Groups in Portobello

Amenity Society

John Stewart Chair

Portobello Amenity Society started in 1979 as the Abercorn Amenity Association, which was formed by residents who lived round Abercorn Park. It was felt that areas of special architectural merit in Portobello needed safeguarding from unwelcome or imappropriate development. The group soon started campaigning to protect other areas of Portobello and expanded to become the Portobello Amenity Society in 1981.

The Society welcomes anyone who lives, works, or has an interest in Portobello to attend meetings and participate in its activities. The Society concerns itself with the whole of Portobello, from Kings Road to Eastfield and from the shoreline to Asda. It aims to stimulate public interest in and care for the beauty, history and character of Portobello. For example, the Society distributed the Council's Town Scheme Grant leaflets to all businesses and offices on Portobello High Street a few years ago and recently distributed copies of the revised leaflet to all of the houses between the High Street and the Promenade.

It also works to improve general amenity and to promote high standards of architecture and town planning in proposed developments.

In 1999 and 2000 the Society helped the Planning Department to produce the Portobello Conservation Area Character Appraisal, against which all new developments in the Portobello area should be measured. This hopefully will give the Conservation Area greater protection from unsuitable developments. All planning applications for the Portobello and Milton areas are monitored by the Society and responded to if necessary.

The Society has over 250 members, both households and local businesses. It has planted trees, shrubs and bulbs each year throughout Portobello and maintained a series of hanging baskets on the lampstandards in the High Street.

The Society has published a Heritage Trail Guide to Portobello which has sold over 4,000 copies and is available in many local shops.

In a joint project with the Portobello Community Council, the Society has erected a series of information boards along the sea front. These cover a wide range of topics, from birds, the natural history of the beach and the geology of Joppa Rocks to Portobello Pottery, the history of Portobello as a seaside resort and two horizon boards.

A series of historical building plaques has been erected to commemorate Portobello's first two town halls,

(now the Baptist Church and the Police Station ); Hugh Miller, geologist; David Laing, historian and antiquary; William Speirs Bruce, artic explorer; Russell Flint, artist - all of whom lived in Portobello/Joppa at some time.

The Society has meetings once a month, and an AGM in May/June. Members of the public are welcome to all meetings. For further details, please phone John Stewart, 0131 669 6466. The Society is also represented on Portobello Community Council..

Amnesty International (Portobello Group)

David Turner

The Group works at a local level (East Edinburgh) to express Amnesty International.s aims of promoting human rights worldwide, freedom for prisoners of conscience, fair trials for political prisoners, an end to torture, extra judicial killings, .disappearances. and the death penalty.

Activities in 2004 included supporting the Campaign to End Violence Against Women, the Control Arms million faces, which is trying to get a million people worldwide to join the movement to get proper control of what happens to small weapons and ammunition, involvement in the campaign to stamp out capital punishment and in particular execution of children, and the promotion of respect for refugees and asylum seekers - using street stalls, talks in schools and greeting card-writing to publicise these campaigns. Letter writing to MP.s, MSP.s, MEP.s and Government figures, and to leaders of many states, particularly those with poor human rights records, is carried out as a collective activity, but there is a wider number of associated individuals who back up the writing programme. Human rights education is now included in the curriculum in many schools, Portobello High School being one such example. As with all Amnesty groups, fundraising is a feature of the work, the annual contribution being related to the size of the group.

Opportunities are there for those who wish to participate in regional and national gatherings and the Amnesty International (UK) AGM. The Group meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30 pm in Old Parish Church Hall, Bellfield St. A warm welcome is given to enquirers and visitors at these meetings, which are interesting and educative, while always geared to the aims of Amnesty International.

website: http://www.amnesty.org.uk

Badminton Club

Old Parish Church, Bellfield Street

The club operates from the first Thursday in October to the last one in April at the church hall on Thursdays at 7.30pm. New members of a reasonable standard are always welcome, of all ages, both male and female. Anyone interested in joining should just go along.

Basketball Club

Portobello High School

Trevor Lodge Secretary

High there.

Did you know that Portobello is a hotbed for basketball in Scotland? The biggest and most successful basketball club in Scotland, City of Edinburgh Basketball Club, is based in Portobello.

Playing out of Portobello High School, with 14 National and Local League teams offering top quality coaching and playing opportunities for all ages and all abilities. Over 160 members, with over 40 Scottish internationalists. The vast majoriy of our membership is from the Portobello area. Several of our senior players coach basketball in local primary schools.

Sunday Hoops for 8 to 12 year olds from 10am until 12noon Sundays at Portobello High School.

National and Local league training take place on Monday to Friday evenings also at Portobello High School.

website: http://www.cityofedinburghbasketballclub.co.uk

email: info@cityofedinburghbasketballclub.co.uk

telephone: 0131 657 9622

Beaver Scouts

Please see Scouts listing below.

Big Things on the Beach

Maggie Le May c/o Portobello Community Centre Adelphi Grove EH15 1AP

website: http://www.bigthingsonthebeach.org.uk

email: enquiries@bigthingsonthebeach.org.uk

telephone: 0131 669 8275

Boys Brigade (25th Edinburgh)

Alasdair Pinkerton

Brightons and Rosefield Residents' Association

Diana Cairns Chairperson

Brightons and Rosefield Residents Association was formed in 1978 in response to the proposed plans to build Harry Lauder Way, the Portobello by-pass. This main road adjoins properties in East and West Brighton Crescents and the south end of Brighton Place. Ironically, this coincided with the Brightons being designated as a B-listed outstanding conservation area.

The Association was able to put pressure on the then Lothian Regional Council to safeguard these properties against excessive structural damage during construction of the by-pass. It also negotiated compensation for any damage that ensued.

Since that time, there has been no other major development impacting on the area. However, the Association has been active in improving Brighton and Rosefield Parks and assertively lobbied for traffic calming measures in Rosefield Avenue.

BRRA seeks to protect and enhance the area in which we live by representing the residents in discussions with the City of Edinburgh Council and other authorities. Individual residents can use the Association to make their views known on issues that affect the area, for example, traffic problems, bus routes, planning applications etc. Franny Wraith currently represents us on Portobello Community Council and Peter Wraith on Portobello Amenity Society.

So, how often does the Association meet? We have an Annual General Meeting usually in late November or early December to which every resident is invited. Other meetings are organised on an ad hoc basis as the issues arise. We hold occasional social events and the summer barbecue, held in one of the parks, has been a great success. This provides a wonderful opportunity for people to meet other local residents.

The source of our funds is simply what we collect from our own residents. We receive no financial support from outside agencies. During the summer we collect an annual subscription, currently £1, from each household in the area.

We seek ideas for amenities in our area that we could support by our own fund raising efforts as well as pressing the Council to make sufficient funds available to their departments to maintain the environment to a high standard. For example, we might consider additional trees or planting for the parks but please come forward with any ideas of your own.

The geographical area covered by the Association encompasses Brighton Place, East and West Brighton Crescents, Lee Crescent, Sandford Gardens and Rosefield Avenue, Street and Place. All residents in these streets are eligible to fully take part in the Association's activities.

Brunstane Bowling Club

Clubhouse off Brunstane Road

The club is tucked a way in a quiet cul-de-sac off Brunstane Road (turn right after the bridge if going towards Milton Rd). It is a progressive open club with a mixed membership of around 140 and new members of all ages are always welcome. Bowls and shoes can be provided for those who just want to give it a go. The season runs from April to September, with social events throughout the year. The club is fully licensed and offers social membership for those who wish to use the facilities without playing bowls. Call the clubhouse, or call in, for more information or to arrange an informal visit.

telephone: 0131 657 4417

Burns Club

Mr W Thomson

The club has been in existence since 1892 and is a member of the Federation of Burns Clubs. A Burns Supper is held every year on the nearest Friday to January 25.

email: billthomson@euphony.net

Café Ba!

St Philip.s Church Brunstane Road North

Cathy Rilley

Café Ba! is run on a voluntary basis by the Portobello Parenting Network. It provides an opportunity for expectant and current parents, their children and those who support the family to meet over tea/coffee/juice and muffins, fruit and biscuits.

Support for breast-feeding mums in a friendly, relaxed, supportive atmosphere.

Mondays from 1 - 4 pm.

email: HV.s70639@lothian.scot.nhs

telephone: 0131 657 8924

Community Centre Association

Gillian Dunn

We have in the region of 25 groups using the Centre, ranging from art classes through Arriba Weightloss Challenge to karate and tai chi. One of our recent and most successful activities is the drama group for kids, who performed at the 2010 Edinburgh Festival Fringe to high acclaim and packed houses. Building on this we are starting a group for teenagers and later on for adults, using our new theatre facility partly funded by lottery money.

For the full range of activities, please visit our web site.

website: http://www.portobellocc.org.uk

email: admin@portobellocc.org.uk

telephone: 669 8275

Council of Churches

Michael Rames

Craigentinny Garden Allotment Association

Graham Parnell

The Association celebrated its 80th Anniversary in March 2003. Over recent years the allotment site at Telferton (off Portobello Road) has been threatened by housing development, but is currently still intact.

email: gwparnell@yahoo.co.uk

Cub Scouts

Please see listing for Scouts below.

East Edinburgh Constituency Labour Party

54 Portobello High Street EH15 1DA

Edinburgh Life Saving Club

Portobello Swim Centre

Paul Forsyth Club Trainer Assessor

The club trains at Portobello Swim Centre on Thursday nights at 8 pm. It offers club members and non-members various courses in life saving and life support (adult/child/baby resuscitation and first aid techniques)

website: http://www.edinburghlifesavingclub.com

email: conan7867@hotmail.com

telephone: 0131 669 2788

Explorer Scouts

Please see listing for Scouts below.

Girls Brigade (7th Edinburgh)

Cath Foster

Golf Club

Ground Breakers Holiday Club

Old Parish Church Bellfield Street

Nell Graham or Linda Bradley

A fun club aimed at primary aged children or those about to start P1.

Lots of fun, games, activities, craft, music and stories.

July 10th - 14th (2nd week of the holidays), 10am - 12 noon.

email: lewhyte2000@yahoo.co.uk

telephone: 669 4351 or 657 4573

Jessfield Bowling Club

Rosefield Avenue, next to Portobello Library

Jessfield Bowling Club has been in existence for over 100 years. There are currently 112 senior members who pay a very reasonable £40 p.a. and a junior section of 22 local 8 to13-year-olds who receive coaching on Tuesdays. The club was put on the bowling map in August 2002 when member John Robertson won a Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in the Triple Bowls for players with a disability. OPENING HOURS AND MEMBERSHIP Hours of play are 1pm-4.30pm and 6-9pm, Monday to Friday, and by arrangement on Saturday and Sunday. Although a full club, members of the public are very welcome to play at £2 per game.

Joppa Tennis Courts

Marjorie Shepherd

The club was donated to the people of Joppa and Portobello in 1915. The club is now very popular and has over 50 family memberships. We want to keep the club for the Community. TENNIS FOR EVERYONE Over the last three years we have had Open Days, Coaching sessions and Competitions, which have all been well attended and usually finished off with a BBQ. OPENING HOURS AND MEMBERSHIP The courts are open to non-members during the school holidays when we employ a Supervisor. Members can play at any time but children MUST be supervised. To apply for an application form contact Marjorie Shepherd (treasurer)

email: marjieshepherd@hotmail.co.uk

Link In

3/4 65 Niddrie Mains Terrace

Morag Worden Team Leader

Link In is a community mental health service covering Bingham, Magdalene, Newcraighall, Niddrie, Greendykes ,Prestonfield and Portobello.

We are here to help anyone living in the above areas, who is experiencing mental health problems and will work with individuals aged 16 years old and over, including those over 65 years old.

If you are at all worried about your mental health - get in touch. You don't have to be in a crisis and you won't be wasting our time.

We have a team of professional workers who are able to respond to a broad range of mental health problems. We aim to offer a service, which is responsive to both practical and emotional needs. That means we also provide advice / assistance with benefits, debts and housing issues.

Service Categories

1 to 1 support : Support in own home

1 to 1 support : Support Work

Other : Other Service

We can refer clients to other appropriate services within their local area.

Office Hours

Monday - Thursday 9:00am-4:30pm Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

Service Hours

Monday - Thursday 9:00am-4:30pm Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

email: link-in@hotmail.co.uk

telephone: 0131 661 1240

Melville Music Hall Company

This company has been presenting its Old Time Music Hall show to audiences in around Edinburgh for nearly 40years. Originally formed as a theatre company in Portobello Old Parish Church, they soon found their metier in music hall and have gone from strength to strength. Sadly, the founder Mr Sandy Smith died recently but, under the direction of Morna Fergusson, the company continues to present a polished 'Good Old Days' type performance in a range of beautiful costumes, with lots of audience participation. If you are trying to raise funds or would like to enjoy a good evening's entertainment in your own premises, please e-mail for more information.

email: fergusson@blueyonder.co.uk

Music Society (Recorded)

St James Church Hall, Rosefield Place

Blanche Cormack, Honorary Secretary

The club meets on Sunday evenings at 7.30pm from October to December and February to Easter. A wide range of musical tastes is catered for - orchestral, opera, piano, musicals, and programmes are presented by members or guests. No one needs to be knowledgeable or an expert to enjoy an evening.s listening in congenial company, so why not go along for a sample? Further details are available from the Hon. Secretary.

NEECAG/Portobello Older People's Forum

Baptist Church hall 189 Portobello High Street

Anne Munro

NEECAG stands for North East Edinburgh Care Action Group and has a sister group in Leith. It also includes the Forum. The Portobello group meet in the Baptist Church hall on the last Tuesday of the month at 3pm.

A small management committee arrange speakers for the group on topics of interest i.e. healthy living, transport, heating support, pensions and benefits. The group is for men and women who tend to be over-50s; carers are also welcome to attend. No Membership cost - 30p/50p towards tea and coffee.

email: annemunro@btconnect.com

Pedal Porty

Portobello Transition Town office 90 Portobello High Street

We are a Portobello-based community organization. Formed in 2005, we are a limited company on our way to being a charity. We are working to create a vibrant sustainable Portobello which can help combat climate change by reducing fossil fuel use through re-localising.

website: http://pedal-porty.org.uk/

email: info@pedal-porty.org.uk

telephone: 669 0124

PFANS (Portobello For a New School)

PFANS successfully campaigned for a new high school in Portobello and continues to monitor the planning and building process, looking forward to the completion of the building for the benefit of the whole community.

website: http://www.facebook.com/new.phs.park

POD (Portobello Open Door)

Joe Madden

POD is a community partnership working towards the promotion and development of culture and the arts in Portobello.

The partnership aims to involve the talents and interests of local people. We would like to produce events, classes and social opportunities, drawing from all aspects of culture using such forms as art, theatre, music, writing, dance to name a few.

POD was formed in May 2003 after like-minded people got together to explore bringing the acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the local area.

We want to give a platform and profile to the many creative and talented people who stay in the area and to work towards exploring the possibilities for action - environmental, cultural, campaigning and social - that will lead to the development of our local community. We want to explore the ways in which we can all work together, using our creative skills and stimulated by creativity.

Portobello has a true feeling of community. We feel it should be cherished and developed and that the area needs to be improved and given a higher profile. POD will aim, in the future, to develop local programmes that are relevant, creative and transformative. POD aims to be complementary to current activities in the area and aims to appeal to all sections of the community.

website: http://www.the-pod.org

email: info@the-pod.org

Portobello Bowling Club

Lee Crescent

Charles Bain Secretary

Bowling since 1872.

website: http://www.portobellobc.co.uk

email: secretary@portobellobc.co.uk

Portobello Community Council

Baptist Church Hall, 185 Portobello High Street

John Stewart Chairman

Meetings are held on the final Monday of each month, except July and December, at 7.30pm. Visitors are always welcome. Check the PCC web pages for minutes and more information.

email: johnmacgregorstewart@talktalk.net

Portobello (East Junction) Allotment Holders Association

Portobello FP Rugby Club

Cavalry Park Duddingston Road West

Barry Sinclair Secretary

Portobello FP RFC was reformed in 1954 and enjoyed fixtures against the elite of the established "circuit". Portobello tried for many years to climb out of the old Edinburgh District League achieving that in the 1970s climbing through Divisions 7 to 2 in successive seasons.

Training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30pm at Cavalry Park playing field adjacent to Holyrood High School and Duddingston Golf Club - if you want to play just come along to training.

Portobello Hornets is the youth section of Portobello Rugby Club. We meet on a Sunday, usually around 12.30pm. We offer Rugby Union coaching with SRU qualified coaches to boys and girls from Primary 3 to Primary 7.

We play contact rugby with regular games involving other rugby clubs and we also coach boys from 1 year to 3 year and we play in a league.

We go to Murrayfield to cheer on Scotland and we work closely with our local Primary School Development officer.

"Why not come along and "Give Rugby a try?"

website: http://www.portyrugby.com

email: barry@portyrugby.com

telephone: 0131 661 4554

Portobello Heritage Trust

21 Joppa Road, EH15 2HA

Archie Foley Administrative Secretary

Portobello Heritage Trust was registered in November 2009 as a company limited by guarantee with the following aims:

The Trust's aims include all of Portobello's historical, architectural and landscape heritage. The Trust is also a registered charity: Scottish Charity No. SC042138

Individual Membership of the trust is open to anyone anywhere who shares our aims and wants to help to conserve and promote the heritage of Portobello. Likewise, Associate Membership is available to organisations including corporate bodies.

In 2011 the trust produced a guide to the rich architectural heritage of Portobello: Portobello Architecture Heritage Trail.

email: alfoley21@sky.com

Portobello Library Book Group

Portobello Library 14 Rosefield Avenue Edinburgh EH15 1AU

Joyce Campbell Library officer

Friendly, Informal group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm, in the upstairs Community Room at the Library. Details of the next month's book to read are on display in the library. Phone for details - or just come along to the next meeting.

email: portobello.library@edinburgh.gov.uk

telephone: 0131 529 5559/5560

Portobello Monday Centre

Baptist Church Hall, 185 Portobello High Street

Nell Graham Covener

The Centre is organised by the Portobello Churches and run by trained volunteers who provide a social focus and lunch for those with mild or moderate dementia, and a period of vital relief for their carers. Transport is provided. For more information call 657 4264 on Mondays only.

telephone: 657 4264 (Mons)

Portobello Older People's Project

Baptist Church Hall, 185 Portobello High Street

Volunteer transport takes the frail elderly and housebound to and from weekly meetings, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Lunch is provided, and games, talks, reminiscence sessions and trips out are organised. The Project is run by a professional supervisor and volunteers. For more information call 657 4264 on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Portobello Reporter

Brenda Molony Editor

THE PORTOBELLO REPORTER is a community newspaper that keeps the residents of Portobello and district informed of local events not covered elsewhere - social, political, economic and historical. First issued in June 1980, it is now a well-established quarterly, published at the beginning of March, June, September and December, by a small group of volunteers; it is designed in-house, printed by Scottish County Press, and distributed free to 12,300 homes, schools and businesses in the area by Premier Delivery, a local company. The paper is non-profit making and is registered at Companies House as a Company Limited by Guarantee. It is funded entirely by advertising by local businesses and is therefore editorially independent, with no bias towards any political, governmental or religious organisations. Contributions from local individuals and groups are vital to the production of the paper, and anyone with a story to tell, or information that may be of interest to the community should email the Reporter. Photographs are also welcome, colour or b/w, print or digital, provided they are of suitable quality for reproduction, especially old photos for the Local History page; all prints will be returned. Advertising and other enquiries can also be made to the paper's email address.

email: portyreporter@btinternet.com

Portobello Toddlers Hut

28 Beach Lane

Karen Wilson

The Portobello Toddlers Hut was first established in 1929. It is a fully registered childcare provider, and a member of the Scottish Pre-school Play Association. A committee, formed yearly by parents and carers, works in conjunction with the playleaders, Karen and Fiona, to manage all aspects of the Playgroup. The main purpose of the Portobello Toddlers Hut Playgroup is to provide a safe environment for young children to play with each other. The children are recognised to be individuals as well as part of the group. By providing different kinds of activities and experiences we aim to encourage different types of development. * Physical Development - Opportunity to play and move freely * Emotional Development - Being separated from carer, making friends, sharing * Intellectual Development - Puzzles, construction, co-ordination and investigative toys * Social Development - Sharing, pretend play, making friends, learning how to relate to other children and adults * Language Development - Talking with other children and adults, stories, songs and rhymes * Creative Development - Arts and crafts, drawing and painting with various materials Children will be given the opportunity to learn and develop at their own rate in a stimulating environment that is free from prejudice and discrimination. For more information please telephone 0131 669 6849

PPAG (Portobello Park Action Group)

Portobello Park Action Group is a Community Action Group formed by people who enjoy Portobello Park and Golf Course for sporting and recreational purposes and who object to the council's proposal to build a new Portobello High School on the Park.

website: http://www.portygreenkeepers.org.uk/

Quakers in Portobello

Old Parish Church, Bellfield Street

David Turner

A Quaker Meeting for Worship is held on the first Sunday of each month at 7.30pm. All are welcome. Enquiries to David Turner, or to Alastair Cameron on 669 5129.

Rotary Club of Portobello

Meetings held on Wednesday evenings at 6pm at the Kings Manor Hotel on Milton Road East, Portobello. For more information please visit our website.

website: http://www.portobellorotary.com

email: webmaster@portobellorotary.com

Royal British Legion Scotland (Portobello Branch)

The Memorial Club of the Portobello Branch first opened in 1951 in Tower St (now Figgate St) in an Adam style house once owned by the Rankin family. Due to its popularity, in 1968 the club moved to larger premises at Clifton House in Baileyfield Road. Sadly, these premises closed in 2010, due to financial losses and not as much use being made of the Club in recent years. The War Memorial has been removed to safe-keeping. The Club is still active, however. Members now meet in the Beach Lane Social Club, but hope to find suitable new premises. Membership is open to anyone who has served in HM Forces, Merchant Navy, Territorial Army and Reserves, and there is limited Associate membership. To join the club, or for more information, call in at Beach Lane Social Club on Sunday or Monday evening or visit the website given above .

website: www.rblsportobello.co.uk

Running Club

Jim Scott Chair

Portobello Running Club is located in the east of Edinburgh where the city meets the Firth of Forth in the old seaside resort of Portobello. A majority of our runners live in in the local area or Edinburgh city centre, but others live as far afield as Haddington, Penicuik and Balerno. The club has a wide mix of ages and abilities and is split fifty-fifty between male and female. Our Wednesday night training sessions generally last around an hour and anyone interested in joining the club should be able to run for this length of time at a steady jogging pace. Portobello runners compete regularly in long distance, hill and cross country races all over Scotland and beyond. Each year in June the club organises a four-mile road race under SA rules and a children.s fun run along the promenade, raising money for local charities.

website: http://www.portobellorunners.org.uk

email: portobellorunners@tiscali.co.uk

Salvation Army

Christine Allen, Corps Major

The Portobello Corps is based at 40a Bath Street and is led by Major Christine Allen. Its programme of activities, which are open to all, is as follows: Sunday Praise and Worship, 4pm. Monday Lunches (for OAPs), 12noon. Keep Fit, 1.30pm. Ladies Fellowship, 2pm. Tuesday Parent and Toddler Group, 1.45-3.45pm. Wednesday Lunches, 12noon. Over 60s Fellowship, 1.30pm. Thursday Parent and Toddler Group, 10am-12noon. Saturday 1st Saturday in each month . Afternoon Tea and Sale, 2-4pm.

Scottish Co-Operative Women's Guild

Labour Rooms, 54 Portobello High Street

Scottish Country Dance Club

United Reformed Church Hall, Marlborough Street

Portobello Scottish Country Dance Club was established in 1952 and met in the Inchview Ballroom in Tower Street until the ballroom was demolished in 1978. They now meet in the United Reformed Church Hall in Marlborough Street every Thursday from 7.30 to 9.30pm, and always dance to live music. This is a small friendly club that would make new members very welcome. Anyone wishing to join should go along to a meeting and speak to the Secretary.

Scottish Women's Rural Institute

Portobello Centre, Adelphi Grove

The SWRI is part of a worldwide organisation started some 75 years ago in Canada by the wives of farmers, with the main aim of receiving instruction in various household crafts. The WRI in most countries, however, has now diversified from these early activities.

The Portobello Branch meetings, held from 2-4pm on the third Tuesday of each month at Portobello Community Centre in Adelphi Grove, include speakers on current and local affairs, demonstrations, musical afternoons and film classics.

There are just under 60 members and anyone wishing to join them will be made most welcome if they go along to a meeting.

telephone: 0131 669 8275

Scouts

Ernie Moran, District Commissioner

The Scout Association is a voluntary organisation catering for young people aged 6 - 25, guided by adult leadership encouraging self reliance and development of personal skills. There are a number of sections in the Portobello area at St Margaret.s Church, St James Church, New Restalrig Church and Parson s Green School,Duddingston School, St Johns School, Royal High Primary School and St Christopher.s Church Craigentinny. Age ranges are:

Beaver Scouts 6 - 8 Cub Scouts 8-10.5 Scouts 10.5 - 14 Explorer scouts 14-18 Scout Network 18 - 25

website: www.edinburgh-scout.org.uk

email: info@edinburgh-scout.org.uk

telephone: 0131 229 3756

Solidarity Lothians East

Portobello Community Centre 3 Adelphi Grove

Ian Hood Secretary

Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7pm.

telephone: 07866176960

St James Junior Church

St James Parish Church Rosefield Place

Junior Church covers ages 3-15, there is a creche for the Under 3s. There are three groups, the first for age 3 to P2 features a variety of activities and play. The second for children in P3 through to P7 with various activities including drama, art music and crafts. The Breakfast Club is for children of secondary school age and meets on the stage in the large hall. It features music, chat and the Ultimate Adventure.

website: http://www.stjamesparishchurch.org.uk

email: mailbox@stjamesparishchurch.org.uk

St Philips Toddler Group

St Philips Church Hall Brunstane Road, Joppa

Debbie Smith

We meet every Friday morning during term time from 9.45 to 11.15. We have a large play area for toddlers, a separate baby corner, and an area for carers to sit and enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit. St Philips Toddler Group has been running for 25 years, and is a great place for children to meet and play, and for grown-ups to meet other parents and carers. Come along and meet us!

email: paulajwilliams@blueyonder.co.uk

telephone: 0131 669 1794

Sunshine Club

The Sunshine Club is a dance and social club for people of all ages who may be on their own and find themselves at a loose end, in need of company, or who want to dance the afternoon away. Dancing is not compulsory, however; watching and chatting are just fine! The club, which has been running for 26 years, meets in St James Parish Church Hall, Rosefield Place from 1.30-3.30 on Tuesday afternoons. Refreshments are also served and the atmosphere is very friendly and informal. All newcomers are made very welcome and anyone wishing to join in should just come along and introduce themself.

Swimming Club (amateur)

Mr W Laidlaw

The club has been in existence since 1912 and holds training sessions with club coach Bill Laidlaw at Portobello Swim Centre on the Promenade on Mondays and Fridays from 8-9.30pm. Junior coaching sessions with coach Jack Snowdon are held at Portobello High School on Mondays from 7-9pm and Wednesdays from 7-8pm. Anyone wishing to join must be able to swim, and must first attend the coaching sessions and be able to swim 25 metres in the main pool. A bi-annual competition is held with the Morpeth club, and the juniors take part in inter-club competitions

website: http://www.swimportobello.com

email: blaidlaw@laidlaww.freeserve.co.uk

Water Polo Club

Portobello Swim Centre Promenade

Nielson Rutherford

website: http://www.swimportobello.com

Woodcraft Folk (children's club)

St. James Church Hall Rosefield Place

Rachel Harrison or Kathleen Bolt

The Woodcraft Folk is an educational movement for children and young people, designed to develop self-confidence and activity in society with the aim of building a world based on equality, friendship, peace and co-operation.

We have two groups running in Portobello at present, the Elfins and the Pioneers. Elfins are for children aged 5 to 9 years and Pioneers from 10 to 13 years. We aim to promote the involvement of parents and volunteers in fun and educational activities with young people. We encourage children to care for their environment, resolve conflict without violence and build cooperation. Our weekly programme includes games, singing, arts and crafts as well as issue based activities. We also have an active outdoor programme. At both Group and District level there are opportunities during the year to have weekends away either hostelling or camping

Both groups meet from 6.15pm to 7.30pm on a Friday evening throughout school term time, and we are based at St. James Church Halls in Rosefield Place, Portobello. We presently have children attending from schools around Portobello, Wiillowbrae, Duddingston and Leith. Other Edinburgh groups meet in Bruntsfield and Wester Hailes. The cost is £1 per session, or £10 per term.

We have produced a starter pack for those interested in finding out more about Woodcraft or who have recently joined our group. For more information, or a starter pack please contact Rachel Harrison, Pioneers on 669 8966 or Kathleen Bolt, Elfins on 657 2265. Ask for a programme and come along to a session and pick up more information at the same time.

email: rachelharrison@onetel.com

telephone: 669 8966 - 657 2265

Youth Club (12s-16s)

Portobello Community Centre, Adelphi Grove

email: admin@portobellocc.org.uk

telephone: 0131 661 7463