Alastair McPhee's Machinations

Assisted Death

2010-02-01T23:25:00.001Z

Sir Terry Prachett through Tony Robinson is making a passionate speech regarding the right to die. I will add the speech in full when it becomes available for now however I would simply wish to associate myself with everything that is being said. I am also delighted that this subject is finally being aired so publicly.

The Joy of Scotland

2009-10-17T15:27:00.001+01:00

It might be October but Karen and I are down at Lomond shores on the banks of the Loch. What a glorious day. Having a plate of soup and a coffee. Scotland is well worth a visit never mind your foreign holidays.

A lack of parking is clogging up Bishopbriggs.

2009-10-16T11:07:00.003+01:00

In the plans for the town centre I see that there appears to have been no suggestion that there be any substantial increase in the amount of public car parking. Perhaps I am reading this wrong but during the by-election I was keen to see a multi storey car park at the centre of any town centre redevelopment. Recognising that this is crucial to the future of retailing in Bishopbriggs town centre would ensure improved transport links for shoppers, office workers and commuters who could use it as a park and ride. Let's hope Muse do see the benefit of building a substantial multi-storey facility with an adequate road network obscured from view by other building and adequate tree planting. Even better make the car park a design feature.

Here We Go Again

2009-10-12T16:39:00.002+01:00

No words are really needed are they? Really makes you wonder why they didnt get it right all the other times it has been dug up. Apparently according to town gossip it is because Network Rail would not allow them access under the bridge to solve the problem before. Would love to know how much money that this is costing the rate payer, relaying and re-lining the road yet again.

Are Parks just for children?

2009-10-07T23:02:00.001+01:00

Gorgeous day in Bishopbriggs so I decide to take my half hour break in our local park.

What was strange however is the number of people who find it strange that a bloke is eating in the park. One mother in particular kept watching me almost as if I was some sort of child molester.

Are we now at the point where parks are only the domain of children and there neurotic parents?

Volunteers Needed

2009-10-06T10:29:00.001+01:00

With myself and Morag having to raise much needed funding we are now even more dependant on the goodwill of our fellow volunteers. Sadly what this means is that as just one volunteer was off this morning due to a chest infection I am having to record with Vi rather than working to fill the building and raise the funding we need.

So if there is anyone out there willing to be a sound technician or even better willing to both record and present please get in touch 01415630306.

I have eye brows

2009-09-30T19:01:00.001+01:00

What i get up to in thethe call centre.

Glasgow Panopticon

2009-09-19T19:20:00.001+01:00

Just to prove that Karen was with us at the Panopticon today. I thought this might have been funny. I managed to get a full nights sleep last night for the first time in weeks I guess I was exhausted after my first sixty hour week in many a long year. I have also been really appreciative of those Cue and Review colleagues who have kept things going in the last week when I have been working what is in effect my third job now. Shout out to The Merchants House of Glasgow for their donation in the last week. Just hoping that they will be the first of many.

Glasgow Police Museum

2009-09-19T16:23:00.001+01:00

Contains a copy of the Stone of Destiny. Kay Mathieson used to baby sit my mother. She was the get away driver.

Doors Open Day

2009-09-19T15:12:00.001+01:00

First of all we have been to The Panopticon really interesting picture is of a twenties costume.

Glasgow Open Day

2009-09-19T14:41:00.001+01:00

Well worth a visit

Glasgow Open Day

2009-09-19T14:38:00.001+01:00

Well worth a visit

Richard Dimbleby lecture by HRH The Prince of Wales

2009-07-08T23:24:00.002+01:00

Yet again when given the time and medium to talk the Duke of Rothesay presents a very strong case for social enterprise and the environment. Can I urge people who have not watched the lecture tonight to watch on the IPlayer.

Walk Along the Clyde

2009-06-28T01:22:00.001+01:00

Karen and I were in Glasgow today and decided to head down to the new Clyde pedestrian bridge. Went along from there to see Transformers 2, which is not one that I would recommend. Not the sunniest of evenings bracing more than anything.

2009-06-27T23:51:00.001+01:00

2008-06-22T12:39:00.000+01:00

Click on the BBC News Channel

I was watching this programme this morning and heard all about the "cloud" apparently this is the latest thing in storing your documents online so as you can access them anywhere you have internet access. I had heard of Google docs before but as the programme mentioned my only concern would be what happens if you cant access the internet. I guess you can save a copy of the document on the machine that you are working on but surely that defeats the purpose. I do like the idea that others can access the file and make changes as collaborators this will come in useful where Morag or I are working on materials with volunteers or with our factors or clients.

What I am especially liking is the fact that I can immediately publish my thought to my blog and even more impressive if I change the document it will change on my blog also without me having to do make changes on that also.

Miracle’ rescue for sailor swept off round-the-world yacht

2007-12-30T00:54:00.000Z

The Herald - Scotland's Leading Quality Daily Newspaper

Certainly one way to find out what your volunteers are doing 20 years on. David Jack mentioned in this article was one of our sound technicians back in 1985/86, was a great guy then and delighted to hear that he is now safe and well. Should you read this get in touch David.

Fund St Margaret's Ward, St Margaret of Scotland Hospice

2007-10-31T09:46:00.000Z

Fund St Margaret's Ward, St Margaret of Scotland Hospice

One of our volunteers received excellent care in this Hospice please give them your support.

The Herald : News: HEADLINE NEWS

2007-10-12T09:46:00.000+01:00

The Herald : News: HEADLINE NEWS

From the desk of Alastair to the pages of The Herald newspaper. In trying to highlight the problems faced by the service during the recent Postal Strike an article I wrote for the paper was published with a few edits. Anyone interested should note the actual site is www.cueandreview.org.uk

Slowly But Surely It Goes Up

2007-09-15T09:08:00.000+01:00

The advert on Smooth Radio 105.2 FM is still going out but now every second day. Morag tells me that since March when the print advert started appearing in the Newsquest titles and now also with the radio advert attracting further interest we have had a net gain of 50 visually impaired people paying their 70p per week to listen to our team reading national newspaper and magazines on audio formats.

While it is not the major breakthrough that I keep hoping for, we are still increasing the number of people paying for the service despite our demographic being the over 60’s if in fact not the over 75’s.

Only problem with this has been that I keep meeting people that have recognised that is it Morag and myself that are doing the advert. In particular my poor mother in law keeps commenting that in between listening to her favourite Sinatra number on Smooth she has to put up with my dulcet tones

Radio Man Mark Accepts The Listeners Votes And Will Run In An Emu Costume (from Evening Times)

2007-08-29T11:54:00.000+01:00

Radio Man Mark Accepts The Listeners Votes And Will Run In An Emu Costume (from Evening Times)

Cue and Review - “Print Speaking to the Blind” non – executive director Mark Hutton will be running in the Great Scottish Run next month. His friends at Cue and Review are delighted to call on readers to this item to support him and the Marie Curie Big Build Appeal by reading the article in the Evening Times and then to consider sponsoring him by visiting www.justgiving.com/markhutton2007 . Mark is already half way towards his target of £1,000 so please lend your support.

Listeners to the show that he produces on Smooth 105.2FM have decided that he should run in an emu costume so I think he needs all the support that we can give.

News from the Zoo and no that is not Dianes Bedroom

2007-08-28T19:11:00.000+01:00

Well i last much longer yesterday than i thought i would! got up just after 7am and we left the apartment just after 8. drove up to the hospital to pick up Diane's mum (1.5hrs) then took her mum to her house (30 mins) to pick up a few things and swap over to use her car to give it a run. then we drove to the zoo (2hrs) and by the time we got there and sorted out the wheelchair for her mum i was voting for a sit down and our sandwiches *grin* it was scorchio all day and i made sure i had lots of sun cream on but i noticed this morning that i have a white mark on my wrist where my bangles were yesterday so i must have caught some sun after all! wandered round the zoo until about 5.30, it was really nice and we both got some good piccies, i'll sort them out tonight and send you some. Diane even sneaked a couple of pictures of me as well when i wasn't looking so i'll send you them too *sigh* anyway - we drove almost back to Diane's house, to a nice pizza place that serves GIANT pizzas *happy grin* and had our dinner there before driving her mum back to the hospital, we dropped her off about 9.30pm and i walked her up to her room. then Diane and i drove back to her Mum's place, swapped cars again and drove back to here........................i don't think my head even hit the pillow before i was asleep about 11.30 or 12.

i hope you had a good day at work, or were you on holiday on monday? either way - i guess you're back home from work today as well by now....this time difference is weird back to front!!!!

we were going to go to the Royal Ontario Museum today but i slept in way too late so i think we're just bumming around, maybe going for a walk around the lake. it's not too warm or sunny today so it should be a bit easier to walk around than it was yesterday.

First Day of the Holiday in Canada Well at least when was compus mentus

2007-08-27T18:57:00.000+01:00

mornin from warm n sticky canada!

it's 7.37am here and we're up stupid early to go and pick up diane's mum before going to the zoo. i think we'll probably be back around 8 or 9, maybe later depending on traffic, so i won't get a chance to speak to you today unless you want to call me on diane's mobile?

we just bummed around here yesterday - went to costco for some foodstuff - you should have seen how BIG the tv's were *grin* think we can knock down some walls and fit in a 67"?????? then we went to the roots outlet store, sells clothes and bags - i bought the cutest litle t-shirt for kashi and one for ben too *happy sigh* got a couple of t-shirts for myself as well -you could buy 2 for $22, which is about 10 sterling, so not bad. good news is that there is an Old Navy really near here so I'll hit that at some point and get you some new stuff........and i've seen the perfect new bag to put it all in..........buger, now i sound even more like mum *sigh*

having a good time but i fell asleep about 10again last night - i don't think it's even jet lag, cause i'm usually like this when i start my holidays, aren't i? i'm sure i'll be able to stay up a bit later tonight.

off to make us some sandwiches for today -

The rest of this was deleted because it was soppy!

Smooth Goes It

2007-08-15T17:53:00.000+01:00

Morag and I went over to Smooth 105.2FM on Wednesday to record the 40 second listener recruitment advert that will be broadcast 4 times a day for ten weeks. Was great to be in a professional studio once again, all double glazed panels and Ikea style beach furniture, and even better no echo in the studios.

Hopefully we will be able to reach some of the 44,000 visually impaired people in the west of Scotland who will hopefully be interested in taking out a membership to the Sun Talking Newspaper to name but a few of our titles.

This was followed in the afternoon by a visit to the contact lens clinic who tell me that the scar on my right eyes needs to be looked after a bit more. So hey ho another visit there in three months.

Amy MacDonald at the Fort

2007-08-11T22:54:00.000+01:00

Callum’s birthday party was today and needless to say we had to head into the shops to get his present, not bad planning just but luck. The plan had been to get him some clothes out of FATFACE however it turns out they don’t start kids clothes till age 2, never mind eh. We did come across the finger puppet book that my goddaughter Kashi had. Along with a book that apparently squirts water seemed to go down well with his parents.

One of the advantages of shopping at the Borders Store at The Fort is that you usually get really good music which today turned out to be the best album ever, namely Amy MacDonald’s This is the Life. Fantastic singer and a great album, especially as she is a wee lass from the Briggs.

More from Callum's party once I find my cable to upload the pics.

Lucky Weekend

2007-07-30T14:19:00.000+01:00

Well it would appear that this has been a lucky weekend for me. Received an email from the National Lottery on Sunday, needless to say I expected to find that I had won the £18 million top prize in Friday nights Euromillions but not for me the top prize I had in fact won just £2. Never mind at least it is a bit or a return. Well that was until I checked the Cue and Review Weather Lottery today where I discovered, much to my delight, that I have won £20.

If anyone reading this article is interested in also winning up to £10,000 or supporting our talking newspapers service please follow the link above.

'Poison Prince' Amy Macdonald (c) Melodramtic Records 2007

2007-07-20T21:11:00.001+01:00

I came across Amy Macdonald during my regular google search for Bishopbriggs News. Apparently she is trying to get in the charts this Sunday. Would be great to have a Bishopbriggs Girl at No1. To get Amy to Number please go and use one of these two ways to have Bishopbriggs at No1.

2 easy online ways to get her single if you haven’t ready!

iTunes for just 79p at http://umguk.vice-versa.info/v-v/070717123910

and

Vertigo store (where you can listen to and grab an exclusive acoustic FAN ONLY version for 69p!) at http://umguk.vice-versa.info/v-v/070717124254

Do M&S Really Want To Come To Bishopbriggs, is there the profit in it for them?

2007-07-16T13:06:00.000+01:00

Every day when I come into the office or read our local paper I keep hearing how “the whole of Bishopbriggs wants a Marks and Spencer” this is even although I am from the town and Karen now lives here and to be honest we couldn’t care less. What does concern me is that the town centre of Bishopbriggs could become a wasteland if food retail outlets are allowed on the retail park. When planning permission was given for the Fine Fare to be built in the 1980’s the Community Council that I was part of warned that it would lead to the town centre supermarkets closing. Needless to say that is what happened and the closure of what was Galbraiths led to the other outlets in Churchill Way suffering badly. The many people who do tell me that they want this food outlets at the retail park should be aware that with most of the retirement flats being built near to the town centre they should be campaigning to keep the town centre shops (including food) open. What will happen when we lose all town centre shops and our elderly residents have to travel out of town to the retail park?

From reading the local paper and talking with some of our Councillors it would appear that Marks needs to be persuaded to move here, surely if the “whole of Bishopbriggs” did want a store they would be desperate to move in. I would much rather see a cinema go to the retail park along with a Pizza Hut, enabling people from throughout East Dunbartonshire to do their shopping and catch a meal and a film at the same time.

That’ll Be Shining Bright

2007-07-14T13:04:00.000+01:00

For those of us who are photophobic and at the same time also suffer from hayfever this is definitely not our favourite time of year. For the last few weeks I have spent my early evenings and weekends hiding behind the curtains trying to avoid the sun shining in through the windows. As for going out anywhere I am finding that the sunglasses, the baseball cap pulled over my face are only barely helping. Its not even just on sunny days, the sorts of days where it has just been raining and the streets and buildings are all shiny are even more painful. The other evening getting out of the car I was talking to our neighbour when my eyes started streaming, shortly after which I could not see a thing. I am also finding that the lighting in the office is far from ideal, with me having to switch the lights of any time I enter the room, you can imagine the comments that I am getting from the team, especially when Morag is in the room with me. Thankfully I am heading into the contact lens clinic on Wednesday so hopefully they can give me more advice on my options.

Talking Newspaper Goes Under the Microscope

2007-06-25T21:45:00.000+01:00

A Glasgow based but U.K. wide talking newspaper for the blind is presently encouraging people with an interest in receiving information in audio to take part in the survey that they are undertaking via the survey monkey website.

To join in and share your experience please follow the link below and answer the questions appropriate to you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=V9eMv1zi6r5wFSHV_2bl0N7w_3d_3d
The service would be most grateful for any feedback that groups and individuals can give us.

May Bank Holiday Weekend

2007-05-29T22:46:00.000+01:00

Interesting holiday weekend was had by the McPhee’s, car serviced, in-laws round for lunch and finally some time to have a good relax to ourselves.

Was really great to finally have a weekend where Karen and I could relax together, even with the outlaws round for lunch. Worked out well in fact Donald and I were left to watch Celtic just beat Dunfermline 1-0 in the Scottish Cup Final. while the ladies went out to Caulders Garden Centre to buy three pyrocanthus bushes. Which it turned out were my belated birthday present from Elizabeth and Donald, many thanks.

As they purchased one of the other bushes last year and as Donald helped plant them in, this is now known as Grandpa’s hedge, please take note Kashi and Ben. Half was planted the year Kashi was born the other when Ben was born. Let’s see how big it is when you come to visit.

Ben McKellar's Website

2007-05-25T10:37:00.000+01:00

Ben McKellar's Website

I came across the latest update to young Ben's website the other day. Now speaking from experience is it a good idea to give the wee lad a complex, FATBOY?

Its Not Just the Politicians!

2007-05-21T14:28:00.000+01:00

I am delighted to read in todays Glasgow Herald that at least three people from throughout East Dunbartonshire totally disagree with the decision made by the new Labour/Tory East Dunbartonshire Council on Thursday night. Like one letter writer I will only be putting my grey bin out when it is full otherwise I will be using my recycling boxes (no matter how badly designed) and my green bin for garden waste.

Former Cue and Review Volunteer Raises Money for Cancer Hospice

2007-05-19T14:15:00.000+01:00

One of Karens gals, Jenny McKie has gone out of her way to support the local Marie Curie hospice where her grandfather was cared for. Im sure Karen would agree that the group that we had that year were a fantastic bunch. Well Done Jenny keep up the good work.

Labour Tory Administration Raise Council Tax

2007-05-19T09:00:00.000+01:00

The Herald : News: HEADLINE NEWS

Day One of the new Labour/Tory administration in East Dunbartonshire and what do they do raise the Council Tax to pay for weekly bin collections. The Liberal Democrats may have allowed the officials to choose the wrong receptacles but the team tried to keep the costs down for the Council Tax payer and by increasing the recycling rate. As Vaughan Moody in his quote points out the £1million pound projected surplus that the Liberal Democrats had put in place has been wiped out overnight.

You have to wonder will the Labour administration that ran up a £9million pound deficit when they were last in control do the same all over again. Are we about to see Council Tax rates rise every time the new Labour/Tory administration respond to the irrational fears of the populace. According to this weeks Labour Herald (otherwise known as the Kirkintilloch Herald) one lady is delighted to see weekly bin collections back because she found maggots in her bin, lady there is only one reason you had maggots you didn’t clean your bins out. When the same paper doesn’t say is that 40% of people who have responded to their online poll don’t want weekly bin collections back.

Is the next thing the scrapping of the move of Bishopbriggs High School to the Thomas Muir site, if the associated land sale doesn’t happen does that mean that we will need to find £20 million pounds via increases in the Council Tax?

43 Today

2007-05-09T22:43:00.000+01:00

Well it was my 43rd birthday today and for the first time in a while I was not able to get the day off work. Mainly because the annual west of Scotland gathering for the sensory impaired is taking place in Glasgow on Thursday and Friday and we had to get a couple of hundred information cassettes copied and labelled along with ensuring our display stand and powerbeam presentation was up and running.

Fun and games did ensue though as with another round of heavy rain it would appear that the gutters at the back of the building are once again causing a blockage. Trying to get someone out to fix this is as usual interesting to say the least.

Karen who is away working in Horsham organised my card and pressies before hand so I was able to open them first thing in the morning, House of Cards the trilogy starring Ian Richardson and the Catherine Tait sketches for Comic Relief were my present and a fantastic Catherine Tait as the Gran card. Best card she has got me in 17 years together.

Bishopbriggs on the Map

2007-05-09T08:57:00.000+01:00

Have you heard the news, Bishopbriggs get its name on the map this week for being the counting centre that had to send candidates and their representatives home first. Every news bulletin that has gone out since 4.30am on Friday morning has shown the Chief Executive of East Dunbartonshire Council informing everyone that the machines just couldn’t cope.

Having stayed up till 5.30am to watch the results I then gave up and decided to sleep until 10.30am on Friday morning knowing that the result was due to come in till at least 12 noon. In phoning the council I decided to wait for the news on the constituency result before heading down. Having arranged an alert from the BBC website I then discovered that the result didn’t come through until 3.15pm. Needless to say with Karen coming home later that evening I decided to Hoover and wash the car, that being a far more productive use of my time.

As for the outcome of the elections I have to admit that I am not surprised. We always new that PR would mean that we would lose seats on the Council. Just not quite so many, anyone who says that it wasn’t to do with the badly planned roll out of the recycling scheme is being naïve.

ePolitix.com - SNP will 'provoke conflict with Westminster'

2007-04-30T20:34:00.000+01:00

ePolitix.com - SNP will 'provoke conflict with Westminster'

As you may have gathered by now I am a big fan of Jo Swinson the Member of Parliament for East Dunbartonshire. Not only is she technically savvy as demonstrated by her recent award but she talks my kind of sense.

Do we really want three years of economic slowdown, as business decides to wait until after a referendum before deciding to invest or not in Scotland. Do we really want three years of bitter wrangling between Gordon Brown and Alex Salmond?

I'll be voting NO to that on Thursday when I vote Scottish Liberal Democrat to return Cathy McInnes to Holyrood as our next MSP.

Karen tells me that her Horsham would vote SNP if they had a vote, apparently my wife has also made it plain that if Scotland goes independant we are moving to Horsham!

Kirkintilloch Today News - Jonathan's all set for race challenge

2007-04-22T20:34:00.000+01:00

Kirkintilloch Today News - Jonathan's all set for race challenge

Jonathan was with us earlier this year on school work experience and was thought of very highliy by all members of the team. If you would like to sponsor him please send him an email.

Bank Manager Thinks I am Great

2007-04-18T00:11:00.000+01:00

Its definitely a bit worrying when the Corporate Director for the Bank of Scotland comes in to your office all smiles and bearing gifts, that's right bearing gifts but today that is what happened to Morag and I. When we let him know that we had been able to fill the building with tenants he arranged to come out to see us and presented us both with a rather nice bottle of champagne. Not only that but he is delighted with everything that we have achieved over the last two and a half years as landlords of the Crowhill Business Centre. Will be interesting to see if we get the same treatment from the Council now that we have paid back every penny that we owed them, rather than closing the place and walking off.

I have also spent today working with workwithus.org.uk to update the fundraising aspects of our website so now if you want to organise an event for us or arrange some online sponsor forms we can now do it. All in all a very productive day.

Wedding boners - Ślubne wpadki

2007-04-13T17:02:00.001+01:00

Just had to post this what a classic

Definately a Fraser Girl

2007-04-03T23:34:00.000+01:00

Well its definately the case now my god daughter is not only a McKellar but definately a Fraser girl. Garish tops and ready to go out shopping.

By the way Happy 30th Birthday to Louise and to Jennifer for yesterday. Today would have also been my Dad's 75th Birthday.

Candidates to be the next MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden

2007-04-03T22:58:00.000+01:00

Strathkelvin & Bearsden

For some of us this may prove to be interesting reading. In particular I would love to know why the Tory needs to hide her identity?

Good luck to Cathy McInnes she will be getting my vote.

Bionic Woman Shows Her Metal

2007-04-02T23:23:00.000+01:00

Went to see Mum again in Hospital she is definately on the mend having now been moved to the rehab ward. Have to say that the Jubilee building is far cleaner looking, better laid out and most importantly easier to find your way round than the old building where she is now. Hopefully she gets home on Tuesday.

Aunt Jean you are a total star!

Epitomy of Health

2007-04-01T23:11:00.000+01:00

Karen may have been loaded with the cold today but as it was a gorgeous sunny spring afternoon we decided to head down to EK and help Aunt Sandra shift some garden rubbish. Like all good aunties should Karen (and in fact myself) got a wee reward for our services in the form of lunch at the coofee shop at Stewartfield Loch. Being the epitomy of health we all decided to walk round the loch afterwards.

Thanks Aunt Sandra

Bionic Woman

2007-03-23T12:51:00.000Z

When I watched Lyndsay Wagner in the 70s being the bionic woman it never occured to me that my own mother would one day take on similar qualities. Well on Thursday that is exactly what happened, Mum had the first of what may prove to be four major operations to replace worn out joints. Having been in the hospital I am really surprised at the number of people who are having this operation as a matter of course.

Karen also came with me having arrived back tonight from Horsham after spending another week down there. Thanks Karen for coming straight from the airport.

S1Jobs Helps Recruit Volunteers

2007-03-14T12:42:00.000Z

Bishopbriggs based charity for blind and partially sighted people Cue and Review was delighted today to upload a series of volunteer vacancies with S1Jobs. Vacancies include Sound Technicians, Presenters, Fundraisers and Marketers.
Not all volunteers will be required to come out to the Bishopbriggs studios of Cue and Review however as many of them will be encouraged to work in their local communities to generate interest in the charity.
From their four digital studios Cue and Review - Print Speaking to the Blind were able to help 5,000 visally impaired people gain access to print information last year. To maintain this level of service they need to not just increase their funding base but also increase the number of people becoming members of their talking newspaper service.
For further information follow these links
http://www.s1jobs.com/job/187516183.shtml
http://www.s1jobs.com/job/187518669.shtml
http://www.s1jobs.com/job/187517016.html
http://www.s1jobs.com/job/187517017.html
http://www.s1jobs.com/job/187518666.html
Notes to Editors:
Cue and Review Recording Service is Scotland's largest independently funded talking newspaper group, transcribing fifteen print magazines and newspapers into audio formats for the benefit of visually and reading impaired people.
Cue and Review Recording Service is one of over 600 talking newspapers and magazine groups throughout the United Kingdom, but the only one providing the specific titles that it records.
Cue and Review Recording Service is based in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow. It is a Scottish registered charity and a company limited by guarantee but without share capital. As a non statutory organisation it must raise every penny it spends. Income is drawn from membership fees, donations, street collections, individual grants and from transcription work carried out for public and private sector clients. This helps them meet their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In 2006 over 5,000 Scots were helped by the charity specifically through its recording of public/private sector information.
Since January 2004 the service has introduced a membership fee which presently stands at 70p per week enabling people to gain access to the full range of audio titles.

Alastair Acutally has to go to the studio

2007-03-12T12:45:00.000Z

Some of you may know that not long ago I joined Facebook and I have to admit I am quite impressed by the way in which this works. Having recently put two events up I will be interested to see what response we get. One event is our bi- annual family get together on Easter Sunday the other is our month long recruitment of volunteer sound technicians and presenters which are badly needed at the moment.

I mean you would think that after twenty five years of doing this job I would be above doing the sound technician role (only joking I thoroughly enjoy it).

Aunties Slash Niece Day Out

2007-03-11T13:14:00.000Z

Although Elizabeth may be in Hong Kong the annual aunties/niece day out to the craft fair at the SECC still took place on Sunday. Karen headed down to the Clyde to meet up with Aunties Ann, Sandra and Margaret. Although I have only been once to be the bag man for this event, I still look forward to Karen going. You see if the pie man is there I get one of his delicious peach or cherry pies or even better one of the pork and apple pies. Sadly he wasn’t there.

Karen did come home with her usual range of purchases with today her special purchase of a new bag made from hemp. I on the other hand got to spend the day working on a revamp of our charity’s website which I am hoping to upload soon. Earlier on in the day I was able to hook up via msn messenger and web cam with Elizabeth and Donald in Hong Kong. I still find it really strange that despite them being on the other side of the world we can still have a face to face conversation.

Now I am more than aware that Ruth has been somewhat busy in recent weeks you know giving birth to our new nephew, but… perhaps the family cold all now save up and by the Hong Kong McKellars a new super duper computer with a sound card that works. I loved being able to see my god daughter Kashi this morning but it does get a bit strange trying to teach her my latest nursery rhyme by typing the words on a screen for a wee one who cant yet read!

Finally by the time that we all logged on today our new nephew Benjamin Charles Alexander McKellar had already gone to bed. So all I have seen today is the picture that is available on his website at http://www.benmckellar.com/ .

Ben Arrives Safely

2007-03-02T13:19:00.000Z

Baby Ben is born! To proud parents Ruth and David McKellar baby born at 09.41 hrs HK time and weighed 3.34kg all is well!

Lords Reform - Jo Swinson, East Dunbartonshire - HearFromYourMP.com

2007-02-27T14:04:00.000Z

Lords Reform - Jo Swinson, East Dunbartonshire - HearFromYourMP.com

Jo has used this website to ask for comments regarding Lords reform. As you will read by following the link perhaps my views go against the majority. Yet Again!

Save the Red Arrows

2007-02-20T11:15:00.000Z

The RED ARROWS aerobatic squadron of the Royal Air Force brings huge pride and international prestige to the UK, but the Treasury bean-counters in our beloved Government want to axe the Reds to save a couple of shillings. The personnel, pilots and aircraft of the squadron are all capable of deployment elsewhere in the RAF, so the money really saved would be peanuts. Cynics might observe that the move is a covert campaign to expunge from the public mind a potent and highly visible symbol of the very best of the Royal Air Force as an independent Air Arm of a United Kingdom giving up its identity to Europe... 10 Downing St website has an online petition. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveTheReds/ Please sign it. Don't let them get away with this. Please could you pass this on to those you know who also care.

The above paragraph was sent to me in a chain email, while I agree with signing the petition I dont agree with the anti - European sentiment that is in it.

Choose a Bright Future

2007-02-19T00:00:00.001Z

A Real Difference is what we have made in the Scottish Parliament.

Aunt Jessie R.I.P

2007-02-15T08:53:00.000Z

The following is taken from The Herald Newspaper. This is my Mum's Bridesmaid with Robert beng my Dad's Best man.

FRASER JESS. Suddenly, at Stirling Royal Infirmary, on Friday, 9th February, 2007, Jess, much loved wife of Robert, dearly loved mum of Shona, loving sister of Peggy. Funeral service at St Columba Parish Church, Kirkintilloch, on Friday, 16th February, at 12.45pm. Thereafter to Falkirk Crematorium, arriving at 2pm. To which all friends are respectfully invited.

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Just returning your call... to the UK

2007-02-14T12:05:00.000Z

BBC NEWS Magazine Just returning your call... to the UK

So i am not alone then! glad to see the sense is prevailing in my case it was not a language issue but a lack of local knowledge issue and the fact that they were so determined to work to a script.

LifeBlind -

2007-02-10T22:20:00.001Z

As you will gather i have become a bit of a fan of youtube. Some readers may know that when we had the BBC Children in Need funding we were able to employ Kevin Miles as our youth worker. Kevin's band Lifeblind has sadly split but I must admit this track I do quite like. So Kevin if you read this get in touch!

Bus Giant Supports Parents In School Row (from Evening Times)

2007-02-08T22:22:00.000Z

Bus Giant Supports Parents In School Row (from Evening Times)

What the heck is my party playing at?

As a boy I can remember the turning circle at what was then the children’s home being built and at that time it became a major resource of the Woodhill community, allowing an increased number of buses to serve our area. The suggestion that this piece of land be sold off to make way for space for the school while land on the other side is sold to housing is totally nonsensical. I have also read that the new school will have to share sports facilities with a school across the road, due to land being sold, is this really the case?

In this blog I have already intimated that having cycled to school on a daily basis for three years from primary seven onwards I have no sympathy with those parents who are suggesting that the distance that their children will have to walk is an issue. As before if there is adequate lighting and pavements on Westerhill Road I say let them walk and cycle like I did. While we are at it I would probably create special double yellow lines to fine all those 4x4 drivers who clog up the roads around the schools and our side streets at the moment.

While I support the aims of my party at the Scottish and national level I am becoming extremely exasperated by the decisions that our Councillors have taken regarding the major changes in Bishopbriggs. Can they do a John Reid and argue that the East Dunbartonshire officers are not fit for purpose or are is it just that our team are consistently picking the wrong option?

I will be voting for Cathy McInnes as our Holyrood candidate as I firmly believe that we need as many Lib Dems as possible to ensure we get Local Income Tax but come on guys starts taking the right decisions!

Online Weather Lottery Goes Live

2007-02-08T01:07:00.000Z

Now you can join the Cue and Review – Print Speaking to the Blind Weather Lottery, right now, online.

Not only do you get the chance to win up to £10,000 but you can now do it immediately from the comfort of your home or office computer.

At the moment we really need your support to keep things going and unlike other lotteries you know that any lottery line you buy with us will have a direct impact on the work of our charity.

Apply to join online by following the link at the bottom of the page

Torchlight Vigil update -week 3

2007-02-07T11:08:00.001Z

Organisers of this week's (Monday 5th) torchlight vigil at the site of the new Bishopbriggs Academy will be holding the third vigil next Monday evening and the following week, when planning permission to sell off this land will be debated by East Dunbartonshire Council.

Land at the new Academy is planned to be sold to builders for houses, while pupils are left to cross a busy main road to use the sports field of a nearby primary school.

One of the benefits parents were told before the school was moved was that the extra space would be used for extra playing fields.

The silent torchlight vigils will be held at 7pm on Wester Cleddens Road opposite the old Thomas Muir building.

Comment from Alastair

I am giving serious thought to attending this!

It's so fun! farting baby.

2007-02-03T18:01:00.001Z

Who said this was me? Wait till I get you.

New leisure centre on track

2007-02-03T17:44:00.000Z

News - Kirkintilloch Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More

I am delighted to see that Cllr. John Morrison and his team of Liberal Democrat Councillors have kept their promise and been able to create this brand new sports centre for the people of Kirkintilloch. So many people whinged and moaned that Kirkintilloch never got any resources spent on it by the Liberal Democrat Council, it will be interesting to see what coverage the Kirkintilloch Herald gives to the fact that it was a Liberal Democrat led administration that built their new 25m pool, five a side pitches and tennis courts but to name of few of the new facilities.

Would I not also be right in suggesting that the same Councillors have been involved in the creation of the new Arts Centre for the town?

www.art-martinrolt.co.uk

2007-02-01T20:35:00.001Z

Karen just sent me this link to her new colleague's website. I have to admit his artwork is right up my street.

www.art-martinrolt.co.uk

Ming Campbell MP: A timetable for withdrawal from Iraq

2007-02-01T20:05:00.001Z

Just noticed that our great leader has uploaded a new video online. Comments are welcomed.

3,000 East Dunbartonshire young people to miss out on Scottish elections (Jo Swinson)

2007-01-30T19:27:00.000Z

3,000 East Dunbartonshire young people to miss out on Scottish elections (Jo Swinson)

We may disagree over Low Moss Prison, but I am delighted to see that Jo has raised this discriminatory practice in Parliament. From past experience when you can have adults asking you as the candidate who they should vote for outside the polling station because they dont have a clue, and when people think that you have responsibility for defence when you are standing for the local council it is about time that we allowed 16 ad 17 year olds the right to vote. More often they are more aware of their local community than many commuters.

Bishopbriggs Academy Planning Objections

2007-01-27T23:04:00.001Z

As you know I have been blogging information on the Bishopbriggs Academy decision. Now that I have realised you can blog video i thought I would include this. The video has been taken from the YouTube video submitted by Donald MacDonald a campaigner against the school being on this site. I have to admit that the video has been well thought through and rather than complaining about the distance from the rest of Bishopbriggs which I am in two minds about I am pleased that Donald has centred on the crazy proposal to sell of land and use some of the Woodhill Primary land instead. I also wouldn't like to be a resident of Torr Road.

Bishopbriggs Academy Planning Objections

2007-01-27T22:49:00.001Z

Bishopbriggs High - my view

2007-01-27T13:04:00.000Z

Bishopbriggs High - my view

I have recently posted comments on James' stories regarding this and Bishopbriggs High School. I will be very interested to see if they get published and what feedback I get if any.

The NHS failed my dying sister

2007-01-21T00:04:00.000Z

janetstreetporter.com Janet Street Porter Janet Street-Porter

I have just come across this article on the Janet Street Porter website its certainly worth a read.

Tiiiimmmmmbrrrrr

2007-01-11T22:49:00.000Z

When you become a landlord of 17 business units the strangest things take on the greatest importance. This week with the 80 mph winds that have been hitting Scotland it has been the 30ft pine tree at the front of the Cue and Review Recording Service building car park. Since taking over the building I have thought that this tree would be the perfect one to be decorated as a Christmas tree. Sadly that is now unlikely to happen.

Over the last week it has become obvious that it has taken a buffeting from the wind and is now leaning in my opinion dangerously. After asking help from the Council which merely confirmed what I knew, we are now waiting on a tree surgeon coming along to cut the tree down. The only problem is that the company is rather busy at the moment and we are now left waiting another day before they come. Let’s just hope that they can act before any damage occurs.

New Relative Discovered

2007-01-10T09:00:00.000Z

Some readers may know that some time ago I sent my DNA off to be tested as part of the McPhee/McDuffie DNA project. Recently we got some information back that would suggest that I appear to be related to John Duffy born 1841 Baie de Chaleur, Nova Scotia in Canada. Cool or what?

It would be great if more McPhee's would participate in this project so as we can build up and even more detailed history of the Clan. For further information on how you can join in click the link in the headline and visit the DNA result website.

Surfer Dude Dai

2007-01-08T23:13:00.000Z

First day back in the office, I won't say back at work. No major disasters appear to have happened and our debts are slowly but surely coming down. I even signed the new loan agreement today enabling our overdraft to be cleared off. By March our largest debt of the past few years should be paid off much to our satisfaction.

Just been catching up with our old friend Dai on MSN he started teaching History back in September at Coundon Court School in the West Midlands. Great to hear from him and catch up on some of his news. Brendan (who is heading home from the ship) is apparently in Singapore Airport at the moment isnt he lucky.

TV's Magnus Magnusson dies at 77

2007-01-07T21:50:00.000Z

BBC NEWS UK TV's Magnus Magnusson dies at 77

Really sorry to read this news tonight, while I never was on Mastermind I did have the pleasure of listening to Sir Magnus talking at the Concert Hall and met him briefly afterwards. Like many people I loved the programme, loved playing the game and it has to be said had a wry smile whenever our office received his mail in error.

Rest in peace sir you will be much missed.

Alastair Wins the Lottery

2007-01-07T08:22:00.000Z

One of these days it will be the big one, at the end of my Christmas holiday my dream number came up last night in the Lotto draw winning me £2 and at the start of my boliday my Euromillions came up with me winning £7 there. Why could it not have been the jackpot?

Hooked on Big Brother

2007-01-06T23:33:00.000Z

Its now official I have got hooked on Celebrity Big Brother. Putting 79 year old Ken Russell , Cleo Roccos and Leo Sayer in with Jade and her family should be fun. Particularly when they are paired with the toffs Germaine Jackson and Shilpa Shetty, this will be fun.

Fury Over Executive Green Light For New 100m Jail (from Evening Times)

2007-01-06T00:00:00.000Z

Fury Over Executive Green Light For New 100m Jail (from Evening Times)

This article was written by Jonathan Paisley of the Evening Times and I have to admit that a I love how he appears to have spoken to a minority of people in Bishopbriggs. I notice that the number of people who signed Billy's petition is not mentioned. Speaking with volunteers at the time many of them took the view that a secure up to date prison was better than what we have at the moment. I also took the view that as we have Greater Glasgow criminals we need Greater Glasgow jails to house them in

While I would have been happier with no prison at all, the present prison is WWII huts in which 330 prisoners are housed. I am delighted that we are now doing something to improve security and the conditions in which they are required to live.

I am also delighted that the benefit of having the prison officers living locally will continue.

Finally I note that reporting is not mentioning the full cost of the relief road the amount pledged is a drop in the bucket when it comes to funding this.

New Look for 2007

2007-01-05T10:12:00.000Z

I have made a number of changes to my website at alastaircmcphee.co.uk including adding early slides taken by my father and a contents page. Go take a look and tell me what you think please.

Fellow TNer is Honoured

2006-12-31T12:00:00.000Z

Congratulations to Alan Michael former chair of the Scottish Talking Newspaper Group and TNAUK. We may have had a number of differences over the years but there is no doubting his commitment to the movement well done Alan. You always knew how to throw a good conference, Inverness will always be in Karen and I hearts.

How to check a babies diaper

2006-12-29T20:43:00.001Z

Came across this picture on a fellow McPhee's website. Just about sums up how I feel on the issue!

Row As Stranded Train Commuters Miss Bus (from Evening Times)

2006-12-27T00:32:00.000Z

Row As Stranded Train Commuters Miss Bus (from Evening Times)

Is it just me or does anyone else reading this think that this is a storm in a tea cup. Surely if you are a regular communitor from Bishopbriggs to Glasgow you would know that the fair for the bus which leaves just outside the station is cheaper than getting a train ticket. Therefore rather than buying your train ticket and boarding the bus provided by Scotrail you can avoid the slope to the station and get the bus provided by First Bus from the cross and travel into Glasgow that way.

I agree that there may be some issue if you are in fact travelling to Edinburgh rather than Glasgow but surely if you get the bus from your home to Glasgow and then get the fast train to Edinburgh or Falkirk etc it will take you a similar time?

Some folk just like to whinge from what I can see.

BBC SPORT | Football | My Club | Rangers | Rangers suspend supporters' club

2006-12-21T13:55:00.000Z

BBC SPORT Football My Club Rangers Rangers suspend supporters' club

Dear oh dear oh dear. Just look at what happens when they let East Kilbride folk out of the town. Guess Greggs the bakers will be quiet on a Saturday now!

Only joking by the way remember we lived there for 9 years.

Support for fortnightly collections

2006-11-24T08:04:00.000Z

News - Kirkintilloch Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More

Having mentioned the item in my earlier post I thought I had better post it also. So hear you are.

Petitions heard but Council agrees to retain Fortnightly Collections

2006-11-24T07:59:00.000Z

East Dunbartonshire Press Releases
The Bishopbriggs Herald is this week carrying a story that finally highlights the silent majority of people in East Dunbartonshire who are now getting used to the local recycling scheme. I for one think that the Council should have fully thought through the proposal before launching it, but now that we have the ability to recyle cardboard and in particular now that the binmen are more consistent in what they do and dont take, I am delighted to hear that the Council are going to retain the fortnightly collection of non recyclable waste.

To those people still complaining about overflowing bins can I suggest that they try to recycle more and buy fewer items with unneccessary packaging, even better leave the packaging in the store that you bought it from and only bring home the item in the first place, leave them with the problem.

Karen in Hong Kong Tuesday 14th November2006

2006-11-14T22:46:00.000Z

Because I had a remorse or conscience at not emailing recently, you're getting 2 today!

We're off to the Buddha at Lantau today - hopefully the cablecar is working to get us half way up the hill *grin* I'll tak loads of piccies and dump some more into a yahoo album tonight.

We took some great mini videos of Kashi with Mum's camera - if I could work out how to show them to you at the moment I would but I think it'll have to wait till I get home and can burn them onto CDs.......it's worth the wait, believe me!!!!!!

David's in the shower so we'll be leaving in half an hour or so.

Catch up soon

Karen
xx

Tuesday 14 November Report from Karen in Hong Kong

2006-11-14T22:43:00.000Z

hey!

well all i can say is...................OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

we went to Lantau today to see the big buddha. took the MTR to the new cable car.......it is fecking miles up in the air!!!!! it was daylight when we went up and you could see the airport and the wee villages below as you climbed up the mountain, you actually go up then down then up then down then up again. everyone was a wee bit unsure about it...even Ben was kicking a bit *grin*

so we're up at the top and David, Ali and I climb all of the stairs to the Buddha statue, not as bad as I feared as it was only about 260 steps. Problem was that I had another vertigo attack when I got up there so I walked very gingerly round the platform then tried to psyche myself up to go back down the steep steps *sigh* got down OK, but I had clenched my right hand so tightly that Ali had to loosen my fingers. it was worth it for the view from the top though - breathtaking!!!!

thankfully the Buddhists believe in coffee so we went to Starbucks *grin* after a peppermint mocha I felt a bit better and did a wee bit of souvenir shopping before we all headed back to the cable car to go back down.

when we got there the cable cars had stopped - but started again after a few minutes so we decided to go on it. only problem is that this time it's really dark and you start off by going downhill kinda fast - the station sort of "launches" the car out over nothing before you start moving down to the next station. David said something like "oh goodness me", Ali said "fuck" and I just screamed so loud I didn't hear what Ruth said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a fairly traumatic 20 minutes later we finally arrive back at the base of the cable car and only an hour's retail therapy could make us feel up to coming home on the MTR *grin*

so......a fairly eventful day, filled with the stupidest mode of transport ever invented and some beautiful scenery.

Ali and I are off to Stanley market tomorrow to get one or two last wee things and then we'll play with Kashi tomorrow afternoon.

we leave at 11am HK time and get back to Glasgow at 9.40pm local time on Thursday. we'll both be completely cream crackered though so we'll just get a cab home and catch up with you on Friday.

see you soon, with loads of pics. it think we only have 60 or 70 pics left on the camera card, out of 1300!!! that does include quite a few wee videos though so we haven't taken 1200 pics *grin*

Karen
xx

haggis12: I'm Going to be an Aunty Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-09-30T12:28:00.000+01:00

haggis12: I'm Going to be an Aunty Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

News from Karen

Is it the Maid of the Loch or is it Karen

2006-09-04T15:03:00.000+01:00

The wonders of MMS - Karen is out touring Scotland at the moment with
her Canadian friend Diane. Being in a bit of a huff that I wasn't able
to take the time off to join them I have insisted that a get a mobile
pic from every location that they visit. Here Karen is down at Loch
Lomond with the Maid of the Loch in the background.

Weekly newspapers available as podcasts

2006-08-23T14:01:00.000+01:00

Download us to your Ipod

If you or a friend has an ipod or you use mp3 download sites you can now listen to a podcast of the newspapers produced by our service. All that you need to do is paste the url below into your podcast or player bar and log in for regular updates. http://www.daisymedia.co.uk/podcasts/feed.xml

For some time Cue and Review – Print Speaking to the Blind has been offering this service as a token system where if you wanted our title you could listen online. Now however you will be able to download it to your mp3 player or to your computer. Our titles are produced in our digital recording studio by a team of volunteers. We are presently facing a £5,000 deficit on simply our direct production costs so anyone listening to the download is encouraged to consider making a donation to the service.

There are a variety of ways in which you can support our charity

Never mind the National Lottery give us direct support through the Great Weather Lottery. You can win up to £10,000

Your purchase on this site will enable us to tell more blind people about our range of talking newspapers. For every purchase we receive a commission. You can help us raise the money needed to ensure that newspapers such as the Evening Times, Glasgow Herald and the Scottish Sun along with magazines such as Inside Soap and Star Trek can be recorded by our volunteers and sent throughout the UK. To find out more please visit our main website. Please help and please spread the word!

Our transcription service will also remember take your print leaflet and make it available as an audio file for distribution on cassette, cd or mp3.

If you are interested in renting office space from us for a year or even just a few hours give us a call on 0141-563-0306.

Alastair McPhee
Managing Editor
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Running for Crohns

2006-07-20T22:00:00.000+01:00

A good friend Mark, who is also one of our directors will be taking part in the 10k race to raise funds to help people iwth Crohns disease if you are able please give him your support.

Karens Birthday Bash

2006-07-11T16:14:00.000+01:00

Karens birthday was today so this was the main reason for me being down here this week. Unfortunately she couldn’t get the day off so I got the bus down into Brighton from the travel inn that we were staying in. My mission for the day being to do what all men dread – buying underwear for the misses. Karen at least had made it easy for me suggesting the shop that I went to and telling me that her details were online. When I finally found the shop I thought I had done a good enough job and headed off to go around Brighton. Realising how hot it actually was I headed for the beach and bought sun cream and a hat spent the rest of the morning/afternoon reading my book and moving along the beach soaking up the sun.

Late afternoon had a gorgeous parma ham, rocket and cheese pizza and a glass of wine at a restaurant on the beach. I can thoroughly recommend going there.

Back to the hotel and we both got ready for Karen’s party. After being collected by Alison we headed down to the pub at Brighton Marina where we met up with the Commercial Director a couple of managers and Karen’s colleagues. Once all together we headed down to the floating Chinese restaurant in the marina from where we had a delicious five coarse meal. Trying to stay relatively sober I was only too aware that we appeared to be to loud for the rest of the customers or maybe it was because we didn’t leave until closing time. The best surprise of all was that the company picked up the bill!!

Flying High To Horsham

2006-07-09T15:12:00.000+01:00

Karen has been working in Horsham for the last few months but the coming week is apparently going to be her last full week working in head office. As it is also her birthday on Tuesday I also agreed to go down to keep her company and hopefully get to spend time with her on her birthday. We headed out to Glasgow Airport today and for once boarded the plane on time and had a good flight down to Heathrow from where we headed to Crawley to stay overnight. More adventures to follow

Off but still at the Coalface

2006-07-07T18:29:00.000+01:00

i have been working from home for a couple of weeks due to a horrendous bug that appears to have done the rounds at the Cue and Review office. Morag has been kind enough to comment on how much improved I have been looking this week compared to the previous two. Goodness knows how bad i had been looking!

Although at home when I have been able to raise my head of my pillow I have been doing bits and pieces of work via email. Nothing espeically exciting has been going on.

Homophobic bullying in schools - how you can help take action

2006-06-06T12:54:00.000+01:00

Last week, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Education team launched an
online petition against homophobic bullying in schools:
<http://www.libdems.org.uk/campaigns/stop-homophobic-bullying.html>

Why? Because all bullying has serious effects on victims, often
resulting in pupils' failure to achieve their full potential at school,
or it leads to truancy, self-harm and in some cases, suicide.

Opposing homophobic bullying is not about being "politically correct"
but it is about ensuring that all pupils know bullying will not be
tolerated, there are no exceptions on the basis of sexuality. It also
affects those with gay family members and pupils labelled "gay" by their
peers. And teachers, as well as pupils, can be victims of such abuse.

Incidents of racist bullying are monitored by schools and it is
understood by pupils, parents and staff that racist abuse in the
classroom or on the playground is unacceptable and offenders will be
punished. However words like "gay" are commonly bandied about as an
insult, frequently unchallenged by staff. Shouting "nigger" down the
school corridors would not be tolerated so why are pupils allowed to use
homosexuality as a day to day disparagement?

"If someone's called faggot in the playground, teachers tend to turn a
blind eye in a way they can't with racist comments. Even those who want
to challenge it don't always feel they know how to . If someone shouts,
'You f***ing gay', they're much more likely to be picked up for saying
'f***' than for using gay as an insult."
Jonathan Charlesworth, Project Manager of EACH (Educational Action
Challenging Homophobia) (The Guardian 23 Nov 2004)

The added tragedy of homophobic bullying is the sense of isolation it
can create for its victim. If a pupil is bullied because of race, or
looks or a disability they are likely to at least have supportive
parents to whom they can turn. This is so often not the case for gay
teens. It is difficult for them to know within the school which teacher
they can confide in. That is why it is so important for schools to be
properly aware of the issue and prepared to deal with both its victims
and its perpetrators.

My colleague and Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Further & Higher
Education Stephen Williams MP has his own painful memories of homophobic
abuse from his time in school:

"It's a subject that has been ignored for too long, even in other
debates on bullying. Thousands of pupils are suffering unnecessarily
because of the ignorance or indifference of school leaders.

"It is a huge step forward when every pupil is aware of where their
school stands on the issue of homophobic bullying. Publicly agreed
school policies provide a vital point of reference for gay and lesbian
pupils and staff who experience bullying at school."

If, like us, you feel strongly that every young person and teacher has a
right to feel safe, respected as an individual and valued as a member of
the school community no matter what their sexuality I urge you to sign
our petition.

Go to
<http://www.libdems.org.uk/campaigns/stop-homophobic-bullying.html> to
join us in saying - it is simply not acceptable for homophobic bullying
to go unchallenged in our schools.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Teather, MP
Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Education

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Listen to Jo on Any Questions tonight (Jo Swinson)

2006-04-08T00:14:00.000+01:00

Listen to Jo on Any Questions tonight (Jo Swinson)

Scottish Lib Dems: News

2006-03-11T22:54:00.000Z

Scottish Lib Dems: News

Perhaps the gentleman from Liverpool who placed a bet that our then candidate could one day lead our party is not quite so wrong. Congratulations Jo on your new appointment.

Roisin Mary Bentley - Georgia State University - RateMyProfessors.com

2006-03-05T16:38:00.000Z

Roisin Mary Bentley - Georgia State University - RateMyProfessors.com

Well what do you know Roisin appears to be a great lecturer, although apparently she is not hot!!!!! I didn't say that Roisin the profile did, honest.

Perhaps Anthony should log in and boost your hotness ratio. He might be annoyed if I did it?

Jo joins Podcasting phenomenon (Jo Swinson)

2006-03-03T17:31:00.000Z

Jo joins Podcasting phenomenon (Jo Swinson)

Now why didn't we think of this eh? Using the digital recording studios at Cue and Review Recording Service we are able to record materials ready for MP3 download. At present this includes many of Scotland's national newspapers. Anyone interested should visit http://www.cueandreview.org.uk/titles_index.html as for just £10 you can access all fifteen of our titles and recieves tokens that allow you to download a title at any time.

Cathy McInnes chosen for Holyrood campaign (Jo Swinson)

2006-02-18T20:31:00.000Z

Cathy McInnes chosen for Holyrood campaign (Jo Swinson)

Great news that Cathy has been selected as our PSPC and that she got such a thumping majority! Karen and I had pledged our support to Cathy early on and I am delighted that she came through for us. The other leadership election is proving difficult for me to call and I have made my mind up that I shall be sending my ballot off tomorrow. At present I think I am likely to give my first vote for Chris Huhne and second for Sir Menzies, Simon has always been too left wing for me sadly, although I do think he has been badly treated by the media in relation to his private life.

Scotland on Sunday - Opinion - SNP feels the earth move in West Fife

2006-02-12T00:02:00.000Z

Scotland on Sunday - Opinion - SNP feels the earth move in West Fife and not in a good way!

Yet again the man from the Lib Dems HQ says yes what further honour can we bestow on Lord Rennard? Perhaps the ED local party will give him the annual cup for service to local liberal democracy?

As for me what did I do on Sunday well rather than watching the Scotland game with our lucky charm Efrain I got to go to Braehead to shop. The only saving grace was a walk around the Renfrew Ferry area later.

The Poetry of Scotland - The Haggis of Private McPhee, Robert Service, Canada

2006-02-11T09:47:00.000Z

The Poetry of Scotland - The Haggis of Private McPhee, Robert Service, Canada

Got up this morning to have my daily dose of cheerios and a cup of tea and was browsing on the wonderful google. In so doing i cam across this poem The Haggis of Private McPhee, who new a namesake had had a poem named after him!!

Karen was out with Bette and Barbara last night at GBH's favourite restaurant in Muirhead. I therefore got peace to watch the opening of the Winter Olympics the whole thing was just excellent and seeing Sophia Loren quwah what a stunner she still is!!

Work on our new roof started earlier this week but Friday saw the last of the tiles being removed. Hopefully on Monday the new strapping will go on and then later in the week the new tiles. Karen is furious about the state of the garden, and I have to agree I just hope she doesn't decide to go off on one.

Sensational victory in Dunfermline

2006-02-10T11:35:00.000Z

Chris Rennard Chief Executive of the Lib Dems sent this email out in the early hours of the morning, do you think that he is chuffed, like the rest of us? Lord Rennard will be coming to East Dunbartonshire on the 17th February for the ED Lib Dem dinner, email me if you would like to join us also.

The votes were declared a couple of hours ago.

Willie Rennie MP, Nicol Stephen MSP and senior Liberal Democrats are now extensively briefing the media on the sensational result:

Willie Rennie 12,391 35.8% +15.6
Labour 10,591 30.6% -16.8
SNP 7,261 21.0% + 2.1
Conservative 2,702 7.8% - 2.5

Swing Labour to Lib Dems 16.2%
Swing Conservative to Lib Dems 9.1%
Swing SNP to Lib Dems 6.8%

The whole party is deeply grateful to Willie Rennie, his campaign team and everyone in the party who helped in so many ways.

Willie Rennie said tonight that:

"I would like to thank the people of Dunfermline and West Fife for the trust that they have shown in me personally - and in the Liberal Democrats.

"Tonight they have sent a powerful message to the Labour Government that will rock the foundations of Downing Street - both number 10 and number 11. It is time that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown both got that message.

"This is a sensational victory. The Liberal Democrats have shown that we are the clear challengers to Labour in their heartlands."

This was also David Cameron's first real electoral test as Conservative Party Leader. The drop in Conservative support was greater than the average drop that they have suffered since 1997.

Willie also thanked our three leadership contenders for their support. Ballot papers were sent to all paid up members this week and must be returned by 1st March. The result will be declared on March 2nd.

Further news about the leadership election campaign - including links to all the candidates' websites and to online films of their speeches - is at http://click.cminteractive.com/?3yixyqMB=499972

The party's Federal Spring conference in Harrogate starts the day after our new leader will be elected. For more information about this conference - including how to register to visit
http://click.cminteractive.com/?3yixyqPP=499972

With many thanks

Chris Rennard
Chief Executive

PS Both the by-election and the leadership election have cost considerable sums of money. You can help ensure we have the funds to get our new leader off to a flying campaigning start by making a donation now at http://click.cminteractive.com/?3yixyqOd=499972