Author Archives: davidsberry

Unknown's avatar

About davidsberry

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

The ‘Lords’ Prayer

Posted on November 23, 2013 by davidsberry

—may those who take the Jubilee Line to St John’s Wood meet the Test. OK, so it’s two months late for National Poetry Day (Oct 4th) whose theme for 2013 was supposed to be ‘water’. But the poem below popped … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport | Tagged | Leave a comment

On Top of the World

Posted on November 22, 2013 by davidsberry

At lunchtime, on my way in to EL Council offices in Haddington the skive inspiration hit me and veered me off the A6137 at West Garleton to puff my way up Byers Hill and the 133 steps to the top … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Tagged | 2 Comments

“Planning Scotland’s Seas” Consultation

Posted on November 19, 2013 by davidsberry

(Submitted as a personal response to the consultation: would be interested to hear any other comments that were made in response to http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-consultation) Background My comments are confined to the territorial waters element Southeast Marine Region (Between Montrose and Berwick … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Tagged | Leave a comment

It’s Official: I’ve Become My Dad

Posted on November 18, 2013 by davidsberry

It may have been a long time coming but what brought me epiphany was 4-5 days of solitude. While I really enjoyed this last summer, it is over and, despite pleasant weather, autumn is clearly hurtling winterwards. Although it doesn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Tagged | Leave a comment

Changing of the Parliamentary guard

Posted on November 17, 2013 by davidsberry

Originally posted on A Burdz Eye View:
2013 has, in many ways, been a transition year. It’s not over yet, of course, but November always seems like a good point at which to pause and reflect, before the hurly burly…

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Big Brother in George Street

Posted on November 7, 2013 by davidsberry

The Accounts Commission does a fine job. Given that local councils are run by (no offence intended as I’m one myself) a bunch of amateur councillors, as a result of the way they are selected, it is self-evident that some … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Urban Sproil

Posted on November 4, 2013 by davidsberry

The meeting of East Lothian Council ten days ago was so taken up with arguing over Fenton Barns plan-breaking housing and roasting the divisional Chief Super over the sheer incompetence of Police Scotland when it came to behaving like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Community | Tagged | Leave a comment

Man, You’re Welcome; Now Go Home

Posted on October 31, 2013 by davidsberry

One of Scotland’s many blessings is its international reputation, built on many varied and dazzling things but not least on the warmth and welcome of its people. As Billy Wolfe, one-time SNP Leader and inveterate champion of Scotland and its … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Education | Tagged | Leave a comment

If Britain is So ‘Great’…

Posted on October 30, 2013 by davidsberry

…how come it rates only 30th in Education in the 2013 Legatum Profile of 140 countries? Top of the class is New Zealand that has 14.5 (vs UK’s 17.5) pupils per teacher, 3.1 (1.5) secondary and 1.5 (0.7) tertiary education … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Black Market Cab

Posted on October 28, 2013 by davidsberry

Those of us keen to see Scotland become a normal country are often fast off the mark when it comes to resenting advantages the South-East of England takes to itself (and hangs grimly on to). So it is with pleasant … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Transport | Tagged | Leave a comment