Author Archives: davidsberry

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About davidsberry

Local ex-councillor, tour guide and database designer. Keen on wildlife, history, boats and music. Retired in 2017.

85: Flat Budget

Posted on February 9, 2011 by davidsberry

The Flat Earth Society lives. I use them as examples of denying-the-bleeding-obvious. But at East Lothian Council’s meeting to set a ‘flat’ (£210m) budget, our other-worldly Labour opposition deserved a prize—if not a world record—for cognitive dissonance. After Leader Paul … Continue reading →

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86: Parliamo Politico I

Posted on February 8, 2011 by davidsberry

Let’s Talk Pencil-Pusher: Lesson I—Bob the Builder (First of a series, translating bureaucrat-speak into what it really means for the folk in East Lothian) Ever since Mrs T handbagged councils into selling off homes, our crisis in affordable housing has … Continue reading →

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87: Schadenfreude

Posted on February 7, 2011 by davidsberry

After a lifetime paying attention to politics and over 17 years activism on behalf of my home town/county/country, I may be de-sensitised to what lengths the Labour party will go to rubbish any opposition. But years of close observation of … Continue reading →

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88: Beef Haddington

Posted on February 6, 2011 by davidsberry

I am delicate after an evening’s hospitality from East Lothian branch of the National Farmers’ Union. Though blowing a hoolie outside, the 150-strong annual dinner inside the Maitlandfield roared with cameraderie. And, since members apparently lead double lives as prop forwards, … Continue reading →

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89: Ane Dreich Blaw

Posted on February 5, 2011 by davidsberry

For two days now, Scotland has been thrashed by an Atlantic storm, familiar to all those who have spent any time here. Some simply draw the curtains, make another pot of tea and dream of distant, sun-drenched holidays. That is … Continue reading →

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90 Days to Decide

Posted on February 4, 2011 by davidsberry

Given the gravity of world events—emotive clashes in Tahrir Square; 5bn tonnes of CO2 exhaled by parched Amazon forests; double-devastation to half of Queensland, as well as the deepest world recession in a generation—it’s perhaps no wonder few know or … Continue reading →

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91: Time to Defect…

Posted on February 3, 2011 by davidsberry

…to the Federation of Small Businesses? A staunch member of the SNP for 35 years, I’ve never endorsed another’s manifesto. But I find the FSB’s booklet laced with a sense that would lead us out of this economic fankle faster … Continue reading →

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92: Omni-Bus

Posted on February 2, 2011 by davidsberry

At Hallhill in Dunbar last night a working group gathered to follow up a lively public meeting on Jan 28th that vented frustration with FirstBus. Chaired by Peter Armstrong of Spott, the group agreed a constitution for Rural East Lothian Bus … Continue reading →

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93: Bellweather

Posted on February 1, 2011 by davidsberry

Two hundred years ago, during the Napoleonic Wars, people had little—no cars, electricity, social work, NHS, trains, TV, benefits…not even a police force. What trade there was went by sailing ship or canal barge. But engineering was a lively part … Continue reading →

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94: Brian Was Right

Posted on January 31, 2011 by davidsberry
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