Open view

Into the unknown…again

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 [...]

Leith’s night out in Edinburgh

Leith’s night out in Edinburgh

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 [...]

The drink is on me

The drink is on me

Let it pass. I’m here for a quiet drink and the big fella scares the crap out of me. Here is a true story by George Lamb, written before recent reports that welfare cuts are fuelling hatred of disabled people. Share this:

What’s in a word?

Ah, the complex power of words.  Yesterday we tweeted support for the Hope Not Hate campaign for responsible reporting (something we happen to feel strongly about).  In reply came an interesting response from Leith blogger and tweeter, yonmei, saying that the use of the word “shrill” in the campaign against The Star’s coverage of Muslim [...]

Poetic licence in the city chambers

Poetic licence in the city chambers

Sometimes I know I am bigger inside than I am outside. We need more poetry in politics.  For a few wonderful moments at the monthly full council meeting Ron Butlin lifted the tone inside Edidnburgh’s city chambers.  The Makar, or poet laureate, of Edinburgh opened the session with a poem in place of the usual [...]

Meet Jo (or Joe) the active citizen

Meet Jo (or Joe) the active citizen

Racing for life: picture by Nick Gardner What is an active citizen?  If I was being very flippant I would say it is the kind of person who comes out on a Saturday morning to talk about the big news stories of the day.  No, not just talk.  Active citizenship in the ACTive Inquiry sense [...]

Hold the Fort: world premiere

At 9.30 am there is only one film showing at the Vue cinema in Ocean Terminal. Sunshine beams across Leith while people stream into the warm dark for the first screening. Parents, teachers, community leaders and local politicians have turned out in force to see an extraordinary celebration of local life. But the red carpet [...]

Buried treasure unearthed in the garden

Harvest time in Persevere Community Garden The sun was shining through the window and there was a pot of tea on the go. To be honest, I could have been tempted to stay at home last Saturday but I am very glad I didn’t. The open day at Persevere Community Garden was a great way [...]