Just Another Saturday

Or not, as the case may be. Managed to haul myself out of my kip at a decent time this morning to head for Craigroyston High School in Muirhouse for the North Edinburgh / STUC Anti Poverty conference. A very healthy turn out was addressed by Terry Anderson from the STUC, local activist Willie Black, Kez Dugdale MSP and Independent columnist and author Owen Jones. A very stirring contribution from Owen in which he advocated a house building programme, jobs creation and better pay for low paid workers, all of which would contribute to rebuilding the economy. Difficult to disagree with the logic of his strategy. Might be a bit optimistic to expect this message to be heard or understood at Downing Street.

Unfortunately I couldn't hang around for the interesting looking workshop sessions as I'd already agreed to visit the Scottish Women's Aid Open Day. It was pleasure to meet everyone there and have a chat about the excellent work they do in Edinburgh and across Scotland, supporting women and their children who have been victims of domestic abuse.

In tackling the big issues, services and budgets often involving millions of pounds and services to hundreds or thousands of people it's sometimes easy to forget about the satisfaction that can be taken from a relatively small local success. This week I've had confirmation that we have secured the required funding to install a new set of goal posts at the pitch at Clovenstone. Very pleased to have been able to support their request and look forward to this improvement being delivered and used by local teams. Talking of which, starting to look forward to tomorrow's big cup tie at Easter Road with the usual mix of excitement and apprehension. I may be in a minority among Hearts fans but I really enjoy the trip to Easter Road, the atmosphere and tension will be intense. Here's hoping we're still in the Scottish Cup by tomorrow night.

And Finally - A Christmas Thought.....

If you REALLY loved your child, you'd prepare them for the real world by gluing all their advent doors shut and shouting "THAT'S LIFE KIDDO" 

Brought to us courtesy of October Jones on Twitter.