture between EDCH and the Edinburgh Shoreline Project – we heard a couple of weeks ago how it ... Read more

Portobello has a new community police officer. PC Gemma Knox started here at the start of the year, following on from the excellent work done by Matt McPherson who’s moved on to become a School Link Officer. The job is becoming more challenging. The police station in Porty is no longer permanently staffed – PC Knox is based out of Craigmillar – and, for most of the time, she has to work alone as the number of community officers has... Read more