Went along to do a site visit of the Pennywell demolition area today - I hadn't appreciated how big it is - keeping it secure will be a marathon task. Had to smile though - there on the balcony the signs of resistance- Mr Gordon's balcony with flags fluttering in the breeze - he is not for moving. Yet I am told the whole demolition programme could be delayed because swallows are nesting in one of the blocks. An endangered species, they can delay progress where human beings can't.

The decorating proceeds slowly: I'd prefer to cut my throat!

murder

The painting has begun - four hours just to undercoat the woodwork. A marathon 23 feet x 15 feet of sheer ruddy murder. What have I let myself in for?

This afternoon PEP's Strawberry Tea - 67 older people for a salad lunch, bucks fizz, strawberries, singing & dancing: hectic but fun.

Tonight? After the emails ...one very large, well earned gin & tonic...

The lull before the storm

The next Mrs Maginnis' Hen Night yesterday at the Hibs Club - very green, very cheap booze, very loud band and two flyers at bingo: see they hibbees...they know how to enjoy themselves...

And today the decorating starts...it's taken two hours just to clear the room...I can feel a headache coming on...

Security & safety

A couple of constituents advised me at the beginning of the week there were security problems at the Pennywell demolition site: they claimed kids were climbing to the top flats of the semi-demolished buildings and throwing stones at passing traffic: I went to take a look for myself and was shocked to see that at the corners of the site the demolition team had erected a barricade that would have graced the stage of Les Miserables - using rubble from the site. No way was it secure.
I passed this on to the local housing office and I have to say they have reacted with amazing speed.
Yesterday I received fulsome assurances that they had met with the contractors and the following responses are now in hand:

• increased night time security
• the local community policing team to be more closely involved
• the wholly inadequate perimeter fencing to be secured and repaired
• unsafe buildings which are as yet only partially demolished to be made either secure or pulled down
• the entrance to the still live electricity sub station to be blocked off
• signage put up warning of the live electricity dangers

Now, I know nobody in their right mind plays on to a demolition site - but equally nobody in their right mind believes that kids won't go there for the adventure and risk if nothing else. I will be monitoring this situation closely: a serious or fatal injury would be too high a price to pay for slack security.

Writing & diaries

No meetings so gardening last night then at 8 went in to watch Alistair Campbell's Diaries on BBC 2. Reported coverage so far suggests he has been very loyal to Tony Blair but the book will be a 'must read' for me this summer. I only met Campbell twice - and even then it was little more than a handshake and a 'how do you do.' So I only have impressions of him but they are vivid. Very sexy, total alpha male, guarded, watching everything...a kind of seen it all but hoping there might be more look. Wish I had a sample of his handwriting - there's a lot to learn from the way someone writes their name. I once analysed Princess Alexandra's handwriting - she was so impressed she had her lady in waiting write to thank me...it's a great ice-breaker and so long as I'm careful about not being too frank it's fun too!

And the latest is...

Word back from Superintendent Moaynddin at Gayfield Square: not happy at all that Drylaw Police Station closes to the public during opening hours. Has promised it won't happen again and has instructed his officers that if the civilian officer isn't available for desk duties, one of them must be...RESULT for Muirhouse Community Council!

liars and honest men

Recently I was asked to intervene in an interesting anti social neighbour case - a group of neighbours approached me claiming their neighbour has been intimidating them persistently for several years (including a couple of physical assaults) and they are at the end of their tether. I ask them, why have you waited so long to seek my help. Shattering reply...'She said you were related to her and you wouldn't help...' I shake my head. None of it true. Not that I'm related to her or that, even if I were, I wouldn't have helped. Long overdue, the case is now progressing but I am left wondering how many other liars have used that excuse to get away with bad behaviour.

Several meetings this week - all related to local issues: property ownership, regeneration, transport - and then last night the West Pilton Community Council AGM and a vote for chairperson and vice chairperson. The status quo prevailed, though for the vice chair it was a tight run thing. The chair gave a full report and it is clear this community council has done good work responding to local concerns. He has led them well with impartiality and it is right that he was re-elected. People are funny - an honest broker chair is worth his weight in gold but as with all organisations, internal politics can be fierce. These nuances are thankfully lost on the outside world.