Fun fair (was: please can anyone solve a mystery for me?)

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 29 Mar 2007, 20:52

wangi wrote: Again the EN automatically tar everyone in Portobello with the same simplistic view and opinion.

Unfortunately I think the EN stories recently will have got the whole of Edinburgh tarring Portobello with the same brush.

The majority of people I have spoken to are excited about the fair...including me...and, yes, it's going to be noisy living next to it for a couple of weeks. But c'mon, it's only a couple of weeks, and it's adding some life to the place.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 29 Mar 2007, 21:05

Although the EN didn't mention it, the folk who were present at the CC meeting on Monday night voiced some concern about the suitability of the site considering the subsidence problems experienced in that area. Still you won't be worried about that, will you bearcub, when you are getting thrown about on the Big Bomber ...or will you ?

lizk · Post by **lizk** » 29 Mar 2007, 22:34

Met the crowds leaving funfair tonight. Mostly youths. The fair was closed early- they said someone had been stabbed. Some of these people were looking for a fight, and itching to get involved.

Does anyone know who we contact to express concerns of suitability of site etc. Spoke to an older neighbour who felt frightened at the crowds and the mood of the crowd. Police aware of situation, as a car and dog van race along high st and up brighton place

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 29 Mar 2007, 22:58

lizk wrote:Met the crowds leaving funfair tonight. Mostly youths. The fair was closed early- they said someone had been stabbed. Some of these people were looking for a fight, and itching to get involved.

That's really sad to read.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 29 Mar 2007, 23:23

Phoned Plug to see if (for once

) he knew what was up seeing as he lives opposite on the old power station site. He'd wondered why it had closed about 9ish.

He also said that the Foresters pub had introduced an over 21 only rule - for 2 weeks only because of the risk of underagers attracted to the vicinity by the fair.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 30 Mar 2007, 00:05

It's only licensed to 9.

magbagpuss · Post by **magbagpuss** » 30 Mar 2007, 05:55

like yourselves was surprized how early it had closed . was going to post a note but could not get on site , must say heard police cars all evening , no idea where they were going . Saw an amazing amount of teens though coming from town hall direction ,lots of families as well. We'll just need to see how it goes.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 30 Mar 2007, 08:13

seanie wrote:It's only licensed to 9.

Advertises being open 1-10 pm, though!

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 30 Mar 2007, 08:42

According to Epykitten the Horrible who was playing at Pitz last night there were several Police cars at the 'fair' last night and loads of youths fighting. He also witnessed fighting on the 26 on his way home from work - they all got off at Kings Road which would suggest they were on their way to the fair.

kings roader · Post by **kings roader** » 30 Mar 2007, 11:14

My wife and youngerst son (15), along with my wifes sister and her 3 kids attended the Grand opening of the funfair at the old Scottish power site last night. Apparently the atmosphere was very volatile with a number of skirmishes at the fair. My nephew was knocked over by youths barging past and when my sister in law remonstrated with the yobs she was subjected to a barage of threats and abuse.

On their way along porty high street they witnessed a gang fight right outside the police station with not a copper in sight. There was around 70 - 100 youths involved.

Cars were vandalised all over the place and a van was overturned in brighton place also. Youths were forcing their way onto the 21 bus outside little acorns to fight with other teenagers on the bus. It must have been terrifying for those elderly and not so old on the bus. The driver was powerless to stop this gang.

Do we really want all this nonsense and trouble on our doorstep ?

It now seems that any of us, regardless of age, are fair game for these thugs.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Mar 2007, 11:35

That sucks big time. Its like a curse on the neighbourhood.

Don't think BL Developments will have won many friends allowing it on the SP site.

(KR I am surprised that you have kids so old. the internet plays funy tricks, I had you as aged 24 or so.)

kings roader · Post by **kings roader** » 30 Mar 2007, 11:58

You have made my day. If you turn the numbers round you wont be too far away !

Just heard that there was a stabbing or attempted stabbing at the fair.

It really is terrible that all out gang warfare has hit Portobello.

I would honestly be worried about walking along the high street with all those yobs about. They would not have a second thought about attacking people of any age "for a laugh"

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 30 Mar 2007, 13:13

KR my son was attacked on Monday night "for a laugh".

Oh dear I'm going to be wrapping the Clangers in cotton wool and locking them in!
Clanger 4 went out along the road to some pals last night and I was glad he wasn't too nervous after Monday, I'm going to be sweating blood everytime he goes out just now any way without the thought of violence the fun fair is rumoured to be attracting.

As for fight outside the police station and no police, well it's because there is often no police in the station let alone a car to come deal with it. They don't seem to have the man(/woman)power If the poor souls were run off their feet on Monday night how are they going to cope with sudden influx of neds looking for trouble?

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 30 Mar 2007, 13:14

Poppy wrote:
seanie wrote:It's only licensed to 9.
Advertises being open 1-10 pm, though!

..........and the address is incorrect.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 30 Mar 2007, 13:16

No reports in the EN about last night, surprise!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 30 Mar 2007, 13:20

Why don't they have the funfair in the grounds outside Police Headquarters at Fettes?

I know this all sounds pretty bad but we musn't forget its this type of attraction that Porty is best known for. A lot of the issues will be caused as its a temporary facility.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 Mar 2007, 16:51

SoupDragon wrote:An aversion to facial hair, Bob? I'm sure Cleopas said the same!

That's because I was Cleopas silly.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 30 Mar 2007, 17:01

Bob Jefferson wrote:
SoupDragon wrote:An aversion to facial hair, Bob? I'm sure Cleopas said the same!
That's because I was Cleopas silly.

Bad Bob.

aileenandfearghal · Post by **aileenandfearghal** » 30 Mar 2007, 17:23

With all of these reports of youth violence we're really starting to question our decision to move here. We're currently living in a flat in Bath Street and have had a wee look at the houses in the area as a possibility for the future.

But now it's 12 year olds getting beaten up. Cars being broken into. Vans overturned. Gang warfare. Amusement employees severly beaten. Stabbings at the "funfair". People being beaten up in the High Street in broad daylight.

And all the while the huge police station bang in the centre of the area seems powerless to do anything about it. And the council allows a funfair to set up bang in the middle of porty, without even warning the residents. So, while we have this youth violence problem the council sets up a huge youth magnet.

Now, you can give me all of this "isolated incidents" and "it's a big city dontcha know", but I grew up in a reasonably sized city/town in Northern Ireland and porty seems much worse to me at the minute.

Think we'll be looking at more areas in the ESPC for our next move.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 30 Mar 2007, 18:32

aileenandfearghal wrote:Think we'll be looking at more areas in the ESPC for our next move.

Hope you have deep pockets then as houses round here are pricey enough. If you hanker after the leafy suburbs of Crammond and the genteel environs of Morningside you will get very little for your money, though you do get a better calibre of vandal according to my friends

Reality is that the funfair is temporary and some of the kids on Bath St who beat up the amusement park employees came from as far away as Haddington.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 30 Mar 2007, 19:04

Please A & F dont panic.

Yes I am outraged about my son and the other happenings but to be honest I'm sure much the same happens all over the city.
We're a vocal bunch on Talk Porty( and gossipy ) so everything is getting reported. You may not have known about half the stuff otherwise.
Is ignorance bliss?
We should take this knowledge and start complianing about low levels of police officers and other issues.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 30 Mar 2007, 19:11

Bob Jefferson wrote:
SoupDragon wrote:An aversion to facial hair, Bob? I'm sure Cleopas said the same!
That's because I was Cleopas silly.

Oh Bob, how could you?

I'd never have guessed

So can Cleopas come out to play and post some quizzes? I liked them

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 31 Mar 2007, 01:05

Cleopas's quizzes were clever but I could never work them out!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 31 Mar 2007, 09:41

a

aileenandfearghal wrote:With all of these reports of youth violence we're really starting to question our decision to move here. We're currently living in a flat in Bath Street and have had a wee look at the houses in the area as a possibility for the future.

But now it's 12 year olds getting beaten up. Cars being broken into. Vans overturned. Gang warfare. Amusement employees severly beaten. Stabbings at the "funfair". People being beaten up in the High Street in broad daylight.

And all the while the huge police station bang in the centre of the area seems powerless to do anything about it. And the council allows a funfair to set up bang in the middle of porty, without even warning the residents. So, while we have this youth violence problem the council sets up a huge youth magnet.

Now, you can give me all of this "isolated incidents" and "it's a big city dontcha know", but I grew up in a reasonably sized city/town in Northern Ireland and porty seems much worse to me at the minute.

Think we'll be looking at more areas in the ESPC for our next move.

Are you a Daily Mail reader by any chance?

aileenandfearghal · Post by **aileenandfearghal** » 31 Mar 2007, 12:04

Pal of Porty wrote:Are you a Daily Mail reader by any chance?

No. I wouldn't wipe my arse with it, never mind read it.

I just don't enjoy getting a kicking.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 31 Mar 2007, 15:42

aileenandfearghal wrote:
Pal of Porty wrote:Are you a Daily Mail reader by any chance?
No. I wouldn't wipe my *** with it, never mind read it.

I just don't enjoy getting a kicking.

That makes two of us on both counts!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 31 Mar 2007, 15:48

SoupDragon wrote: Is ignorance bliss?
.

Is bliss ignorance?

You make an excellent point about the spreading of news with Talkporty. And as is common with most Media bad news makes better telling. I am biased and hardly objective but Portobello is a great place to live.

aileenandfeargal live in probably the worst street in Porty, as it tends to be the focal point for trouble. Their stated intent to look at other areas of Edinburgh to live, is in my experience quite rare. It is much more common to hear people say that once they have tried porty they don't want to leave. Its a bit like Air Canada.

Bath Street is an enigma in a residential area. Up until quite recently you had a range of carry-out food establishments, amusement arcades, a working mans club, a former cinema thats now a bingo hall, another former cinema that is now levelled but used to be a furniture store, public toliets and Sotmid. Its not Ann Street, however flat prices there don;t seem to be hindered in any way whatsoever. This is not a seaside town that they forgot to shut down.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 31 Mar 2007, 15:54

aileenandfearghal wrote:
I just don't enjoy getting a kicking.

A word in your ear. It strikes me that posting that you would prefer to live somewhere other than the area that is loved by your fellow posters is perhaps not the best route to avoiding a kicking.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 31 Mar 2007, 16:33

aileenandfearghal wrote:Stabbings at the "funfair"..

Fortunately, this seems to be a case of Chinese whispers. I was chatting to our local community policeman earlier today and if there was a stabbing on Thursday night it certainly wasn't reported to the Police.

ps

From the top of the Big Wheel you get a Google Earth view of Portobello.

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 31 Mar 2007, 16:58

Marya wrote:
aileenandfearghal wrote:Stabbings at the "funfair"..
Fortunately, this seems to be a case of Chinese whispers. I was chatting to our local community policeman earlier today and if there was a stabbing on Thursday night it certainly wasn't reported to the Police.

ps

From the top of the Big Wheel you get a Google Earth view of Portobello.

I will definitely be taking your word for that Marya

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 31 Mar 2007, 17:02

Marya wrote: From the top of the Big Wheel you get a Google Earth view of Portobello.

What's the view like from the top of the Big Bomber, then??

(The Big Wheel looks spectacular from Willowbrae Road)

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 31 Mar 2007, 19:02

Just back from a few days abroad and amazed at what I am reading.

It now appears that at present a state of complete lawlessness exists in Portobello after dark. For youths to stage battles outside the Police station really epitomises the extent to which normal order has broken down.

Law and order will no doubt be one of the top election priorities of the Edinburgh East electorate and I'll be interested to hear the views of our candidates as we move into election season.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 31 Mar 2007, 20:37

Poppy wrote:What's the view like from the top of the Big Bomber, then??

that looks really scary - has anyone been on it? I felt sick watching it from the bus

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Apr 2007, 03:09

Jamesie wrote:Just back from a few days abroad and amazed at what I am reading.

It now appears that at present a state of complete lawlessness exists in Portobello after dark. For youths to stage battles outside the Police station really epitomises the extent to which normal order has broken down.

Normal order is alive and kicking here in Portobello.

Jamesie, you need to get a grip son. complete lawlessness? Do me a f***** favour.

Youv'e lived here half as long as I have. Apart from schoolboy stuff have you ever felt threatened? Have you ever felt anything other than the freedon to peramubulste, pontificate or posteurise? I seriously doubt it.
Get things in perspective. Its been years since anyone was murdered in Portobello, serious assaults are in single figures, reported rape is not exactly an every year occurence. I don't know what sort of utopia you desire but there's a fair chance that a pair of tickets can be won in next thursdays Daily Mail.

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 01 Apr 2007, 10:37

Well done Porty for the excellent and sensible response to Jamesie. I have got a fantastic view of the big wheel from my front garden and I will probably take a wander round the funfair tonight to soak up the ambience. Portobello is a seaside resort and for the next week we have a top class funfair to enjoy. Gangs of youths fighting and being neddish in Portobello? It's nothing new and it certainly will not keep me indoors hiding behind the sofa. It's springtime and youngsters of all species are posturing and claiming territory. It's also the school holidays and it's getting lighter at night so of course there are going to be more people around. I have lived in the centre of Portobello for 14 years now and I can honestly say that I have never felt threatened or intimidated here so I don't feel like panicing just yet.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Fun fair (was: please can anyone solve a mystery for me?)

funfair???

Re: funfair???

PORTOBELLO "FUN" FAIR