December Members Update

Hi all,
What a busy month it has been, as you will see below, but first here are some dates to add to your diaries:

Heart Talk Porty 'What's Next?' meeting - 2pm, Sunday 23rd January (in Bellfield &/or online).
Action Porty Extraordinary General Meeting - 7.30pm, Tuesday 1st February (in Bellfield &/or online) - on our plans for the future of Bellfield and community share issue.

Heart Talk Porty’s ‘What’s Next?’ Meeting- 2pm Sunday 23rd January at Bellfield &/or online

This is an opportunity to hear the outcomes of the various Heart Talk Porty conversations, explore how we might progress some of the issues and discuss how we move forward as a community. We hope to see you there!

In the meantime, head to the Heart Talk Porty website for a short report on the Heart Talk process and notes from the conversations that covered education, a community fridge, community growing, transport in Porty, the Prom, community cinema, supporting young mums, affordable community-led housing, Seafield, and community decision making.

Seafield Development - Action Porty's Response

Everyone is encouraged to submit their own responses to the Council's Proposals for the redevelopment of Seafield in their City Plan 2030. The deadline for responses is 5pm Monday 20th December. Action Porty's draft response is available here as a PDF and a Word Document.

The final section of our response outlines the specific changes Action Porty is requesting to the text of the Seafield section of the 2030 plan. However before that we outline the threats and opportunities posed by the development of Seafield. We would strongly welcome a vibrant sister community, and would strongly resist a dead weight development.

Christmas Lights Switch On

Porty Christmas kicked off officially on Thursday the 9th Dec when the Council switched on the Christmas tree lights. There was a festive atmosphere with music from Shunpike Social Club and Funfiddle entertaining the crowd. Many local businesses were open late, providing a great Christmas shopping experience for our community. Bellfield volunteers were also on hand to marshal the events.

At Bellfield, the result of many hours of pom pom making helped to create a beautiful and colourful Christmas tree for all to admire.

On the same night, Greta's mesmerizing video ‘exploding snowflake’ was projected onto Bellfield. The 5 minute art work also had music composed by the local artist and Ali Gillies at Drake Music Scotland. If you missed it or would like to see it again you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QAr5kuSMKM.

Many people helped make this year's Bellfield Christmas a really special community celebration. So, a big thank you to all!

Windows Wanderland

This year’s Window Wanderland ran from Friday 10th Dec till 13th Dec. Once again, this popular event had many creative participants (about 49). The windows reflected on the ‘heart talk’ theme i.e. things dear to your heart and it really lit up our streets. Well done to all involved!

Our window display at Bellfield, The Walrus, was by artist Dallas Henderson who was also behind the Keep Porty Tidy mural along the prom and the murals on Portobello Town Hall. Dallas said about her artwork: "I just wanted to celebrate the wild life we have so close to home, but at the same time highlighting the effects of global warming, and the changes that might inflict on wildlife, causing them to end up in foreign shores".

The Song Space Winter Showcase 2021

The Song Space had an incredible night performing on stage for their annual winter showcase. Classes will resume on the 12th Jan.

Job Vacancy

Action Porty is looking for a volunteer co-ordinator to develop the volunteer offering and enhance the experience of volunteers.

Interested applicants should send a CV with covering letter to iancooke195@gmail.com. They can find a full description of the post here.
Closing date for applications – Monday, 10th January, 2022

Gifts By Donation

You generosity keeps us going. As a charity, we rely on your donations (one off or regular) to enable us to support Bellfield and make a difference to the community of Portobello. Don't forget that, in addition to gifts by donation, you can find out more about ways to donate here.
Lastly you can also support us each time you shop on Amazon, then please use AmazonSmile and Amazon will donate to Actio Porty, at no cost to you.

Season’s Greetings!

Action Porty would like to thank you all for your ongoing support and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022!
We will be taking a well-deserved short break over the festive time ( Dec 23rd till 6th Jan) and will be back in the new year with more activities, events and fun for the community.

Till the next update,

Yours Aye

The Action Porty Board for Bellfield