Category Archives: Community

Calling All Pedants

Posted on September 15, 2015 by davidsberry

John Cleese has been able to make me laugh in a huge variety of circumstances ever since my uni studies were regularly interrupted to join a flatful of mates to fall about to Monty Python. Ever wry, if not acid, … Continue reading →

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Local Tax Overhaul Overdue

Posted on June 18, 2015 by davidsberry

After some serious consideration almost eight years ago, the Scottish Government has swept the whole concept of handing democratic control to localities through local taxation (as opposed to the regressive Council Tax) onto the back burner indefinitely. While a minority … Continue reading →

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They Also Serve

Posted on May 17, 2015 by davidsberry

Unless there’s a scandal involved, like yesterday’s Hootsmon front page story of Edinburgh officials on the take, you don’t hear much about councils. There were council elections all over England on the same Thursday as the General Election  but they … Continue reading →

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Respect Unzipped

Posted on March 23, 2015 by davidsberry

Yet another thoughtful blog from BurdzEyeView—in this case entitled “Nae man can tether time nor tide” demands consideration and, in this case, response. The piece welcomes the initiative of a motion in the name of the party NEC to the SNP … Continue reading →

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Biggest in the World

Posted on February 20, 2015 by davidsberry

Living as I do in the wonderful seaside environment of North Berwick, you can get banal about its wonders—not least the Bass Rock. Empty as it is of its gannet residents just now, the sheer wonder of their teeming presence … Continue reading →

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Operation Puffin Update

Posted on January 14, 2015 by davidsberry

I have reported on the terrific work that 100+ volunteers have done on the Forth Islands to protect the indigenous puffin population from being crowded out of house and home by an invasive plant. What follows is the latest report … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Environment | Tagged | 1 Comment

Home from School

Posted on December 7, 2014 by davidsberry

I may need to sit down, take a powder or do something radical: it seems I agree with Jim Murphy—something that has real rarity value. Now, unlike many Labour timeservers, Jim is not someone I dismiss. He packs an impressive … Continue reading →

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Market, not Manure

Posted on December 5, 2014 by davidsberry

“The most beautiful, if not the most romantic village in Scotland” is how Sir Walter Scott described the town of Kelso. Indeed, a visit there is always a pleasure; the town is a friendly streetscape of historic building gathered around … Continue reading →

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Sauce for the Gander

Posted on October 27, 2014 by davidsberry

Since the referendum, the NO campaign have exuded “well, that’s settled”, based on their 10%-margin win. But actually, they have been keeping their heads down because debate around any agreed devolution settlement—such as the Smith Commission is expected to come … Continue reading →

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The Best Means of Defence…

Posted on September 21, 2014 by davidsberry

…is to go on the attack. Positive Yes advocates all scunnered by result? Unionists looking like they may waver of last-minute promises? Ordinary folk appalled by right-wing hoodlums making a battlefield out of peaceful George Square? Don’t get mad; get … Continue reading →

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