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

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 01 Apr 2007, 11:12

Hear Hear.

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 01 Apr 2007, 11:14

Porty wrote: Normal order is alive and kicking here in Portobello.

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

In the past twenty four hours I have heard a plethora of accounts of various events which in my life I have never heard of occurring in Portobello in the past. But it appears that those of us who take issue with this are these days immediately branded as Daily Mail reading sensationalists. Maybe it is time for heads to come out of the sand a little?

Porty wrote: 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.

You make a reasonably valid point here, in that since my return to Porty I have had very little personal difficulty in terms of threats and personal pain, aside from car theft. But it would be selfish and foolhardy to look at this on an individual perspective.

I'm thinking of people like the Scotmid security guard who found himself under siege on Friday night with hordes of intimidating youngsters threatening to visit violence upon him and his store.

I'm thinking of the man who was very nearly knocked down on Portobello High Street on Thursday night by a car full of heid-bangers. And another man who found himself hit across the head by three teenagers for no other crime than walking along Portobello High Street after dark.

I'm thinking of rapunzell, of this very parish, who found herself with a brick in her front room only a fortnight ago.

I'm thinking of kings roader, whose family found themselves under threat while doing nothing other than attending the fun fair.

I'm thinking of SoupDragon, whose son has been less fortunate than me in his formative years in getting a doing for committing the heinous crime of walking around Porty after dark.

I'm thinking of Portobello's publicans, who were calling round amongst themselves to shut their doors on Friday evening at around 10pm due to the events happening on the street.

To name only a few incidents which have happened in Portobello over the last few months. Things HAVE changed here, and changed for the worse. The quicker people realise that and notice the occasional posters who are coming onto this forum more frequently, albeit only to report incidents of woe, the better.

Porty wrote: 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.

You are referring to extremes to attempt to justify your position. In terms
of any of crimes you quote you will probably find very low incidences of any of those wrongs in Edinburgh. We're fortunate that on a comparative scale we live in a relatively safe city. And until recently Porty was on the whole as safe as could be.

Relativity means nothing to those who I have mentioned above though, and have seen Porty change in the past wee while. Cars being tipped over in Portobello? Have you EVER seen this happen here before?

Porty wrote: 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.

And we're again back to the chronic Daily Mail reference which is so frequent on this board of late. For the record, I read the Scotsman and always have done.

I don't desire to live in any "utopia". What I do desire is to ensure that the town I grew up in does not continue to suffer the same lawlessness that we have seen over the past fortnight, in particular the last seventy two hours.

I use the term lawlessness carefully. When gangs of youths are willing to fight outside the Police station I'm sure any town needs to question what is going on.[/b]

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Apr 2007, 13:21

That's a pretty good response Jamesie, respect.

aileenandfearghal · Post by **aileenandfearghal** » 01 Apr 2007, 18:28

An excellent post Jamsie. I think you communicated sentiments I share a lot better than I managed. I'm particularly impressed with the way you've dealt with the Daily Mail comments. That accusation irritated me but I wasn't able to reply to it as well as you have.

We are happy with our move to porty - especially as we have somehow not acutally witnessed any of these incidents (maybe cos we're living way up in the clouds). But listening to these reports we're concerned, and we're just not so sure that this is the place for us to raise kids anymore, should we choose to have them

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Apr 2007, 21:39

Jamesie wrote:
Porty wrote: 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.
You are referring to extremes to attempt to justify your position. In terms
of any of crimes you quote you will probably find very low incidences of any of those wrongs in Edinburgh.

Your wrong about this Jamesie. I was illustrating some crimes that would occur much more frequently if there was a state of "complete lawlessness" as you claimed.

As a slight aside, I attend the CC meetiings most months and there has been no discernible upward trend in any type of incidences in the last 18 months or so. Except for a spate of car damaging a while back.

Meanwhile I'm still trying to get my heid round a&f's desire to bring up their prospective children in a different area based on nothing that they have actually witnessed just what they have heard. My brother won the lottery last week and another porty guy won a while ago. Does that make porty a really lucky place?

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » 01 Apr 2007, 21:55

Porty said:

Meanwhile I'm still trying to get my heid round a&f's desire to bring up their prospective children in a different area based on nothing that they have actually witnessed just what they have heard.

I can't imagine why you think it is any of your business why A & F should justify where they would or would not like to bring up any children they may have in the future? I also don't understand why you think it is necessary for them to base such decisions on whether or not they have actually witnessed any crime. Very odd. They are perfectly entitled, as am I, to look at the evidence and make a decision based upon this.

You seem to have a very biased view of Porty where everything is fine and dandy. Those of us who have witnessed such crime would probably beg to differ.

Gizmo

Post by **wangi** » 01 Apr 2007, 22:02

Gizmo wrote:I also don't understand why you think it is necessary for them to base such decisions on whether or not they have actually witnessed any crime. Very odd. They are perfectly entitled, as am I, to look at the evidence and make a decision based upon this.

Ahha, but make sure you're actually using evidence, rather than unsubstantiated gossip.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 01 Apr 2007, 23:03

Witnessed some but still not moving.
We've lived in portobello 27 years now, my mum was brought up here.
I tend to think the incidents are cyclic

I remember the beach fights in the early 80s, the running battles that erupted from the nightclub in the High St etc etc.
A pub and the nightclub were closed due to local opposition.

My mum used to live in the east neuk of Fife.
She thought it a lovely quiet place but there were still teenage rivalries with other villages resulting in fights, a pub where a rather well known footballer got into bother, rumours of drugs etc.. depending on who said what and where you heard the gossip

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 01 Apr 2007, 23:27

Gizmo wrote:
I can't imagine why you think it is any of your business why A & F should justify where they would or would not like to bring up any children they may have in the future?

Try to imagine an internet noticeboard where views and opinions are posted. Then try to imagine another registered user responding to those views. Its easy if you try.

Gizmo wrote:I also don't understand why you think it is necessary for them to base such decisions on whether or not they have actually witnessed any crime. Very odd. They are perfectly entitled, as am I, to look at the evidence and make a decision based upon this.

You seem to have a very biased view of Porty where everything is fine and dandy. Those of us who have witnessed such crime would probably beg to differ.

Gizmo

I always think evidence is better than gossip as a basis for decision taking. My evidence for the case of child nurture in Portobello is based on child nurture not on crime incidents. Call me Mr Parent in fact call me Very Odd.

The evidence goes a bit like this: Myself, PoP, Tom Nimmo, Marya, Bellybabe, Dadaist,and many others have all brought up or are bringing up children here in Portobello. I know many of these "children" and in common with the 3 of my own who have lived their entire lives in Portobello you would struggle to meet more balanced, happy and sorted people.You can call it a biased view but it is also a fact. I took several kick-ins growing up here, my son has been beaten up, my daughter has been bullied. Yet if you asked them they would all agree they have had a fantastic childhood here in Porty. It is important the concerned prospective parents like A&F are made aware.

You could also take into consideration that Jamesie, the author of the fine post, was brought up in Portobello and is also a fine young man. I would rather illustrate the benefits of a porty upbringing using the example of Jamesie and my own childern. I suppose I could have got postal code crime records and chosen an area that way. That type of thinking would get the kids off to a great start.

Jamesie's list of recent misdemeanours makes unpleasant reading, i don't doubt for a minute that much of its true. However, there is nothing new or unique on that list. I am not in any kind of denial about Porty these types of things have always gone on indeed much, much worse.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 Apr 2007, 10:28

My daughter is currently 10 years old and attends Towerbank.

For the last 2 years, twice a week, she has left school at 4.45pm and walks round to where I work on Portobello High Street. I do not give her a mobile phone. This route takes in Bath Street. We then walk home together.

For the last few months on a Friday afternoon, my daughter and 2 or 3 of her friends take advantage of the early finish and buy their own lunch on the High Street. They then walk home to the house that is ‘hosting’ them that afternoon. The walks vary in length from ‘just up the road’ to ‘all the way to Eastfield’.

I feel totally comfortable in allowing my daughter to do this. She will never be ‘streetwise’ if she is never allowed on a street. (Yes I know it is 5.00pm and not 10.00pm but you have to start somewhere).

I do not intend this post to deny, oppose or denigrate any of the really bad things that have been listed above, I know these things have gone on, go on and will continue to go on. I am just trying to put them into some sort of context as my daughter's current experience is very similar to my experience of growing up in Portobello 40 years ago (except we never had money for lunch!).

aileenandfearghal · Post by **aileenandfearghal** » 02 Apr 2007, 13:47

Porty wrote:Meanwhile I'm still trying to get my heid round a&f's desire to bring up their prospective children in a different area based on nothing that they have actually witnessed just what they have heard.

I'm not saying that at all. I'm just discussing our concerns in the context of the various dicussions taking place on this board at present. So no need for your heid to stretch too far.

In the spirit of a forum I'm sharing our thoughts and concerns on what has been discussed on the forum. So no need to panic on our behalf. If/when we come to moving house we will indeed take all of the facts into consideration.

Thanks for your concern though porty

tom nimmo · Post by **tom nimmo** » 02 Apr 2007, 13:57

Here's a wee tale which you might find reassuring. On Sunday night me, the wife and the dug were out for a stroll on the prom when we stopped to talk to a young family who wanted to clap the dug. They are Americans who are currently living in Fairmilehead but are looking for a house to buy in Portobello to be near the sea, and because they have heard so many good things about living here. We had a nice chat about schools, parks, shops and the people who we know who enjoy living here. We explained that the funfair was only here for a week and that it has brought some 'undesirables' into the area but, in the main, Portobello was a safe and nice area to live in. They were not fazed at all by the neds and agreed that it was just one of the things you have to put up with if you live in an urban area (or anywhere in Britain). This is a lovely young family who want to move here because it is what it is and the positive aspects of Portobello life far outnumber the negative aspects. Let's hope they make it.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Apr 2007, 13:59

In response to A&F, Nimmo nipped in unexpectedly.

No bother at all.

Another thing to bear in mind; we have two excellent primary schools and an excellent secondary school here in Porty.

If things go to plan, one primary school will undergo a mutil-million pound refurbishment and the other two schools will be completley rebuilt as state of the art educational facilities. There's more likely to be an influx of people looking for a good education.

The temporary fun fair is exactly what it says on the tin. by the time your twinkles arrive that land will be built on and the new schhols may be here. Its up to you now.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 02 Apr 2007, 14:04

Oh! They're going to rebuild the schools?
Why did nobody mention it!?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Apr 2007, 14:08

tom nimmo wrote:Here's a wee tale which you might find reassuring. On Sunday night me, the wife and the dug were out for a stroll on the prom when we stopped to talk to a young family who wanted to clap the dug. They are Americans who are currently living in Fairmilehead but are looking for a house to buy in Portobello to be near the sea, and because they have heard so many good things about living here. We had a nice chat about schools, parks, shops and the people who we know who enjoy living here. We explained that the funfair was only here for a week and that it has brought some 'undesirables' into the area but, in the main, Portobello was a safe and nice area to live in. They were not fazed at all by the neds and agreed that it was just one of the things you have to put up with if you live in an urban area (or anywhere in Britain). This is a lovely young family who want to move here because it is what it is and the positive aspects of Portobello life far outnumber the negative aspects. Let's hope they make it.

Nice story and not unusual. Another consideratin is the fun fair will bring a lot of fun to many porty kids whilst it is here. These kids will likely not be hanging around after dark.

My god its loud tho. I was playing Tennis at Abercorn last night, which is way up on Willowbrae Road. We could make out every word the annouuncer was saying and the music beat invaded the relative tranquiity.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Apr 2007, 14:17

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.

Au contraire, If it was Chinese whispers,as you claim,then there's more than a fair chance that the Police simply didn't understand what was being reported. It is very difficult to interpret Chinese even when spoken at normal volume.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 02 Apr 2007, 15:07

What was it like when there was a funfair here full-time (admittedly much smaller and I assume only over the summer months!)?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 02 Apr 2007, 15:45

There were issues with kids and gangs. I never felt particulalry safe and instinctively kept away at nights. Don't think my parents warned me not to go I just sort of knew. There were a lot of "suspects" that used to hang around, I recall getting propositioned (although i never knew that's what it was a the time) by an old guy in the amusements who watched as I lost the money I had. I'd chosen to gamble the money for sweets after being at the baths. He offered me 2s and 6d. I ran home like the wind.

So in summation, I went for swim, had a bit of a gamble and then was offered monety for sex. Not a bad place to live in some ways.

When the Mcd's fair comes to the city centre over the festive period is there lots of bother?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 02 Apr 2007, 15:56

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

It must seem like a really terrible place to you at the moment

. However, I've lived here my whole life as have my husband and extended family and none of us has ever had a kicking - far less enjoyed it

. I think Soupy is right - everything bad about Portobello is condensed here on this forum and so it seems much, much worse. I agree though, we could do with a Police station that works.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 02 Apr 2007, 16:06

Poppy wrote:What was it like when there was a funfair here full-time (admittedly much smaller and I assume only over the summer months!)?

It was just part of everyday life really! Like Porty I instinctively kept away from the shows and avoided any trouble. The only time we ever went to the slot machines was when my gambling aunty came from Dundee

. I was never offered money for sex or gambling although I remember once my two pals and I had to hold hands with a crowd of Mormons and be saved on the Prom

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 02 Apr 2007, 16:22

I worked at the permanent fun fair in Porty for two consecutive summers when I was at school. The first summer I was on a stall where you shot the dummy's teeth. The following year I graduated to the Dodge-ems where you earned much more money and looked cool!

I remember my parents not being too keen on me working the 'Glasgow Trades' fortnight as in those days many people used to come through and holiday in Porty. I did work the fortnight however and nothing happened. It used to amaze me how anyone would even try, given how 'hard' my fellow colleagues were - it felt like an SAS protection zone.

Despite this, people still wanted to try and most trouble started over short change or 'territory' disputes. Some evenings there was trouble afoot as fun fairs seem to attract people that like to have a bit of a fight and strut their stuff in a 'try me' sort of way. Personally speaking, once it got to a certain time of night you just did not bother going near the place. A bit like not choosing to go and drink in a pub that is famous for beating people up - you just go elsewhere!

The problem with the current fun fair is that it is only here for a very short period of time so everyone is coming at once.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 02 Apr 2007, 23:02

I can see the top of the big wheel and the big bomber from my window and when they are all lit up they look really pretty

.....and scary

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 02 Apr 2007, 23:19

Sandra wrote:I can see the top of the big wheel and the big bomber from my window and when they are all lit up they look really pretty .....and scary

I'm still planning a trip up high on that wheel with my camera, but maybe not during heaving Easter weekend crowds..

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 03 Apr 2007, 12:24

Epykat wrote:
It was just part of everyday life really! Like Porty I instinctively kept away from the shows and avoided any trouble.

Like me did you also instinctively keep away from the raft that was moored in the deep end at the OAP? It was as much of a magnet for trouble as the shows were.

There were also neighbourhood gangs. Magdalene and the Christians had rival gangs, whose main focus appeared to be trying to steal each others' bonfire wood and there were running battles. Porty had the YPR, Piershill had a gang. Leith had a team and so on.

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 03 Apr 2007, 21:16

Like anywhere

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 03 Apr 2007, 23:13

Sandra wrote:I can see the top of the big wheel and the big bomber from my window and when they are all lit up they look really pretty .....and scary

A bit like Grangemouth at night!!!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 03 Apr 2007, 23:18

Grangemouth is brighter at night than it is during the day.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 03 Apr 2007, 23:33

Sandra wrote:I can see the top of the big wheel and the big bomber from my window and when they are all lit up they look really pretty .....and scary

Oooh! What's the Big B like all lit up at full throttle??!!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 04 Apr 2007, 00:23

I saw an advert for the fair on TV tonight; think it was shown across the country. What are the chances of international visitors flocking to Porty just for a go on the now famous wheel..?

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 04 Apr 2007, 07:54

Porty wrote:Grangemouth is brighter at night than it is during the day.

I should know, Mr TG worked there for over ten years and he still glows in bed at night

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 05 Apr 2007, 17:39

Porty wrote:
Epykat wrote:
It was just part of everyday life really! Like Porty I instinctively kept away from the shows and avoided any trouble.
Like me did you also instinctively keep away from the raft that was moored in the deep end at the OAP? It was as much of a magnet for trouble as the shows were.

I instinctively kept away from the water! In my book if you braved that you must have been well hard enough to sit on the raft

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 05 Apr 2007, 21:00

I never like the OAP it was too crowded and the water was too cold

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 05 Apr 2007, 21:02

Black Mamba wrote:I never like the OAP it was too crowded and the water was too cold

I don't think I ever got further up than my ankles because it was always so cold

.

Izzie · Post by **Izzie** » 05 Apr 2007, 21:06

I loved the OAP I spent most of my time there at the shallow end sunbathing but we didn't spend much time in the water it was to cold for us girls

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 05 Apr 2007, 21:43

I mostly remember shivering at the side til the waves came on.
Then whoa ho everyone rushed in.

Was never brave enough to jump off the high dive,