Life is hectic. Elections mean no spare moment and a new baby means extra domestic demands - an unsquareable circle. I shall undoubtedly meet myself coming back.
I have been busy this week composing election leaflets - it is a tiresome business collating photographs, facts and text and no matter how one tries it is difficult to make an election leaflet an eyecatching 'must read.' I am impressed by the response to the first distribution which demonstrates that more people than I imagine actually read the information. Only 1 negative comment and many people coming forward just to let me know they had received it. I am encouraged. To read the opinion polls one would be forgiven for believing the election result was a foregone conclusion. I beg to differ.
One issue really catching attention is the future of Meadowbank Stadium. I know Donald and Ewan are working hard to find a solution which is now within grasp - it remains to be seen whether it will be acceptable to the public.
On Tuesday evening I was invited to attend a farewell dinner at Telford College for the chair of the Board who is standing down after a long period in office. It was a pleasant, low key affair held in the college's restaurant. The meal was entirely prepared and served by students who took a well deserved bow at the end of the evening. Everyone there was rightly proud of the college's new home - it really is state of the art. I shared a table with one of Edinburgh's top kitchen designers whom I knew from a previous life. He is a member of the Board and recently sold his business to move on to do other things. I asked him how kitchen design had changed since we last met and he entertained us with stories of fabulous kitchens equipped to the most advanced standards that no-one ever actually cooked in. I choked on my chicken starter when he said they could cost anything between £80 - 100,000. The cost of a small flat...for a kitchen...the world is still very unevenly divided.
On Sunday I attended St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral as a guest to share celebrations of the second anniversary of Pope Benedict's election as Pope. It was an important occasion and one in which Sir Tom plainly had a big hand. He looked very well. Recently returned from holiday, tanned and fit but with a sore throat, he was called on to read two lessons. For a man with considerable and important influence in many spheres of Scottish society his ego is safely parked. His wife is similarly level headed and has a sincere charm I find disarming. I have met many people who would kill for a quarter of their combined influence and who could never achieve the Farmers' dignity or composure. I teased him that his sore throat was more to do with the Hibernian victory the previous week than the infection he held responsible.
The Ambassador to the Holy See was in attendance. Francis is a completely talented, warm man and has the enormous distinction of being the first RC from Belfast to be the top British government representative in the Holy City. We had dinner at his official residency on a previous visit to Rome where I enjoyed an uninhibitedly challenging conversation with another of his guests (whose name I cannot now recall) who, as head of the Irish College in Rome had played host to Mr Blair some months earlier. Intelligence comes in many guises and I always enjoy meeting and talking with really intelligent people. There is always the unexpected to learn. I think it was Conan Doyle who wrote that the talented always recognise genius but the mediocre only ever recognise mediocrity.
The one thing that strikes me as I read this before publishing is how lucky I am to have had the chance to speak to all these individuals - all highly talented in their own field - and that's in only one week.
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Babies and getting old
The new boy is named. After two false starts he is finally to be known as Charlie. I cannot tell if it will suit him. He is a fine boy though with big hands and feet. A boxer or a hillwalker or perhaps both. Only time will tell.
Following the Hibernian victory on Sunday life has been testing. My family has quite failed to resist the urge to gloat nor have my PEP workmates. Green and white is the colour code and I have been forced to bear a rash of electronic screensavers and ringtones which play 'When I wake up, then I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man that gets up next to you' or some such drivel. It will be unendurable if a second cup comes back to Leith in May.
Better news for my mother though. Tests have shown nothing more sinister than the effects of time (quite bad enough) and she will have to learn some forbearance. Patience and Betty is an oxymoron but I shall watch and learn - if I am lucky enough to live as long as she, I believe I will demonstrate similar impatience and cussedness - I will make my children pay for currently tormenting me. Perhaps I could sing Hearts songs all day...
Work lately has been dominated by PEP - it is a busy time - rapidly expanding yet simultaneously consolidating: my staff members are terrific as are the Board members: it coincides with elections which makes time management challenging. The brain is a remarkable instrument - the more I demand of it, the better it seems to work. I wish I could be as confident about other aspects of my body...
Tonight I attended a public meeting about the 32 bus: perhaps 30 people there - a quiet, low key affair. The outcome is more consultation and hopefully a change of heart in connection with the route. Tina Woolnough was in the audience. She spoke well even if she takes a populist approach. She can get away with some astonishingly naive statements because her sincerity shines through. I admire her guts even if I do not agree with much she says.
Following the Hibernian victory on Sunday life has been testing. My family has quite failed to resist the urge to gloat nor have my PEP workmates. Green and white is the colour code and I have been forced to bear a rash of electronic screensavers and ringtones which play 'When I wake up, then I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man that gets up next to you' or some such drivel. It will be unendurable if a second cup comes back to Leith in May.
Better news for my mother though. Tests have shown nothing more sinister than the effects of time (quite bad enough) and she will have to learn some forbearance. Patience and Betty is an oxymoron but I shall watch and learn - if I am lucky enough to live as long as she, I believe I will demonstrate similar impatience and cussedness - I will make my children pay for currently tormenting me. Perhaps I could sing Hearts songs all day...
Work lately has been dominated by PEP - it is a busy time - rapidly expanding yet simultaneously consolidating: my staff members are terrific as are the Board members: it coincides with elections which makes time management challenging. The brain is a remarkable instrument - the more I demand of it, the better it seems to work. I wish I could be as confident about other aspects of my body...
Tonight I attended a public meeting about the 32 bus: perhaps 30 people there - a quiet, low key affair. The outcome is more consultation and hopefully a change of heart in connection with the route. Tina Woolnough was in the audience. She spoke well even if she takes a populist approach. She can get away with some astonishingly naive statements because her sincerity shines through. I admire her guts even if I do not agree with much she says.
Thursday, 15 March 2007
New babies, nights out and Trident
It's been a week since I last wrote and a lot has happened. A new boy is born and I learn from 3 friends they have each lost a loved one - the cycle of life and death is remorseless. The one is not balanced by the other...each is a unique circumstance as individual as the life to be celebrated either recently gone or just arrived.
Today I should have traveled to Paris to participate in a series of events surrounding the rugby international. My husband was to carry the national flag on to the pitch at Stade de France and he looked forward to the event enormously - however the delayed birth of his second grandson intervened to spoil our plans. He will enjoy the boy with no name (my daughter and her husband are notoriously dilatory at such decisions) equally.
I have enjoyed my four days looking after Hollie and Santino who are aged two and three but it has been the hardest labour. I love the story telling though. Between them they have the equivalent of a small persons library: Dinosaurus Rumpus: Room on the Broom: Spot's Day Out - they didn't write them like that in my day. I had also forgotten how obsessed very little people are with bodily functions - endless trips to the toilet and always amazement and mirth at the results.
Last night was the farewell dinner for Paddy Tomkins. I found myself seated beside Malcolm Dickson now number 2 to Paddy at HM Constabulary. I have known Malcolm for several years and we once famously spent a Saturday evening in the back of a police vehicle touring the streets of Edinburgh to permit board members a police view of Saturday night city chaos...not a person to be seen: more police than public: not a drunk, a fight, a brawl - NOTHING. It wasn't raining so they couldn't blame the weather; it was a Saturday during the Festival and we ended up at the castle watching the Tattoo with the on duty officers. Malcolm was despondent...and I was amused. Last night was amusing too. Apart from being responsible for one of the dullest Saturdays I ever spent, Malcolm also has the distinction of being the only man who ever stood me up for dinner. I had made special arrangements for him to sit next to Ian Rankin for whom he had expressed admiration - we waited and waited and waited but Malcolm did not appear. The next day I received a very apologetic phone call explaining 'I forgot'. I imagine it was the law officer in him that forbade even the social lie - again it made me laugh. I lost no time poking fun last night which he took with good grace.
Yesterday I passed many demonstrations against Trident...outside the parliament: at the Mound: in the High Street. The Capital felt like a centre for political agitation even if each demo seemed a muted affair. I sympathise with the sentiment. Nobody could demonstrate in favour of nuclear weapons. I admire Nigel's decision to vote against the Government but I cannot agree with it. It is not sensible to seem vulnerable before an enemy - politics proves to me beyond any doubt that the appearance of weakness is the moment the wolves pounce. Instinctively, all reasonable people want peace. But wanting it and keeping it require two very different responses.
Today I should have traveled to Paris to participate in a series of events surrounding the rugby international. My husband was to carry the national flag on to the pitch at Stade de France and he looked forward to the event enormously - however the delayed birth of his second grandson intervened to spoil our plans. He will enjoy the boy with no name (my daughter and her husband are notoriously dilatory at such decisions) equally.
I have enjoyed my four days looking after Hollie and Santino who are aged two and three but it has been the hardest labour. I love the story telling though. Between them they have the equivalent of a small persons library: Dinosaurus Rumpus: Room on the Broom: Spot's Day Out - they didn't write them like that in my day. I had also forgotten how obsessed very little people are with bodily functions - endless trips to the toilet and always amazement and mirth at the results.
Last night was the farewell dinner for Paddy Tomkins. I found myself seated beside Malcolm Dickson now number 2 to Paddy at HM Constabulary. I have known Malcolm for several years and we once famously spent a Saturday evening in the back of a police vehicle touring the streets of Edinburgh to permit board members a police view of Saturday night city chaos...not a person to be seen: more police than public: not a drunk, a fight, a brawl - NOTHING. It wasn't raining so they couldn't blame the weather; it was a Saturday during the Festival and we ended up at the castle watching the Tattoo with the on duty officers. Malcolm was despondent...and I was amused. Last night was amusing too. Apart from being responsible for one of the dullest Saturdays I ever spent, Malcolm also has the distinction of being the only man who ever stood me up for dinner. I had made special arrangements for him to sit next to Ian Rankin for whom he had expressed admiration - we waited and waited and waited but Malcolm did not appear. The next day I received a very apologetic phone call explaining 'I forgot'. I imagine it was the law officer in him that forbade even the social lie - again it made me laugh. I lost no time poking fun last night which he took with good grace.
Yesterday I passed many demonstrations against Trident...outside the parliament: at the Mound: in the High Street. The Capital felt like a centre for political agitation even if each demo seemed a muted affair. I sympathise with the sentiment. Nobody could demonstrate in favour of nuclear weapons. I admire Nigel's decision to vote against the Government but I cannot agree with it. It is not sensible to seem vulnerable before an enemy - politics proves to me beyond any doubt that the appearance of weakness is the moment the wolves pounce. Instinctively, all reasonable people want peace. But wanting it and keeping it require two very different responses.
Thursday, 8 March 2007
14 hour days
Still no baby - not going to mention it again till there's something to say!
It's been a busy week: 4 fourteen hour days: it's hard going. Monday night Pilton Partnership Board: Tuesday night Labour Group: Wednesday a trade union event and the local community centre management committee and tonight panel member for Common Purpose. Add in a really hectic agenda at PEP, an election and everything that's going on in the family plus a full council meeting and it's no wonder I feel this week has disappeared.
Highlights have been:
Put it altogether and it's not been a bad week at all: now I'm looking forward to the weekend!
It's been a busy week: 4 fourteen hour days: it's hard going. Monday night Pilton Partnership Board: Tuesday night Labour Group: Wednesday a trade union event and the local community centre management committee and tonight panel member for Common Purpose. Add in a really hectic agenda at PEP, an election and everything that's going on in the family plus a full council meeting and it's no wonder I feel this week has disappeared.
Highlights have been:
- Trishna working with the Neighbourhood Group to prepare an authentic Indian curry which they all helped with and enjoyed. It was a good way to address cultural differences, to encourage the Group to see beyond the colour of her skin and to get to know her as a person. A great success, I think
- Progress at long last with the replacement community centre in Royston: soon the plans will be out for public display and a guarantee that building works commence in October 07 and finish October 08
- An important discussion with a trade union rep about a local matter I intend to pursue which may prove uncomfortable for some people
- Good debate on the economic prospects for the Waterfront : £6.5 billion investment yield, 52,000 jobs and much dependent on the trams plus formal involvement in the process by the community now assured
- Good discussion with Joyce McMillan and deputy editor of The Herald on the role of the media. The audience was interested and interesting - and lots of good points about the emerging role of the internet
- Not to mention a jolly piece in the Evening News by John Gibson which made me laugh.
Put it altogether and it's not been a bad week at all: now I'm looking forward to the weekend!
Saturday, 3 March 2007
land & property
Saturday already - the week has disappeared and as usual I haven't see through even half my plans. Am I getting older and slowing up? Does time pass more quickly? Or am I just too ambitious?
It's been an interesting week, though. On Thursday the Scutiny Panel examined Tom Ponton's request to put the sale of Tynecastle High School on the open market. There is no whip in a Scrutiny Panel - members must listen to the evidence and make up their own mind. Andrew Holmes, head of city development was in stirring form (unusual enough to provoke comment!) and made a sterling defence of his officers and his report. The evidence seemed pretty conclusive to me and knowing Tom as well as I do, I suspect he saw an opportunity for mischief [and publicity for himself] and grabbed it. If so, he was spot on. Most politicians would kill for the kind of coverage he's had in the last month. However, the serious points were well made: the council has already agreed its obligation to help Hearts & Hibs (and any other major city institution) to develop their business; the land was valued (by 3 different arbiters) at market value; and the proposal will lead to the regeneration of Gorgie/Dalry - all pretty conclusive stuff, in my opinion.
Friday saw a different kind of issue altogether. Although I'm vice chair of the regulatory committee I can't attend too frequently: just as well... though extraordinarily important stuff for citizens by God it's tedious. I was there on Friday and listened to a staggering set of complaints arising from the problems of houses of multiple occupation which have been allowed to mushroom to help meet the city's housing shortage crisis. Perhaps the most important issue debated was the case of a domestic bungalow in Blackford which has been extended and is now effectively a hostel for 8 vulnerable adults with mental health needs - they are being housed in what is termed 'bed & breakfast' accommodation but is an adult hostel by any other name: I have asked for a report on the implications since adult hostels are regulated by the Care Commission with an emphasis on proper care for the individuals - while in this case the priority is property regulation. Doesn't seem right to me.
It's been an interesting week, though. On Thursday the Scutiny Panel examined Tom Ponton's request to put the sale of Tynecastle High School on the open market. There is no whip in a Scrutiny Panel - members must listen to the evidence and make up their own mind. Andrew Holmes, head of city development was in stirring form (unusual enough to provoke comment!) and made a sterling defence of his officers and his report. The evidence seemed pretty conclusive to me and knowing Tom as well as I do, I suspect he saw an opportunity for mischief [and publicity for himself] and grabbed it. If so, he was spot on. Most politicians would kill for the kind of coverage he's had in the last month. However, the serious points were well made: the council has already agreed its obligation to help Hearts & Hibs (and any other major city institution) to develop their business; the land was valued (by 3 different arbiters) at market value; and the proposal will lead to the regeneration of Gorgie/Dalry - all pretty conclusive stuff, in my opinion.
Friday saw a different kind of issue altogether. Although I'm vice chair of the regulatory committee I can't attend too frequently: just as well... though extraordinarily important stuff for citizens by God it's tedious. I was there on Friday and listened to a staggering set of complaints arising from the problems of houses of multiple occupation which have been allowed to mushroom to help meet the city's housing shortage crisis. Perhaps the most important issue debated was the case of a domestic bungalow in Blackford which has been extended and is now effectively a hostel for 8 vulnerable adults with mental health needs - they are being housed in what is termed 'bed & breakfast' accommodation but is an adult hostel by any other name: I have asked for a report on the implications since adult hostels are regulated by the Care Commission with an emphasis on proper care for the individuals - while in this case the priority is property regulation. Doesn't seem right to me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
