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.

Christie Eleison I

Posted on June 29, 2011 by davidsberry

Like it or not, the debate on Public Services is being shaken up today by the publication of the Christie Commission on Future Delivery of Public Services. Having been wrestling with this particular Hydra for the last four years, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment, Politics, Transport | 1 Comment

Some Canna Thole It

Posted on June 28, 2011 by davidsberry

The 49 in 50 of Scots who don’t live on an island give the other 1 little thought, as they seldom visit, preferring Lanzarote sun or Ibiza fun, and finding the long journey and inevitable ferry crossing off-putting. Of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Tagged | 2 Comments

Atkins Diet for Trams?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by davidsberry

I was going to try to content myself with a quick tweet at the emperor’s-clothes insanity about to be laid before Edinburgh City Council next week, anent a writhing can of pythons (possibly Monty but this has gone far beyond … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Transport | Tagged | Leave a comment

Stock Car Racing with an Elise

Posted on June 22, 2011 by davidsberry

“I want to send a clear message across Defence: reckless spending stops here.” Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox MP, June 14th 2011. Shows you how little he knows of his brief. The MoD announced today (June 22nd) that it has now … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Let Them Eat Baklava

Posted on June 21, 2011 by davidsberry

While I make no pretence of being an international financier, much less someone able to predict the actions of foreign governments that operate in another alphabet, my gut now says George Papandreou’s jaikit is on a shoogly nail. Despite cramming … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Youth Employment Advice

Posted on June 21, 2011 by davidsberry
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Logic, But Not As We Know It

Posted on June 20, 2011 by davidsberry

Star Trek’s Spock was never shy in pointing out illogical decisions made by his erratically human Captain Kirk. But one of the disadvantages of union with England is that we Scots have to thole their batty quirkiness when it comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Hammer Ding-Dong Is the Song

Posted on June 18, 2011 by davidsberry

…of (Inver)clyde. Just back from a coast-to-coast day trip to chip in at the Inverclyde by-election. Caused by the untimely death in his forties of Labour MP and ex-priest David Cairns (who changed the rules so an ex-priest could even be … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

Even Closer Than I Thought

Posted on June 18, 2011 by davidsberry

No sooner had I fired off the preceding EGIP post than I’m off to the station where I find one of two Class 380 trains already in service on the line since the 15th. Definitely a class act, these Siemens-built … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport | Tagged | Leave a comment

EGIP: Closer Than You Think

Posted on June 16, 2011 by davidsberry

No, this is not a message from the Cairo Tourist Board but shorthand for what must be the most no-brainer transport project in Scotland. Whereas five miles of M74 cost us £675m and 0 miles of Edinburgh tram cost us … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport | Tagged | 4 Comments