Discovering the inner workings of Edinburgh political life

“As a small business owner  I had always wondered how decisions were made by the Council…”

Tracy Griffen signed up with Opening Doors to find out more about local politics. Here she  explains what she learned by shadowing Councillor Nick Gardner at his work in the City Chambers and out and about in the community of Leith Walk.  Our thanks to Tracy for taking part in the shadow scheme and for providing us with such excellent feedback.  Now, over to Tracy… Continue reading “Discovering the inner workings of Edinburgh political life”

Opening Doors to the City Chambers

On a clear day you can see a long way from Lesley Hinds’ office window: across the city, down to Princes Street and over to Fife. We took a few minutes to enjoy the view as we gathered for our first meeting of the shadow scheme (Opening Doors to Democracy 2014). So much of what happens in the streets below is shaped by decisions taken in the City Chambers. Yet how many people know how those decisions are made or who makes them?

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Spread Christmas cheer: donate to North East Edinburgh Foodbank

Many families are going hungry this Christmas. Volunteers at our local foodbanks have been busy distributing supplies donated over the holiday.  There is still time to offer the gift of food for New Year at South Leith Parish Church Halls in Henderson Street tomorrow (Friday 27th December) between 3 and 5 pm. Continue reading “Spread Christmas cheer: donate to North East Edinburgh Foodbank”

Disability History Scotland asks if the welfare state has a future

Never ones to dodge a difficult question, Disability History Scotland grapple with one of the most contentious issues of our time at their annual conference on Saturday (30 November).  This year it takes place in Edinburgh’s City Chambers, a good setting for hot political topics such as the future of the welfare state. Continue reading “Disability History Scotland asks if the welfare state has a future”

Delving into the history beneath our feet

What’s in a street name?

News of a really interesting Leith event has just landed in my inbox. An invitation for local people to get involved in local archaeology and street naming. Sounds a great opportunity to find out more about the history that lies under our feet – and how to influence street names of today! Wednesday, 6 November Thomas Morton Hall 6.45pm

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Travel Out of Bounds through Scotland

What are you doing on Thursday?  How about taking a trip Out of Bounds through a reinvented Scotland, following a map drawn by black and Asian poets? The journey – funny, disturbing and hopeful by twists and turns – begins at the Scottish Poetry Library at 6.30pm. Where will it end? Colin Waters, SPL communications manager, tells us more… Continue reading “Travel Out of Bounds through Scotland”

Bring the pedestrian pound to Leith Walk

 

Things are looking up for Leith Walk, it seems. The Scottish Government has added extra cash to the kitty which means a total of coming on for £9 million is to be spent on improving the most interesting street in the city.  But the story is surely not finished.

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Re-Opening Doors 2013.

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.”

Raising aspirations for Leith Walk

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”