The Oyster Club last night and despite feeling an understandable 'end of the week' fatigue (it's been a beast of a week) I enjoyed the event. Magnus Linklater and Ian Rankin spoke.
Since it's the opening weekend, Magnus concentrated on the Festival. Interestingly, he took the completely opposite view from mine about the atomisation of Edinburgh's festivals: his theory is that Edinburgh is now so much a fixture in the international 'arts' psyche it can stand the separations - I have my doubts though time indeed will tell. He was very excited about Jonathon Mills' entirely new Festival - completely out the McMaster mould - though, I noticed, wary about predicting its success. Ian Rankin was, as ever, good value - a thoughtful, humorous look at Literary Edinburgh...very evocative and a huge plug for the Book Festival, which I candidly admit is my favourite too.
Spoke to Judy Steele who was promoting her Fringe production 'The Journey of Jeannie Deans' which will shortly do a tour of Border towns. Based on Walter Scott's 'Heart of Midlothian', I intend to go see it
Eric Milligan was the host and what he doesn't know about Edinburgh's history isn't worth knowing: he pulled out a wee gem last night which I'm about to pursue with the Evening News and the Festival Board...watch this space.
And finally, Ron Brown's funeral yesterday...a measured, dignified occasion. May would have been proud of Gavin. He spoke well and has grown into a fine man. Ron's life and contribution were celebrated appropriately and without bitterness. It all felt very right.
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Our unique selling point
Last post about North Edinburgh Arts and yesterday's news the Film Festival intends to move to June set me thinking ...already the Jazz Festival and Fringe have shifted from outside the International Festival umbrella...I wonder about the wisdom of this drift.
Is any one of Edinburgh's festivals really good enough to stand alone? Think about our competition...Salzburg...Cannes... Isn't the sheer variety of the artistic experience of Edinburgh in August our unique selling point? Isn't that what gives it special buzz? Doesn't the real strength lie in numbers and by splitting away from the anchor event doesn't each stand the risk of falling alone?
I wasn't too happy to read Jonathon Mills predicting Edinburgh's International Festival might become a weekend event...I am even less happy to think that all the others could dwindle as each pursues its own agenda. If ever there was a case for the City to get its act together and get a Head of Culture in place tout de suite - someone with the clout and political backing to really punch the Festivals' weight - then this is it....before it's too late
Is any one of Edinburgh's festivals really good enough to stand alone? Think about our competition...Salzburg...Cannes... Isn't the sheer variety of the artistic experience of Edinburgh in August our unique selling point? Isn't that what gives it special buzz? Doesn't the real strength lie in numbers and by splitting away from the anchor event doesn't each stand the risk of falling alone?
I wasn't too happy to read Jonathon Mills predicting Edinburgh's International Festival might become a weekend event...I am even less happy to think that all the others could dwindle as each pursues its own agenda. If ever there was a case for the City to get its act together and get a Head of Culture in place tout de suite - someone with the clout and political backing to really punch the Festivals' weight - then this is it....before it's too late
Culture & the Arts
Phone call last night from the Evening News about the North Edinburgh Arts Centre triggered off a series of calls...apparently there is a budget deficit and the Arts Centre will have to recalibrate staffing to bring things into line: some gossip about it closing but I think this is overblown. Gave Steve Cardownie a call to ask what he'd heard. Like me...nothing ...which is surpring since most local organisations would make an immediate bee-line to the local councillors for help and advice: it's disappointing it didn't happen in this case since I understand employees, many of whom are local people, have been issued with statutory redundancy notices. This might have been avoided if another approach was followed.
With some justification one or two locals have said, 'they spend aw that money oan the Festival, but they dinnae care aboot local arts.' Steve and I profoundly disagree on some things but on this we are as one - local arts are just as important to the city as the Festival and it's time Edinburgh had a head of culture again. The capital city should lead the country's cultural life - not trail in Glasgow's wake.
With some justification one or two locals have said, 'they spend aw that money oan the Festival, but they dinnae care aboot local arts.' Steve and I profoundly disagree on some things but on this we are as one - local arts are just as important to the city as the Festival and it's time Edinburgh had a head of culture again. The capital city should lead the country's cultural life - not trail in Glasgow's wake.
Monday, 6 August 2007
Ron Brown
News of Ron Brown's death wasn't unexpected - we had heard he was ill, hospitalised and very poorly.
I am surprised by the large number of people who have taken the time to email or phone or stop to talk to me about the news. The gist of most comments is he was a Leither through and through and people believe he stood up for his constituents, particularly during the closure of Henry Robb. He is plainly remembered with great affection and that will be a consolation for his sons.
Once, May and I were great friends and there are many memories of campaigns and debates, elections and colourful parties. Both were extremely generous hosts and enjoyed a party almost as much as they loved their politics. Later memories of bitter argument and political differences have little place at a time like this. Ron and May have secured a place (and it will be more than a footnote) in Leith's history.
I am surprised by the large number of people who have taken the time to email or phone or stop to talk to me about the news. The gist of most comments is he was a Leither through and through and people believe he stood up for his constituents, particularly during the closure of Henry Robb. He is plainly remembered with great affection and that will be a consolation for his sons.
Once, May and I were great friends and there are many memories of campaigns and debates, elections and colourful parties. Both were extremely generous hosts and enjoyed a party almost as much as they loved their politics. Later memories of bitter argument and political differences have little place at a time like this. Ron and May have secured a place (and it will be more than a footnote) in Leith's history.
Moving on
I don't often use the bus - partly to do with time constraints, partly because every time I get on a Lothian Transport bus somebody sits beside me and talks non-stop...I like to use travel as thinking time so I don't want to talk to people but I have never learned a strategy for heading them off at the pass.
Three weeks ago boy racer son 'borrowed' my wee Fiesta since both his vintage, souped up cars went kaput. Ergo...I am forced on to Lothian buses. Last Thursday was an epic: board the bus at the Bridges - wee fat woman sits beside me and talks about the bingo till she gets off at the Foot of the Walk...wee fat man gets on bus outside Tam O'Shanter (at least that's what it used to be called) pub in Great Junction Street, sure as hellfire sits beside me, and talks all the way to Granton Road about his mobile phone. My husband says I've just got the kind of face people like to talk to: I can't change my face so that's the last bus I'm on this year. More walking for me, at least till I get my car back!
Bumped into Kingsley (Thomas) and Gina yesterday: both in good spirits. Moving on from the Council was obviously a good move for him but a big miss for Edinburgh. Kingsley is an able, thoughtful man and Labour right down to his cotton socks. We need more like him.
Three weeks ago boy racer son 'borrowed' my wee Fiesta since both his vintage, souped up cars went kaput. Ergo...I am forced on to Lothian buses. Last Thursday was an epic: board the bus at the Bridges - wee fat woman sits beside me and talks about the bingo till she gets off at the Foot of the Walk...wee fat man gets on bus outside Tam O'Shanter (at least that's what it used to be called) pub in Great Junction Street, sure as hellfire sits beside me, and talks all the way to Granton Road about his mobile phone. My husband says I've just got the kind of face people like to talk to: I can't change my face so that's the last bus I'm on this year. More walking for me, at least till I get my car back!
Bumped into Kingsley (Thomas) and Gina yesterday: both in good spirits. Moving on from the Council was obviously a good move for him but a big miss for Edinburgh. Kingsley is an able, thoughtful man and Labour right down to his cotton socks. We need more like him.
Sunday, 5 August 2007
Bits and pieces
Noticed the press natives are restless: lots of media attention lately to Labour's non-combative approach particularly at Scottish Parliament; lots of calls to arms; lots of speculation about Jack's imminent demise; lots of chatter in the ether.
I'm not close to it but it seems to me there's probably the same smooth transition being sought at Scottish level as was achieved at Westminster...whether it can be so is a moot point. I read in one newspaper last week that Andy Kerr has decided not to make a challenge, leaving the way clear for Wendy. No doubt, intellectually she's way ahead and I think she's great: I would watch out for Ian Gray, though. He'll be there or thereabout.
Trouble with kids in Granton: first, it was the school playground, then when dealt with there, the bother just moved round the corner to Granton Crescent. Had some seriously anxious constituents asking for help: contacted the local agencies who are now working on a more permanent solution. Then yesterday, at the Forth Youth Theatre's Fringe show - The Wiz. Great stuff and the kids all real stars. Two ends of a spectrum: one thing in common, though. The energy young people have, channeled either positively or negatively, makes a real impact. They just don't know their power.
And finally, the window came out smoothly - thanks to a glazier neighbour. Sofa safely in place...not so bad.
I'm not close to it but it seems to me there's probably the same smooth transition being sought at Scottish level as was achieved at Westminster...whether it can be so is a moot point. I read in one newspaper last week that Andy Kerr has decided not to make a challenge, leaving the way clear for Wendy. No doubt, intellectually she's way ahead and I think she's great: I would watch out for Ian Gray, though. He'll be there or thereabout.
Trouble with kids in Granton: first, it was the school playground, then when dealt with there, the bother just moved round the corner to Granton Crescent. Had some seriously anxious constituents asking for help: contacted the local agencies who are now working on a more permanent solution. Then yesterday, at the Forth Youth Theatre's Fringe show - The Wiz. Great stuff and the kids all real stars. Two ends of a spectrum: one thing in common, though. The energy young people have, channeled either positively or negatively, makes a real impact. They just don't know their power.
And finally, the window came out smoothly - thanks to a glazier neighbour. Sofa safely in place...not so bad.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Spring has sprung
In a previous blog I mentioned Gordon Brown has dealt with fire & flood & war in his first month - now he has pestilence...I don't think I'll be alone in saying, please God, not another foot & mouth outbreak. Gordon, I'm sure, will deal with this problem with the same calm assurance he had dealt with all his other trials. He has wanted to be PM for so long...I wonder if he ever thinks 'be careful what you wish for' .
My son-in-law, whose grandmother was a Tory councillor on Edinburgh Corporation, and whose natural political affinity is not with Labour, seldom discusses party politics with me. Yesterday he gave rave reviews for Gordon, making very positive comparisons with TB. And at PEP, colleagues who pay little day to day attention to politics, also spoke very favourable of Gordon's first few weeks. A peaceful handover (despite Press attempts to stir it), a mature performance from the cleverest man in British politics and the Tories once again in disarray - I think Labour may well be in for an historic 4th consecutive victory. I can feel a Spring election being sprung!
This morning 8.30 - M&S arrive with our new sofa. Rats...it doesn't fit through the TV room door... the window will have to come out to let the sofa in...I can feel an aaargh coming on...
My son-in-law, whose grandmother was a Tory councillor on Edinburgh Corporation, and whose natural political affinity is not with Labour, seldom discusses party politics with me. Yesterday he gave rave reviews for Gordon, making very positive comparisons with TB. And at PEP, colleagues who pay little day to day attention to politics, also spoke very favourable of Gordon's first few weeks. A peaceful handover (despite Press attempts to stir it), a mature performance from the cleverest man in British politics and the Tories once again in disarray - I think Labour may well be in for an historic 4th consecutive victory. I can feel a Spring election being sprung!
This morning 8.30 - M&S arrive with our new sofa. Rats...it doesn't fit through the TV room door... the window will have to come out to let the sofa in...I can feel an aaargh coming on...
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