Friday: 11.30 am. Zahira Hassan has just arrived in Sarah Boyack’s office. A quick glance at the MSP’s diary is enough to convince her that she is in for a very interesting few weeks shadowing the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Planning. Continue reading “Re-Opening Doors 2013.”
This is no day for a stroll. Heads down against wind and rain, people are not hanging about to enjoy the view. Even on the best of days it takes a bit of positive thinking to see passed wheelie bins and bollards cluttering the faded grandeur of Leith Walk. But on a bleak winter day it is cheering to look on the bright side. City of Edinburgh Council has promised to clear up the mess left by abandoned tram works and general neglect. The even cheerier thought is that Leith community groups are determined to get them to do much more than that. Continue reading “Raising aspirations for Leith Walk”
Many of my female friends show no interest in politics and this is something that baffles me.
Ruth Bittern may be disappointed that many of the young women she knows seem uninterested in politics but there is no mistaking her own enthusiasm. Ruth applied to our Opening Doors Shadow Scheme because she wants to put political knowledge to good use in the community. In fact she had just given up a successful job in the financial sector because she wanted to work somewhere more rewarding and satisfying.
Continue reading “A taste for politics”
Wanted: women to join an exciting new community venture in Leith which involves food, fitness and fun. It has so much in common with World Kitchen in Leith we’re hoping to get together with the Talk of the Walk during the programme which runs every Wednesday from now (November) until March 2013. But first, over to Emma Pattinson of Edinburgh Community Food to tell us more about it…. Continue reading “Talk of the Walk”
Another step into the unknown, I’m on a train hurtling south from Edinburgh to London. Of all unlikely things I find myself an ambassador for Leith Open Space on my way to take part in an international conference of open spacers, more precisely the World Open Space on Open Space (WOSONOS) for participants of this defiantly participative process which – in theory anyway – gives the floor to the audience rather than the organisers. Round about York I’m casting my mind back to how it all began. Continue reading “Into the unknown…again”
So you don’t need the muscles of an Olympic champion. It turned out to be surprisingly easy to pedal a smoothie on this marvellous reinvented bike that seems to be making a name for itself at foodie festivals around Scotland.
Continue reading “Eat your way to a better world”
There was a lot of queueing at the BBC’s Leith Special Fringe Show – at times it felt like Ryan Air with smiles. Queuing to validate our free tickets we whiled away the time playing Spot the Leither. According to the programme notes Mark Steel would be playing to an audience of born and bred Leithers which amused the couple in front of us. “Leith via Toronto,” and behind, “We’re from Luton.”
Continue reading “Leith’s night out in Edinburgh”
Left, right and centre. Here’s a chance to engage with radical views and big questions. What does the future hold for Scotland. In an age of austerity can councils deliver quality services? Would independence produce a more democratic local authority? Continue reading “Left foot forward?”
It’s 11.30 am on Saturday. “Half an hour to go,” says Mark. “Are we going to be ready?” We all look towards the door. Sunlight beams into the kitchen but is that just a hint of panic in the air? Continue reading “Big fun at the Big Tent”
We’re getting ready for the Big Tent. The menu is prepared, the tents are booked, the wellies are in the bag. Mark has designed and ordered some very smart new aprons for the occasion – and with any luck Ian has booked a sudden spell of sunshine. Continue reading “Calling Mr Sunshine to The Big Tent”