Worries

A sample of the curtain fabric (Romo Poppies Terracotta, if anyone is interested) arrived today and we matched it to the paint cards. Celtic green (which despite its name is the palest, muted shade of green) was the clear winner. We are agreed. A small step for domestic harmony...but still to decide whether it's silk or eggshell, matt or satinwood...these things take time...other people seem to manage these decisions easily but never us.

An interesting meeting this morning at Royston Mains: the Council proposes to sell a cleared plot of land to Dunedin Canmore where they will build a supported housing facility of 60 homes for older or vulnerable people. Initially, the idea was mooted by the community since the present sheltered housing complex is built at the foot of a steep hill which makes it difficult for older or disabled residents to get out and about. Today's event was aimed at testing opinion for what the new complex should contain: a shop, a hairdresser, a bar, some health facilities, a drop-in room for other agencies such as the police were all suggested. I think it is unlikely many of these ideas will survive the planning stages since they seem aimed more at isolating older people as opposed to encouraging them out into the community. There were also some good ideas about community meeting rooms etc. I made the point that several older people have recently contacted me for advice regarding their housing options: they bought their homes during Thatcher's housing revolution and now need to downsize or find homes more suited to their deteriorating mobility: they want to stay in North Edinburgh where their social ties exist and want to maintain some capital investment in property but can't afford what's available. I asked whether it was intended to include some shared equity properties in the new development. I am pleased that Dunedin and the Council seem willing to explore this as an option.

The latest information emerging about the suspects in recent terrorist incidents is deeply worrying. I should think if I were a Muslim working in the NHS I would be extremely concerned about what my colleagues are thinking. Suspicion and fear will be difficult to avoid - it is impossible to see how it could be otherwise.