John Gibson: Thirty quid to get your bairns back

Published on Friday 21 August 2009 09:28

I'VE been there. Half of Scottish parents on low incomes can't afford school uniforms and equipment for their children.

Growing up in Leith – maybe I've told you before – we were so poor, my mum bought my clothes from the local Army Surplus shop. I went to school in a Japanese admiral's uniform. At least it brought me a few salutes and a walk-on part in the River Kwai.

Actually, I was sent to Leith Academy in a smart light blue jacket and grey shorts despite dad's really low income. Those were the days when, if you saw somebody in Leith wearing a suit, he was the accused.

Note: The good woman who cleans my stairs assures me she has sent her son back to school for 30 quid – jacket, shirt, trousers, shoes. Anybody want to buy a Japanese admiral's uniform?

Fully booked

Still one of the must-have tickets, to the Book Festival's opening night party in the Speigel in Charlotte Square – 750 authors, 200,000 visitors and spiritually sponsored by Highland Park. Wow!

Guest director Richard Holloway's silvery beard all but stole the show. Verbally, chair of the festival directors board Susan Rice's lengthy I-name-this-ship speech wasn't to be missed.

Musically, the tent singer used the occasion to exhibit her versatility. Guitarist and harmonica exponent to boot. Come back Edith Budge. All is nearly forgiven.

Money to burn

It's only money. Your money. And it's money to burn at Belford House, Health and Safety's barracks-style HQ at Dean Village.

Time and again lots of window lights are left blazing overnight. Could be the 'Elf employees are so busy, they're actually in there, toiling through the night for our benefit. Doubt it.

In future, will the last person there please switch off the lights? Safety first. Bad for taxpayers' 'elf.

No kidding

After she's gone. It took five years to bring Carol Kidd back to the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. The class singer's Hub gig sold out but she departed on a sharp note for the festival organisers.

"If you don't call me for another five years, you'll be hearing me through a medium."