Category Archives: Community

Hall of Shame

Posted on July 19, 2011 by davidsberry

Research for my previous post (Oxter Award) exposed some pretty dubious council fauna in dark corners, especially in and around wur Dear Green Place. The broad range of accusations makes some form of ranking necessary and so I have awarded … Continue reading →

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Furth of Forth

Posted on July 15, 2011 by davidsberry

The other sea-boot dropped today as UK Transport Minister Philip Hammond re-thought draconian plans to cut 18 coastguard stations to 3. The revision restores both Stornoway and Lerwick to the roster, along with Aberdeen and has caused much relief and … Continue reading →

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Crueller Even Than the Sea

Posted on July 6, 2011 by davidsberry

I had been convinced that my second guide trip this season to the Isle of May would be cancelled today. The Met Office inshore forecast for Forth was Southeasterly force 5 or 6 wind, moderate to rough sea state, poor … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Transport | Tagged | 1 Comment

Christie Eleison IV

Posted on July 2, 2011 by davidsberry

In earlier segments of this huge topic I highlighted approaching problems in public services and suggested how the NHS half of expenditure might start addressing them. But pivotal across all public services are staff, whose engagement and motivation will be … Continue reading →

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Christie Eleison III

Posted on July 1, 2011 by davidsberry

Given that the NHS forms half of the £20bn-plus public sector in Scotland, it is disappointing that the Christie report makes only tangential reference to it, and then mostly to plead for better integration with social services. But, however much … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Can Passion & Politics Mix?

Posted on June 13, 2011 by davidsberry

Sad anorak that I am, I spent much of Saturday catching up on my politics, including seeing the June 9th debate in the Scottish Parliament—a Labour motion on Caring for our Elderly. There was a variety of speeches from across … Continue reading →

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Something Completely Different

Posted on June 10, 2011 by davidsberry

It’s a quirk that, when an actor, comedian or whoever from TV, film, etc becomes one of your favourites, you feel as if you know them, as if you could sit down over a coffee and put the world to … Continue reading →

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On Days Like These, Stay in Bed

Posted on June 4, 2011 by davidsberry

After the brilliant weather calm of the previous two days, I should have taken a hint from cloudier skies, ten-degree drop in temperature and blustering northeasterly, all sprung up overnight. After Saturday surgery, I wandered off down to the harbour … Continue reading →

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For Those in Peril

Posted on May 31, 2011 by davidsberry

This holiday weekend I spent time at my favourite haunt—North Berwick harbour. The 2011 season is well underway with fishing boats out, crowds milling around the SSC, the hatchery reopened, the new lobster shack on the North pier shifting lobster … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Environment | Tagged | 2 Comments