Musings from the Merse
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Out of A Clear Sky but bring your brolly
Off to Embra today and will see you here
Bring some specie
And avoid the Mendicant Piper of Princes Street. He is (a) loaded-thank you Japanese 'homecomers' (b) out of your way to West Nicholson Street
Off to Embra today and will see you here
Bring some specie
And avoid the Mendicant Piper of Princes Street. He is (a) loaded-thank you Japanese 'homecomers' (b) out of your way to West Nicholson Street
Labels: Edinburgh Fringe, Embra, Out of a Clear Sky
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Milking the Applause
"Students were not like that in my day" moaned one of my maturer colleagues over the hi tech coffee machine in the department. I agreed; after 11 years at Embra I can form a preliminary view as we accies say. Edinburgh University students now, Trinity College Dublin undergraduates in the 1960s: compare and contrast. We at TCD were rude, arrogant, inattentive (if we bothered to turn up to lectures at all)scruffy and generally uninterested.We rubbished our teachers And gloried in it.
This lot are quiet, attentive, polite,well dressed and engaged. And they sometimes clap at the end. For goodness sake.
"Moronic lot!They don't clap me" said the mature colleague with a certain grim satisfaction. "So I must be doing
some thing right"
"Perhaps you should enthuse them a bit more?" I gently suggested
"Enthuse Them!???"
I am not here to enthuse them but to stuff thick heads with enough knowledge to get them through exams.Just. That's what I get inadequately paid for, and that's what I do. If they don't like it, that's their problem.Not mine."
Yes students have changed but I wonder about the lecturers
Are the Dinosaurs really extinct?
"Students were not like that in my day" moaned one of my maturer colleagues over the hi tech coffee machine in the department. I agreed; after 11 years at Embra I can form a preliminary view as we accies say. Edinburgh University students now, Trinity College Dublin undergraduates in the 1960s: compare and contrast. We at TCD were rude, arrogant, inattentive (if we bothered to turn up to lectures at all)scruffy and generally uninterested.We rubbished our teachers And gloried in it.
This lot are quiet, attentive, polite,well dressed and engaged. And they sometimes clap at the end. For goodness sake.
"Moronic lot!They don't clap me" said the mature colleague with a certain grim satisfaction. "So I must be doing
some thing right"
"Perhaps you should enthuse them a bit more?" I gently suggested
"Enthuse Them!???"
I am not here to enthuse them but to stuff thick heads with enough knowledge to get them through exams.Just. That's what I get inadequately paid for, and that's what I do. If they don't like it, that's their problem.Not mine."
Yes students have changed but I wonder about the lecturers
Are the Dinosaurs really extinct?
Labels: Dinosaurs, Embra, Trinity College Dublin, University of Edinburgh
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tight Change
I fear the credit crunch has hit Embra judging from the increase in the number of mendicants in the Princes Street area-one well dressed guy may have been surplus to Royal Bank of Scotland requirements is now in the place where the long term beggar with the wee dog in the flak jacket used to be. No sign of him. He may have made a fortune from a hedge fund and moved on, or it is just too bloody cold.
A new recruit to the fraternity has taken up his position on the Fleshmarket steps. I was coming down just behind a very well dressed prosperous looking bloke who was accosted by the mendicant with the routine inquiry as to the availability of loose change. The VWDPLB stopped and asked, rather aggressively as to what 'Loose change constitutes in your book' The novice mendicant looked the inquirer up and down slowly and said 'You look good for 20p' The VWDPLB stormed off muttering something about bloody insolence.
I joyfully parted with a quid.
Without being asked
My battered, tattered fleece may not have looked worth a P.
I fear the credit crunch has hit Embra judging from the increase in the number of mendicants in the Princes Street area-one well dressed guy may have been surplus to Royal Bank of Scotland requirements is now in the place where the long term beggar with the wee dog in the flak jacket used to be. No sign of him. He may have made a fortune from a hedge fund and moved on, or it is just too bloody cold.
A new recruit to the fraternity has taken up his position on the Fleshmarket steps. I was coming down just behind a very well dressed prosperous looking bloke who was accosted by the mendicant with the routine inquiry as to the availability of loose change. The VWDPLB stopped and asked, rather aggressively as to what 'Loose change constitutes in your book' The novice mendicant looked the inquirer up and down slowly and said 'You look good for 20p' The VWDPLB stormed off muttering something about bloody insolence.
I joyfully parted with a quid.
Without being asked
My battered, tattered fleece may not have looked worth a P.
Labels: Embra, Mendicants
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
The House of Hangover
Sean X Hume, the great Scots Philosopher and grave robber was once asked by Dr Johnston to define the difference between Hogmanay(Scotland) and New Year's Eve (rest of known world). 'Sir' he said ' Hogmanay is the same as New Year's Eve but with extra vomit'
To assess the accuracy of this description one need go no further than Embra to participate in the Hooley there. You can get some idea idea of the excitements in store (and a possible whiff of the vomit yet to come) if you go to the lavish website here but if you are trying to get a ticket (essential to penetrate the orgiastic city centre) you may have problems. Hence the error message:
We are sorry, but an error has occurred whilst trying to process your request:
There is no row at position 0.
There may be no row at position 0 but a hell of a shindig elsewhere.
Bah, Humbug and all that but Huttonian will be in bed by 2200 hours which will already be New Year in Amman, Ankara, Addis Abbaba and all points east.
As the Psalmist had it 'Sufficient to the evening is the vomit thereof'
Why actively seek it out?
For those who are wondering what Hogmamay actually is I can do no better than consult Wikapedia
: Hogmanay (pronounced [ˌhɔgməˈneː] — with the main stress on the last syllable) is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year (Gregorian calendar) in the Scottish manner. Its official date is 31 December (Auld Year's Night). However this is normally only the start of a celebration which lasts through the night until the morning of Ne'erday (1 January) or, in some cases, 2 January which is a Scottish Bank Holiday.
You can't put it fairer than that. Especially the cautious and non explicit reference to the 'Scottish manner'
You will note that the website gives no date in January for the end of the celebrations. The 2 Jamuary suggested by Wikapedia may be
a trifle conservative
Labels: Embra, Hogmanay, Old Years Night
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Campbells are coming. For Christmas. Unfortunately
It was bound to happen. The Mendicant Piper (MP) on the south side of Princes Street has severe and sustained competition. Not from another nearby McBusker but from the dreadfully kitsch 'Scottish shop' just around the corner on the other side of the street now blaring forth, tinny but strident pipe music (or rather Macmusack) from strategically placed loud speakers-strategic in the sense that a well intentioned and public spirited axeman can't quite reach them. Usually it is all the old favourites so beloved of Jimmy Shand but to day a sinister new development:
'Away in the Manger' on the pipes or a rough approximation. Very rough*
I suspect there is big money to be made in Gallicising the old carols -surely all out of copyright by now
Jimmy Wenscelas set out
early in the gloamin
'If I canna find me tartan troos
I'll have to quit the roamin'
* Don't try this at home. Please
(The image is of a Scottish piper in Swaziland. Now if we could all club together and buy a ticket to darkest Africa for the MP of PS.....One way would be fine)
Labels: Carols in Kiltsc, Embra, Mendicant Piper
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Barren Rocks of Where?
"Do you do military tunes requests?" Asked the grizzled old veteran to the Princes Street Mendicant Piper having deposited a whole 20p piece into his violin case. " Its a Scottish Soldier you will be wanting" responded the MP starting on his tom cat warm up. "No. Its the Barren Rocks of Aden' I'll be wanting" said the GOV " I know all the tunes and I don't know that one" replied the MP " You must have the name wrong" Now Listen Jimmy" said the GOV "I have marched behind many a proper Piper up every ******* back alley in Aden, I've marched with the ******* Argylls, I have marched with that ******* Mad Mitch and don't tell me I have the name wrong. Many brave Jocks died with that tune in their heads. What ******* piper does not know the Barren ******** Rocks of ******* Aden?
He retrieved his 20p piece and stalked off towards Waverley Street steps, almost marching, no doubt, to the sound of distant drums (and pipes)..The MP broke into 'Will ye no come back again'
I may be imagining it but the 'no' sounded underlined to my uneducated ear.
Twice
(The image is of another MP in London-his specie container is even bigger than the one in Princes Street)
Labels: Barren Rocks of Aden, Embra, Mendicant Piper
Friday, October 17, 2008
Ex Africa Semper aliquid novi?
Coming back, as one does, musing about the credit crunch and Private Medicine, in an Embra taxi, Huttonian kept half an eye open for the Doyen of the Mendicant Corps of Princes Street and his wee dog, and both ears tuned in in the general direction of the Mendicant Piper. Then just where the D of the MC usually has his pitch I came across a new comer to the play and spare some change scene. An African drummer*, or so it seemed, in full beat-the image is taken from the cab, so apologies for quality. As far as I could see, en passant, his 'begging bowl' was well specied. And so powerful was his sound the mendicant piper had been driven from his usual perch and no sign of any other competition for the generosity of the few remaining Japanese tourists
* I am no expert on exotic music. The chap concerned may well hail from other foreign parts but the rythym was certainly 'African' And of course, given the multi ethnicity of the Borders he may well have been a Pail Merk.
Coming back, as one does, musing about the credit crunch and Private Medicine, in an Embra taxi, Huttonian kept half an eye open for the Doyen of the Mendicant Corps of Princes Street and his wee dog, and both ears tuned in in the general direction of the Mendicant Piper. Then just where the D of the MC usually has his pitch I came across a new comer to the play and spare some change scene. An African drummer*, or so it seemed, in full beat-the image is taken from the cab, so apologies for quality. As far as I could see, en passant, his 'begging bowl' was well specied. And so powerful was his sound the mendicant piper had been driven from his usual perch and no sign of any other competition for the generosity of the few remaining Japanese tourists
* I am no expert on exotic music. The chap concerned may well hail from other foreign parts but the rythym was certainly 'African' And of course, given the multi ethnicity of the Borders he may well have been a Pail Merk.
Labels: Embra, Mendicant Pipers, Pail Merks
Friday, March 14, 2008
Worthy of his Hire
Yesterday saw Huttonian's last trip this academic year to Embra for pontfications at the Uni. Hard days work for once with two tutorials and an extended seminar. A recent development as been the paying of my rail expenses-I used to calaculate that after adding my lecture fee onto my total earnings, deducting the taxman's cut and the travel costs I made 25 p on each visit. Now it is a bit heavier in the pocket. Being an Honorary Fellow I have no official place in the pay structure and I used to wonder out of what particular cost centre my fee came. 'Expert Consultancies'? 'Academic Outsourcing'?, 'Visiting Lecturers'? ' Guest Pontifications'? It couldn't be 'payment for Honorary Fellows' as that would border on the oxymoronic.
I checked on my last years pay advice. In bold
To be charged to :
Casual Labour
There's posh for you.
Labels: Embra, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Wrong Seats of Learning?
The seminar/lecture season is back in full swing at the uni in Embra and Huttonian enjoyed a good days academia yesterday in Ould Reekie. My lectured- at- students are still very new to me and I had one of those horrid frissons as I walked into the lecture hall -lots of faces but none I instantly recognised. In a moment of panic I thought I had gone into the wrong room but it must have been ok as there were no protests when I started on a pontification about Jordan. I remember a colleague who had been pleased to see that his class seemed fuller than usual (not at Embra but at another ancient seat of learning). 'Ah' he thought 'my reputation is pulling them in' and started into his discourse on the lesser known aspects of Moldavian jellyfish and their influences on Proustian Discourse* Peripherally he observed a surprising number of oriental faces he had not noticed at previous lectures but was delighted to observe their rapt attention and assiduous note taking. At the end the Far Easterners rose as one person in response to a whistle and left in a body-following the party out into the quadrangle he saw them herded onto a bus and whisked off. 'Tojo Academic Tours' was emblazoned on the side of the bus. He later learned that his lecture had been selected at random by the tour organisers as part of their ' The Oxbridge Experience-Via Screaming Tyres to Dreaming Spires' Good packaging, that.
In these parts the bulk of Japanese tourists head for Alnwick Castle for the Harry Potter Experience and I doubt if Modern Middle East History in the Appleton Tower, George Square, Embra, is on many itineraries.
Three years ago I unwittingly woke a student when discussing the finer points of the Iraq/Iran War (1979-1987) He jumped up and rushed out of the room muttering' Sorry, Wrong Lecture' This was 4.45 pm and the lecture started at 4. I am really sorry to have spoiled his afternoon.
* Thought to be tenous. Blog-ed
(the image is of the Harry Potter connection to Alnwick Castle. Difficult to compete with that)
Labels: Embra, Harry Potter, University of Edinburgh
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Huttonian is off to the Uni in Embra later this day to give a public lecture on aspects of diplomatic life in the Middle East in those good old days long ago (See
http://www.eumes.co.uk/12.htm)The clientele will be, in the main, the student body-much of the same lot I lecture to as part of the Modern Middle East History 'module' The difference being that attendance at course lectures if not exactly a three line whip is regarded as a 'should do' if you are serious about a decent showing in the exam. A public lecture is very voluntary and given late liquid lunches, the conflicting attractions of Happy Hours at local hostelries or whatever the turnout could be rather derisory.
I hope not quite on the scale of minimalist audience participation as was the experience of a colleague who was asked to give the keynote address at a seminar on some fairly obscure academic topic: Shakespear's Sonnets and the advent of The M'burnish Movement in 17th Century Bakino Fasso or similar. On his arrival the platform was vacant and one person in the audience. Nothing daunted, he assumed the chair, gave his paper, acknowledged the two hands clapping and started to gather up his papers and leave the hall.:
'Please Don't Go' said the solitary guy in the body of the hall;
'I am the second speaker'
(Image is of possible attendance)
Labels: Embra, Lectures, University of Edinburgh
Monday, February 04, 2008
Yanks that with Wallace Bled
Back to Embra for another bout of academia and a nice bright sunny day for it. My route to the uni avoids crossing the path of Embra's most photographed Mendicant Piper as judged by Flickr entries-see image above which was entitled ' Piping for Money' and taken by a rather disapproving tourist-I wonder if the 'musician'had his palm crossed with silver for allowing the photograph to be taken or was the Japanese Method used-snapped from safely across the street with a telephoto lens, out of range of the cavernous begging bowl. My route involves two Big Issue sellers, now, invariably Eastern Europeans, and a social drop out who dosses down on the Fleshmarket Steps but he is generally not at his station until the Spring.
Once going up the steps I was trapped behind an American Tour party who had brought their own Dragoman or tour guide with them all the way from Stateside. He had a very loud carrying voice and was explaining to his flock; 'This is the Fleshmarket-so called because it was a notorious hang out for local prostitutes' Cameras clicking away at the most unphotogenic part of Embra including the poor beggar who had shrunk into his sleeping bag in case he was mistaken for indulging in a trading revival.
I am not sure from which bit of WikiMacpaedia Hank. S. Dragomann had got his facts about Embra but he needs to do a bit more resaerch, methinks. I last heard him proclaiming as the Yanks reached the Royal Mile : ' We have a choice :Left to Holyrood Place where Mary Queen of Scots founded the first Scotish Parliament or right to the Castle built by the patriot William Wallace to keep out the English invaders'
They went straight on to Mc Tatt-the Scottish Souvenir Shop. Closer, their feet hurt and enough culture for one morning. Apparently
And one of the party was asking a Big Issue Vendor if he 'carried a copy of USA Today'
Back to Embra for another bout of academia and a nice bright sunny day for it. My route to the uni avoids crossing the path of Embra's most photographed Mendicant Piper as judged by Flickr entries-see image above which was entitled ' Piping for Money' and taken by a rather disapproving tourist-I wonder if the 'musician'had his palm crossed with silver for allowing the photograph to be taken or was the Japanese Method used-snapped from safely across the street with a telephoto lens, out of range of the cavernous begging bowl. My route involves two Big Issue sellers, now, invariably Eastern Europeans, and a social drop out who dosses down on the Fleshmarket Steps but he is generally not at his station until the Spring.
Once going up the steps I was trapped behind an American Tour party who had brought their own Dragoman or tour guide with them all the way from Stateside. He had a very loud carrying voice and was explaining to his flock; 'This is the Fleshmarket-so called because it was a notorious hang out for local prostitutes' Cameras clicking away at the most unphotogenic part of Embra including the poor beggar who had shrunk into his sleeping bag in case he was mistaken for indulging in a trading revival.
I am not sure from which bit of WikiMacpaedia Hank. S. Dragomann had got his facts about Embra but he needs to do a bit more resaerch, methinks. I last heard him proclaiming as the Yanks reached the Royal Mile : ' We have a choice :Left to Holyrood Place where Mary Queen of Scots founded the first Scotish Parliament or right to the Castle built by the patriot William Wallace to keep out the English invaders'
They went straight on to Mc Tatt-the Scottish Souvenir Shop. Closer, their feet hurt and enough culture for one morning. Apparently
And one of the party was asking a Big Issue Vendor if he 'carried a copy of USA Today'
Labels: American Tourists, Embra, Japanese tourists, Mendicant Piper
Thursday, January 17, 2008
I doubt if it was even unconscious humour but it kept Huttonian chuckling all day:
Sign outside Female Toilets in Waverley Street Station:
'QUEUE IN LADIES. INCONVENIENCE REGRETTED'
It would have been even funnier had not only one of the Gentleman's sit down conveniences been in working order. A run on last week's Tuna Chibatas had increased the demand for No 2s. And if you were about number 8 in the queue for relief for the one underventilated cabana you were struck by that old, so apt, nostrum beloved of Victor Sylvester:
The Music dies but the Melody lingers on.
(The image is not of Embra but could well have been-plenty of urinals to go round.)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Quod Erat Demonstrandum
The wife having returned from Lunnon has shot off to Embra, deserting Huttonian once again. As a lady who rarely lunches she is off to 'The Place to Eat' in John Lewes. This despite my warning about what once befell me there some years ago. I joined a long queue to the main counter keeping my eye on a delicious concoction which was the highlight of the 'snacks of the day' A wonderful combination of shrimps, smoked salmon, organic cheese, sun dried tomatoes and twiddly bits of 'hand picked' lettuce all on luscious looking wholemeal bread. Miraculously the item was still there when I reached the head of the queue, so I bought it plus a latte (since you ask) with some gusto.
It was not quite so nice to eat as it looked-bread was very wholemeal and the cheese highly organic and a bit of a struggle.I was suddenly aware of the approach of an official delegation: Sous Floor Manager (Catering and Toilets) a waitress and Chief Assistant to the Assistant Chef. ' Excuse me Sir' said SFM 'But you seem to have eaten the demonstration sandwich' Seem? I had. Apparently it was a few days old and 'should not have been sold'-being, er, for 'Demonstration Purposes Only' They were not empowered to offer a refund ( I had eaten the evidence to the last frazzled lettuce leaf) but a second helping of a newer variety was suggested 'at John Lewes' expense'. I declined and hurried to the Loo to await developments (the Prawns? How old were they?)
There were none. Worth describing.
But I have since found another ' Places to Eat'
I hope the wife exercises due diligence
The wife having returned from Lunnon has shot off to Embra, deserting Huttonian once again. As a lady who rarely lunches she is off to 'The Place to Eat' in John Lewes. This despite my warning about what once befell me there some years ago. I joined a long queue to the main counter keeping my eye on a delicious concoction which was the highlight of the 'snacks of the day' A wonderful combination of shrimps, smoked salmon, organic cheese, sun dried tomatoes and twiddly bits of 'hand picked' lettuce all on luscious looking wholemeal bread. Miraculously the item was still there when I reached the head of the queue, so I bought it plus a latte (since you ask) with some gusto.
It was not quite so nice to eat as it looked-bread was very wholemeal and the cheese highly organic and a bit of a struggle.I was suddenly aware of the approach of an official delegation: Sous Floor Manager (Catering and Toilets) a waitress and Chief Assistant to the Assistant Chef. ' Excuse me Sir' said SFM 'But you seem to have eaten the demonstration sandwich' Seem? I had. Apparently it was a few days old and 'should not have been sold'-being, er, for 'Demonstration Purposes Only' They were not empowered to offer a refund ( I had eaten the evidence to the last frazzled lettuce leaf) but a second helping of a newer variety was suggested 'at John Lewes' expense'. I declined and hurried to the Loo to await developments (the Prawns? How old were they?)
There were none. Worth describing.
But I have since found another ' Places to Eat'
I hope the wife exercises due diligence
Labels: Embra, John Lewes
Saturday, July 21, 2007
FISHWICK AT THE FRINGE
Huttonian is giving some publicity to one of the more unusual events of the Embra Festival: I would hope that some of our local Councillors and especially Big Jim Conundrum gets a ring side seat to learn something about how planning should work, although in his case, and in ours, much of the damage has been done.
Planning Aid takes centre stage
An award-winning national charity that provides free independent planning advice is set to take to the Edinburgh Fringe stage as it brings planning to the people through its innovative workshop, ‘ Planning to Act’.
Planning Aid for Scotland provides free professional advice, support and training on planning and environmental issues to individuals and communities looking to engage in the planning system. Its first appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with its ‘Planning to Act’ workshop aims to bring the planning system into the lives of people through performance and visual art using a range of creative media.
The tailored workshop builds on Planning Aid for Scotland’s extensive work on community engagement in the planning process, allowing those who do not engage in any form of consultation a different means to express their views and opinions. The first workshop held at the Lot in Edinburgh in November 2006 produced very positive feedback and saw 20 people from a variety of backgrounds take part.
The workshop uses a mix of discussion, creative problem solving, hands on participatory drama and visual art to look at some of the core issues around the planning process, raising awareness and helping get people more involved.
The role of Planning Aid for Scotland, and the need for greater community engagement through workshops such as ‘Planning to Act’, has become even more critical with the passing of the Planning (Scotland) Act and the legal requirement for pre-consultation with communities for some developments.
Commenting on the event Petra Biberbach, Executive Director of Planning Aid for Scotland, said:
“We are delighted to be treading the boards at this year’s Festival Fringe for the first time. Planning is an issue that has a huge effect on the lives of individuals and communities and should matter to us all. Our workshop aims to bring planning to the people in an exciting and creative manner, and with the passing of the Planning Act there has never been a better time for us to demonstrate initiatives that reflect our understanding that different audiences requires different approaches if they are to have a true voice in the planning system”
Performances take place:
August 8-10; 15-17; 22-24; 29-31: 10.30 (2 hours) or 14:00 (2 hours)
Performances are free but places need to be booked in advance.
The venue is the offices of Planning Aid for Scotland, 11A South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AS, Tel: 0131 220 9730. Further information is available on page 122 of the Fringe Programme or at: www.edfringe.com
Notes to Editors
Planning Aid for Scotland works with people to shape Scotland's future, providing support and information when it is needed.
• Planning Aid for Scotland is a unique award-winning national charity that provides free independent advice, information, support and training to people looking to participate in the planning system.
• Established in 1993 it is a volunteer-led organisation, with 145 volunteer town planners who assist and provide advice to members of the public on all matters relating to the planning system across Scotland.
The role of Planning Aid for Scotland is to:
• Ensure that everyone has access to the planning system
• Provide knowledge and information to all people
• Help people to understand how the planning system works
• Enable all people to play their part
Further information is available at www.planningaidscotland.org.uk or call Petra Biberbach on 0131 220 9733. To book a place please call 0131 220 9730
Participatory Drama may include the re-enactment of an episode from real life which brought together people in a creative manner-the dramatic story of the FISHWICK BLACK SPOT (subtitled ' Demonstrating Initiatives and Pissing off the rest of us') and one struggling farmer's noble mission to solve it. Come along to cheer or hiss and boo as the fancy takes you. And you can learn in a vivid way how the passing of the Planning Act has opened up such attractive prospects for
The Developers
Huttonian is giving some publicity to one of the more unusual events of the Embra Festival: I would hope that some of our local Councillors and especially Big Jim Conundrum gets a ring side seat to learn something about how planning should work, although in his case, and in ours, much of the damage has been done.
Planning Aid takes centre stage
An award-winning national charity that provides free independent planning advice is set to take to the Edinburgh Fringe stage as it brings planning to the people through its innovative workshop, ‘ Planning to Act’.
Planning Aid for Scotland provides free professional advice, support and training on planning and environmental issues to individuals and communities looking to engage in the planning system. Its first appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with its ‘Planning to Act’ workshop aims to bring the planning system into the lives of people through performance and visual art using a range of creative media.
The tailored workshop builds on Planning Aid for Scotland’s extensive work on community engagement in the planning process, allowing those who do not engage in any form of consultation a different means to express their views and opinions. The first workshop held at the Lot in Edinburgh in November 2006 produced very positive feedback and saw 20 people from a variety of backgrounds take part.
The workshop uses a mix of discussion, creative problem solving, hands on participatory drama and visual art to look at some of the core issues around the planning process, raising awareness and helping get people more involved.
The role of Planning Aid for Scotland, and the need for greater community engagement through workshops such as ‘Planning to Act’, has become even more critical with the passing of the Planning (Scotland) Act and the legal requirement for pre-consultation with communities for some developments.
Commenting on the event Petra Biberbach, Executive Director of Planning Aid for Scotland, said:
“We are delighted to be treading the boards at this year’s Festival Fringe for the first time. Planning is an issue that has a huge effect on the lives of individuals and communities and should matter to us all. Our workshop aims to bring planning to the people in an exciting and creative manner, and with the passing of the Planning Act there has never been a better time for us to demonstrate initiatives that reflect our understanding that different audiences requires different approaches if they are to have a true voice in the planning system”
Performances take place:
August 8-10; 15-17; 22-24; 29-31: 10.30 (2 hours) or 14:00 (2 hours)
Performances are free but places need to be booked in advance.
The venue is the offices of Planning Aid for Scotland, 11A South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AS, Tel: 0131 220 9730. Further information is available on page 122 of the Fringe Programme or at: www.edfringe.com
Notes to Editors
Planning Aid for Scotland works with people to shape Scotland's future, providing support and information when it is needed.
• Planning Aid for Scotland is a unique award-winning national charity that provides free independent advice, information, support and training to people looking to participate in the planning system.
• Established in 1993 it is a volunteer-led organisation, with 145 volunteer town planners who assist and provide advice to members of the public on all matters relating to the planning system across Scotland.
The role of Planning Aid for Scotland is to:
• Ensure that everyone has access to the planning system
• Provide knowledge and information to all people
• Help people to understand how the planning system works
• Enable all people to play their part
Further information is available at www.planningaidscotland.org.uk or call Petra Biberbach on 0131 220 9733. To book a place please call 0131 220 9730
Participatory Drama may include the re-enactment of an episode from real life which brought together people in a creative manner-the dramatic story of the FISHWICK BLACK SPOT (subtitled ' Demonstrating Initiatives and Pissing off the rest of us') and one struggling farmer's noble mission to solve it. Come along to cheer or hiss and boo as the fancy takes you. And you can learn in a vivid way how the passing of the Planning Act has opened up such attractive prospects for
The Developers
Labels: Embra, Fishwick Bypass
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Scots Make hae.
Even with about two weeks to the Festival, Embra is already heaving with humanity. And the town is already in full Professional Scot mode-souvenir tat shops and instant Kilteries crammed with mostly American back packers and continental yuff and general purpose middle aged looking for the Bernstein, Dubois and Metternich tartans-can do Sir if you come back in an hour; in the meanwhile how about a ceremonial Claymore-genuine late twentieth century. Buy one Nessie get two at 2.5% discount. Or the Genuine Scottish Joke Book-slim enough for your wallet and full of tartanned up Irish Jokes-now no longer appropriate or funny in the blossoming Celtic Tiger Hibernian community.
In the midst of all this international commerce and frenetic sightseeing the mendicant pipers are at full strength-no less than three from the Fleshmarket Steps to the Old University and impossible to stay out of sound for long. Young tourists are not good payers-happy shots with their cell phones and then move on when the music stops and the Tam 0' Shanter comes around. The most generous givers are the new class of visiting sub-continental who are visibly impressed with what Ould Reekie has to offer and exclaim 'well played sir' as the lament dies on the wind and shower the begging bowl with much specie. Ould Reekie has made an impression-I overheard one Indian visitor say loudly to his wife' So like the Old Country and I can honestly say, my dear, that St Giles Cathedral is the answer to our dear Taj Mahal.' So what Mc Tavishes' Genuine Scottish Souvenir Emporium, over crowded, over heated and over priced is the answer to, one shudders to think.
The Black Hole of Calcutta, perhaps?
NB The piper portrayed above was not one of the mendicants mentioned above but borrowed from flickr. Possibly photographed in Oz
Labels: Embra, Mendicant Pipers
Friday, July 06, 2007
This image from Flickr is not the Princes Street Mendicant Piper-thankyou 'Cam McAzie' .Mores the pity as he might play a bit better than the PSMP, not that would be very difficult. Get a pig and kick it and you will have a much more harmonious melody.
He was in Waverley Station plying his trade as the weather was inclement. Two Japanese visitors hurried past, fingers in ears ignoring the offertory violin case. It seemed to me that one was humming a tune to the other as they headed for the Waverley Steps and safety :It was familiar, yes , the old Scottish air:
' Will you no come back again'
A message to the piper in a language he can understand.
With the emphasis on the
NO
He was in Waverley Station plying his trade as the weather was inclement. Two Japanese visitors hurried past, fingers in ears ignoring the offertory violin case. It seemed to me that one was humming a tune to the other as they headed for the Waverley Steps and safety :It was familiar, yes , the old Scottish air:
' Will you no come back again'
A message to the piper in a language he can understand.
With the emphasis on the
NO
Labels: Embra, Mendicant Piper
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
'So you are Huttonian' the Piper said. 'We meet at last' There was something menacing in his tone which sent shivers down my back. His eyes were narrowed, his Sporran bristled (it looked look covered with pubic hair to my untutored eye) aggressively. I looked down to his violin case usually illiberally sprinkled with 5 p pieces and the odd pound coin that he had put there suggestively. No coins: just a shiny, sharp, gleaming edged Claymore-straight from Brave Heart, via the Simply Scottish Souvenir Shoppe. Its handle was towards its owner. I turned to edge away-a growl sent a further shiver down my spine: there was the wee dog and its mendicant master blocking my retreat. It was not so wee close up, filling its combat jacket, a bit of something-it looked like human skin, protruding through its upper fangs. ' Give Beggars a bad name, he does' said the mendicant- '****ing Blog. What does he know about us..slaving away.honest living' 'Too right. No taste for proper music, ****ing tone deaf Sassanach'said the Piper' He needs to mend his manners'
I looked for escape. Not a chance. We were hemmed in by Oriental tourists. Cell phone cameras at the ready eager to record a bit of genuine traditional Scottish happy slapping; much more fun than even live Origami, any day.
The wee dog growled louder, the Mendicant reached into his pocket, a gleam of metal, and the Piper's hand closed around the handle of the Claymore.
'Wake up' said the wife as she brought in my tea. Early start-you have an appointment in Embra. I struggled awake and counted my limbs.
I avoided Princes Street this morning.Coming and going. And bought
two copies of the Big Issue.
Pathetic, isn't it.
I looked for escape. Not a chance. We were hemmed in by Oriental tourists. Cell phone cameras at the ready eager to record a bit of genuine traditional Scottish happy slapping; much more fun than even live Origami, any day.
The wee dog growled louder, the Mendicant reached into his pocket, a gleam of metal, and the Piper's hand closed around the handle of the Claymore.
'Wake up' said the wife as she brought in my tea. Early start-you have an appointment in Embra. I struggled awake and counted my limbs.
I avoided Princes Street this morning.Coming and going. And bought
two copies of the Big Issue.
Pathetic, isn't it.
Labels: Embra, Mendicant Pipers
Monday, May 28, 2007
He who Pays the Piper-is in a tiny minority
A quick trip to Embra this morning to pass over more specie to the dentist but at least he makes undergoing a filling an enjoyable experience.
En route down Princes Street I checked up on the former mendicant and his wee dog whom I last saw a month ago selling the Big Issue and with no sign of a begging bowl. I thought then what an improved sense of self esteem he must have holding down a job and no longer dependent on hand outs from passers by. Stuff self esteem it appears. Begging brings in the Bucks. So it is out with the bowl. And has also requisitioned the coat he had previously given to the wee dog; the latter had to make do with a tatty blanket.
The Mendicant Piper was apparently having a bad day. On my way West he was desperately trying to prise heavy metal out of a group of Japanese?/ Chinese? tourists all clicking away with their digitals. With this smart push button technology it is possible to shoot with one hand and cover your more sensitive ear with the other-at least you then get 'A Scottish Soldier' mixed with the 'Bonnie Bonnie Banks' abominably murdered in mono rather than stereo. The MP just did not get it-had he stopped at the first wince they would have paid him handsomely out of sheer relief. But he soldiered on with his entire Medley and drove them out of sight or at least out of earshot-across the road just about covers it
When I returned. He had gone. And so had the Beggar and his dog from their pitch outside Jenners exactly opposite. Perhaps they work in cahoots-the piper drives the tourists across the Princes Street to escape the caterwauling of the MP. They then express their relief by topping up the bowl with large denominations(and pat the dog)
Later they meet in the pub and enjoy splitting the proceeds.
So perhaps not such a bad day after all.
A quick trip to Embra this morning to pass over more specie to the dentist but at least he makes undergoing a filling an enjoyable experience.
En route down Princes Street I checked up on the former mendicant and his wee dog whom I last saw a month ago selling the Big Issue and with no sign of a begging bowl. I thought then what an improved sense of self esteem he must have holding down a job and no longer dependent on hand outs from passers by. Stuff self esteem it appears. Begging brings in the Bucks. So it is out with the bowl. And has also requisitioned the coat he had previously given to the wee dog; the latter had to make do with a tatty blanket.
The Mendicant Piper was apparently having a bad day. On my way West he was desperately trying to prise heavy metal out of a group of Japanese?/ Chinese? tourists all clicking away with their digitals. With this smart push button technology it is possible to shoot with one hand and cover your more sensitive ear with the other-at least you then get 'A Scottish Soldier' mixed with the 'Bonnie Bonnie Banks' abominably murdered in mono rather than stereo. The MP just did not get it-had he stopped at the first wince they would have paid him handsomely out of sheer relief. But he soldiered on with his entire Medley and drove them out of sight or at least out of earshot-across the road just about covers it
When I returned. He had gone. And so had the Beggar and his dog from their pitch outside Jenners exactly opposite. Perhaps they work in cahoots-the piper drives the tourists across the Princes Street to escape the caterwauling of the MP. They then express their relief by topping up the bowl with large denominations(and pat the dog)
Later they meet in the pub and enjoy splitting the proceeds.
So perhaps not such a bad day after all.
Labels: Beggar and wee dog, Embra, Mendicant Piper
