Category: Portobello

Ageing Well the Nordic Way

Ageing Well is looking for participants interested in joining a new Nordic Walking course, which they will be introducing in early spring. 

The Ageing Well Project is run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian and delivers a range of city-wide activities which support people to become, and remain, active in later life. The emphasis is on meeting new people whilst making physical activity accessible and enjoyable.

Ageing Well activities have been developed to cater for a wide range of tastes and abilities and all activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves

Cat Wilson, Active Communities Project Officer at Edinburgh Leisure said: “This new course will complement our already popular regular walks which take place in different locations around the city each week. It’s for anyone who would like to try a new activity, meet some like-minded people, and get physically active.

“Nordic walking origins are Finnish with more than 10 million people globally enjoying this outdoor activity. The evidence shows that you can burn around 20% more calories compared to conventional walking. The use of poles means the effort is divided across the upper and lower body, so it feels easier, particularly when walking uphill.”

The four-week course will start in spring on a date to be decided, depending on interest. 

Participants will meet at Straiton Place Park, on the promenade at Portobello Beach, and would be expected to attend all four sessions to graduate. Each session will last 1-hour, and poles will be provided if people do not already have their own.

Once group members have graduated from the 4-week introductory course, they will be eligible to join the Nordic Walking 6-week course, visiting various locations in Edinburgh. These walks would take between 1.5 – 2 hours.

Ageing Well relies on external funding and donations to deliver its programmes across Edinburgh. A donation of £3 per week is therefore appreciated for this activity. This can be paid in one go or each week. People’s generous support means Edinburgh Leisure can provide a range of activities to reach more older adults in need of their support, protecting their health and wellbeing and improving their quality of life. 

In 2018 the Ageing Well programme was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. The award reflects the tremendous contribution of Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well volunteers and the positive difference they make to the lives of participants. 

To find out more and/or to register your interest in joining the initial 4-week introductory course, contact active@edinburghleisure.co.uk or call 0131 458 2260

For more information:   www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

Missing Alice ‘entered water alone’

Police Scotland has issued an update on the search for missing woman Alice Byrne:

‘Extensive enquiries have been carried out as part of our efforts to trace 28-year-old Alice Byrne, including house to house enquiries, CCTV reviews and detailed searches in the local area.

‘Alice was last seen leaving a friend’s flat in Marlborough Street, Edinburgh, on the morning of Saturday, 1 January, 2022, and walking towards the promenade and beach.

‘Our enquiries have subsequently indicated that Alice entered the water alone on the morning she went missing.

‘Efforts to trace her continue and officers are providing support and updates to Alice’s family.’

In a statement released though Police Scotland, shortly after herdisappearance Alice’s family said: “Alice has been missing for one week now and we are shocked and distressed by her disappearance.

“She always keeps in contact with us so we are extremely worried because we have not heard from her. We are desperate to know where she is.

“If Alice sees this, we want her to know how much we miss her. We just want her home safe and well.”

Alice: the search goes on

Searches are continuing to trace 28-year-old Alice Byrne who was last seen in the Portobello area on Saturday 1 January.

Alice was last seen by her family at her home around 2am on Saturday, 1 January. She met friends in Marlborough Street and left a flat there between 8am and 10am on Saturday morning.

She may have headed towards the promenade area. Police believe the area would have been busy with the public and vehicles and it is requested that people in the area at the time check pictures, videos or dash cam footage that they may have for any sightings of Alice.

Alice is described as white, around 5ft 6ins in height and of medium build with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a, black top, black jeans ripped at the knees and white trainers.

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal from Craigmillar Police station said: “Alice is known to frequent the Portobello and New Hailes areas of Edinburgh. Since she was reported missing, officers have been carrying out extensive searches and enquiries in these areas.

“Local officers led by specialist search advisors have been assisted by resources including the air support unit, police dogs and our marine unit.

“Officers will continue to speak to people who know her and who live in the local community. Searches are continuing throughout the area and we would also ask local residents to check their outbuildings and sheds, as well as urging anyone with any information on Alice’s whereabouts to get in touch as soon as possible.”

“This is an upsetting time for Alice’s family who are extremely concerned that she has not been in contact with them since Saturday. This is completely out of character for her.

“I would again urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday morning, or anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible. If Alice reads this appeal, I would urge us to phone her family, friends or the Police. Contact 101 quoting reference 0647 of 2 January.”

Concern over missing Portbello woman Alice Byrne: can you help?

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for the assistance of the public in tracing a 28-year-old Alathea Byrne – known as Alice – who is missing from her home in Portobello.

Alice was last seen by her family at her home around 2am on Saturday, 1 January. She met friends in Marlborough Street and left a flat there around 10am on Saturday.

She is described as white, around 5ft 6ins in height and of medium build with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing an orange jacket, black top, black jeans and white trainers. She was carrying a black rucksack.

Inspector Keith Scott said: “It is out of character for Alice not to keep in contact with her family and friends. We are becoming increasingly concerned for her wellbeing and we are working to trace her as soon as possible to ensure that she is safe and well.

“Searches and enquiries have been ongoing since she was reported missing, and we are now asking the public for any assistance they can provide.

“I would urge anyone who has seen Alice since Saturday morning, or anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact us as soon as possible.

“I would appeal to Alice herself to contact us if she sees this appeal. Contact 101 quoting reference 0647 of 2 January.”

Family move into new Barratt home for Christmas

A young family’s Christmas dreams are coming true after managing to take a step up the property ladder with Barratt Homes.

The Casey/Malone family; mum Dawn, dad Jamie and sons Jamie (10) and Thomas (4) along with two-year-old Jack Russell Duggee, were already no strangers to a Barratt home. They’ve been living at the homebuilder’s ‘The Strand’ development in Portobello for the past three years in a three-bed apartment a stone’s throw from Edinburgh’s only beach.

After initially being drawn to The Strand because of the location, the beach, surrounding amenities and great schools, after moving in, it was the sense of community within the development that cemented the family’s desire to really make a home there after forming a close-knit group of friends and socialising at the communal green space.

However, when the pandemic hit, so too did the desire for a garden space for the active family to call their own.

After falling in love with the location and the quality finish of their apartment, they didn’t want to compromise or move away from The Strand, so, having already built a great relationship with the Barratt sales advisors, Dawn looked into what larger properties were becoming available in new phases.

Dawn and Jamie quickly fell in love with the ‘Coull’; a stylish three-bedroom home with the coveted private garden space.

Due to the huge popularity of the development, Dawn had the sales team “on speed dial” and luckily managed to reserve a plot amid high competition – with Barratt even helping them find a rental apartment to move into while their new build completed.

Dawn described the whole experience as “smooth, with great communication with the sales team who are always on hand to answer any questions and accommodating with any last-minute changes we made to our upgrades.”

The great thing about a new home is not only the peace of mind of a 10-year National House Building Council (NHBC) warranty, which provides decade-long protection for the building and foundations, but also that the fixtures and features are completely customisable as well as being covered under a two-year warranty.

Just some of the additions Dawn and her family made were upgrading the kitchen to include a dishwasher and fridge freezer, tiling, mirrors and towel heaters in the bathroom and cloakroom, flooring throughout the home and the addition of an outside light fitting and tap.

And it’s been a Christmas gift come early, as the move-in date was brought forward from February 2022 to the end of November, and the boys can’t wait to enjoy their new home and additional space over the festive season. In the new year, Jamie has already set his sights on adding a bar at the bottom of the garden where he can enjoy summer cocktails with friends and family parties.

A range of two bedroom homes with a bespoke design for Portobello are currently available at The Strand, and the two-bedroom ‘Ness’ Show Apartment is available to view by appointment. Prices start at £281,995.

For more information, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev002242-the-strand-@-portobello/.

Brrr-ave Asda bosses raise over £3000 for Children in Need

A hardy team of Asda area managers braved the chilly waters of the Firth of Forth when they took a dip for charity at Portobello yesterday.

With donations still coming in their efforts have now raised over £3000 for Children in Need.

PICTURES: Sharon Gray – Asda Leith Community Champion

ASDA bosses take the plunge at Porty today for Children in Need

FORTY managers from Asda central region – including local region manager Brian Boyle – will be taking a brave plunge into the chilly sea at Portobello at 1pm today to raise money for children in need (writes SHARON GRAY, Asda Leith’s Community Champion).

We have raised over £1000 so far, but are looking to raise more. Come along and give your support! Meet up at Bath Street entrance from 12:45pm.

Sharon has also sent some pictures of the Asda team in training:

Police appeal following Fishwives Causeway incident

Police in Edinburgh are continuing enquiries and appealing for information following an incident in Fishwives Causeway on Thursday (11 November).

Around 11.30 pm, a 30-year-old woman was walking along Fishwives Causeway when a man approached her from behind, took hold of her arm and tried to pull her along the pathway.

A passing cyclist intervened and the suspect ran off.

The suspect is described as white, in his 20’s, around 5ft 8, blue or grey eyes and crooked teeth. He was wearing a dark jacket with the hood up and dark trousers.

Detective Constable Neil Donaldson at Fettes Police Office in Edinburgh said: “This would have been a frightening and traumatic experience for the victim.

“Whilst this appears to be a rare and isolated incident we would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Fishwives Causeway around 11.30 pm on Thursday, 11 November 2021 and who may have seen a man fitting the above description”.  

Anyone with information should contact police via telephone number 101 quoting incident number 3903 of 11 November 2021. Alternatively calls can be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be maintained.

Fireworks: local Dispersal Zones to tackle antisocial behaviour

This year two Dispersal Zones are being set up in North West Edinburgh to combat antisocial behaviour and disorder over the bonfire period. The zones will be in operation between 2pm and midnight from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th November.

Under the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004, police have a Power of Dispersal within the designated zones authorised by Superintendent David Robertson.

This means that Police can instruct any people in groups of two or more who are congregating and behaving in an antisocial manner to disperse, and if they do not live there to leave the zones, and then not to return for up to 24 hours.

If they do return, they can be arrested.

Nine dispersal zones will be set up across the city in known ‘hot spots’. As well as West Pilton and Muirhouse, zones will be established in Portobello, Loganlea, Gilmerton, Moredun, Southhouse, Gorgie and Saughton.

News of the establishment of Dispersal Zones will come as no surprise to local residents – the real surprise is that these dispersal zones will be in place over one weekend only.

My Beach Your Beach makes a splash at Portobello

Litter down as summer campaign comes to a close

Snapshot litter surveys on Portobello Beach carried out by Keep Porty Tidy, as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s campaign My Beach Your Beach, show a decrease in litter this summer. 

A total of 64 items of litter were counted across 100m of the beach and prom at the end of the summer, versus 114 items on the same stretch at the start of the summer, and 293 items counted last year.

A combination of campaign activity, which encouraged beach goers to help care for the sand and sea, as well as the efforts of the growing Keep Porty Tidy group, which has been tackling litter head-on at the site are likely to have contributed to these results.

Funded by the Scottish Government and supported by SEPA, My Beach Your Beach has been running since 2018 to support bathing water quality improvements at a growing selection of Scottish beaches including Portobello, Fisherrow Sands and Kinghorn on the east coast of the country, and Ayr, Troon, Irvine and, this year’s addition, Saltocoats/Ardrossan on the west.

The campaign encourages beach stewardship and raises awareness of bad habits that can impact on the sand and sea. This includes leaving litter or dog poo on the beach, feeding and attracting gulls to the bathing water and blocking pipes by flushing ‘unflushables’ down the toilet or pouring fats, oils or greases down the drain.

The latest litter surveys highlight the importance of beach goers taking responsibility for their litter and using the bins provided, with 51% of litter (discounting cigarette stubs) coming from people eating and drinking on or near the beach.

Georgina Massouraki, Campaigns Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “It is very encouraging to see litter levels drop at Portobello beach this summer. These results show what can be achieved when everyone steps in to play a part.

“It has been great working in collaboration with the council and Keep Porty Tidy and seeing all the efforts that are being made locally to protect the sand and sea at this beautiful beach.

“We hope that everyone who enjoys Portobello is moved to support these efforts, never leaving litter for volunteers to clean up, stepping up and joining a beach clean, and also making sure they understand how their habits can impact on the quality of the beloved bathing waters we all share.”

With the summer bathing season over, My Beach Your Beach will continue to engage people near the campaign beaches through the winter months, particularly around indoor habits relating to pipes and drains in collaboration with local councils, businesses and schools. 

A new classroom resource has been rolled out to 18 secondary schools locally, with an introduction to bathing water quality focusing on the two Portobello bathing waters – Portobello Central and Portobello West. 

A writing assignment encouraging students to reflect on their favourite aspect of the beach and explain why that makes it worth protecting will be featured as part of the campaign going forward.

For more information visit:

https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/mybeachyourbeach