Category Archives: Commerce

76: Where There’s Muck, There’s Brass

Posted on February 18, 2011 by davidsberry

Despite still being Europe’s muckiest power station (5m tonnes of carbon p.a.) things have gone quiet around ScottishPower’s proposal to coin more millions for their Iberdrola masters by adapting the coal-fired station at Cockenzie into a CCGT (Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine) … Continue reading →

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77: Belters’ Pelters

Posted on February 17, 2011 by davidsberry

There is nothing wrong with exercising a good pair of lungs on behalf of other people; it’s at the heart of democracy and community. Any councillor worth their salt gets it tight on a regular basis, using the ear-drubbing to … Continue reading →

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The latest employment figures continue to show Scotland moving in the right direction through SNP commitment to creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and supporting training. The Government level was complemented by ELC’s budget, restricting internal job losses to empty posts, … Continue reading →

Posted on February 17, 2011 by davidsberry | Leave a comment

80 Days to Decide

Posted on February 14, 2011 by davidsberry

Plenty of time, then, in which to make up your mind. Perhaps a table of comparison between the two main contenders—Labour and SNP—at our local council level would help. After all, Labour had long experience running this county for thirty … Continue reading →

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84: The Coast Line

Posted on February 10, 2011 by davidsberry

Relevant though they may be, I am not going to bother you with details how Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SESTrans and various Train Operating Companies interact to organise rail services for East Lothian. Their committees meet out of public sight … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Transport | Tagged | 1 Comment

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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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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95: In His Own Write

Posted on January 30, 2011 by davidsberry

Interesting interview of my erstwhile opponent by Colin Donald in today’s Sunday Herald (http://www.heraldscotland.com:80/business/markets-economy/gray-s-blueprint-1.1082576), not least because of what he says about himself: “…one of the reasons we had not done as well as we would have hoped in 2007 was … Continue reading →

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