Hub happenings - Casual observations on the campaign trail....

It's been another good night out campaigning in the ward, with a barrowload of Resident's Surveys being delivered.  With only 9 weeks to go, things are heating up and the late nights are kicking in.

It's important at times though to relax and catch up with the news, either on the telly, web or reading the Edinburgh Evening News for any local stuff.  Today's letters page in the EEN was interesting.

The recent opening of the Drum Brae Library Hub has been a truly fantastic addition to the area - with over 10,000 visitors within the first couple of months. 

The new facility however appears to have caused a stooshie between my Labour opponent Karen Keil and the SNP's Colin Kerr. 



Comments and letters have been published in the Edinburgh Evening News over the last 7 days:

Library ‘does not make up for school’ Published on Thursday 23 February 2012

The opening of the new Drumbrae Library is “too little too late” for the local community, according to activists.

Karen Keil, one of the campaigners that opposed the (Drumbrae Primary) school closure, said: “If Lib Dems had not opposed the Drumbrae Leisure Centre then a library would have been built then as part of this popular sports centre.

“Local people have said to me that Drumbrae Hub does not make up for demolishing Drumbrae school. They are right and it will prove too little too late for the Lib Dems.”

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In return, the SNP's Colin Kerr - still also masquerading as a Councillor until May - had the following letter printed in today's Edinburgh Evening News:

Candidate out of touch with area

I’m astonished by the comments made by Labour candidate Karen Keil (News, February 23) talking down the new Drum Brae Hub and stating it was “too little too late”.

The Drum Brae and Clermiston communities have campaigned for a library for more than 40 years.

Indeed, more than 1300 people attended its opening three weeks ago. I think Karen Keil is not only out of touch with the local community, but she clearly disagrees with her colleagues Malcolm Chisholm and Sarah Boyack, who both praised the £5.7 million project during a debate in the Scottish Parliament.

Mrs Keil has been hostile towards the project from the outset and is now essentially saying it’s not worth it. Her comments are a slap in the face to the many people who will benefit from the new facilities.

The truth is that Drum Brae has benefited greatly from this council administration, with more than £10m investment not only in the Hub but on a brand new care home. I would challenge Labour to back this investment.

Cllr Colin Keir MSP

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Well, it looks like Colin has touched a nerve with Karen judging by the former LibDem voter / supporter-cum-Labour candidate's tweets tonight:

"I don't think Colin Keir likes me very much! And he's sent his apologies for the Gala quiz night too."

"Just in case anyone is in any doubt - I think the @west_team are the best! I'm really glad you are in #Drumbrae and #DrumbraeLibrary is FAB"

Quite.....

I think I'll let the others fight amongst themselves whilst I'm out on the doorstep fighting for the residents of Drum Brae / Gyle.  Sounds sensible enough to me.

Time for bed - another day, another challenge tomorrow. 

"Being dyslexic is nothing to be ashamed of" | Ex-rugby star Kenny Logan at the Drum Brae Hub

I had the pleasure of attending the Drum Brae Library Hub tonight to listen to former Scotland Rugby legend Kenny Logan deliver a passionate and very moving talk about his battle with dyslexia.

Logan, who hails from Stirling, is famous not only for his rugby moves, but his fancy footwork on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. Of course, who can forget that he is married to the lovely Gabby off the telly!

The Hub, which has been able to boast over 10,000 visitors since it's opening a handful of weeks ago, saw one of it's breakout rooms packed to capacity as Logan spoke of his struggle through school to his early 30's to come to terms with his inability to read or write.

The audience, a great mix of kids and adults - several of whom with dyslexia - sat in jaw-dropping silence as the 70 times capped Scotland Rugby star gave a touching and fairly emotional recollection of his childhood years through to him finally recognising he had needed to tackle the condition.

'Being dyslexic is nothing to be ashamed of' - a strong and positive message that Logan made to the 50 strong audience. 

Logan is spot on with his assessment.  Thankfully, with organisations such as http://www.dyslexiascotland.org.uk/ available now, the ability for early intervention is there.

Mrs Logan, the delightful Gabby, told me on Twitter how proud she was of her 'amazing' husband.  And so she should be.  What an incredible journey for Kenny.

A fantastic Q&A session took place afterwards and Logan posed for photos and signed autographs - a remarkable feat in itself, but testament to the stature of the man.

Snippets of what Logan had to tell tonight about his struggle to admit to his condition can also be found in an interview with the Daily Telegraph from February 2008 | Learning to read at 34 Kenny Logan's best win

Kenny Logan's autobiography 'Just for Kicks' is available to hire from the Library.  Well, it might not be for long....

Saturday session - cold but very rewarding as the campaign heats up

Whilst out and about on my travels on Saturday, I visited residents at Balfour Court ahead of the Disabled Parking Bays being put in place later this month.  These parking bays were something I fought for and delighted to have been able to make a difference.    Residents are eagerly awaiting this fantastic addition

Canvassing followed and it was off to the Craigs part of the world.  Casework coming out of speaking to people on the doorstep is part of the buzz of seeking election and I'll be putting pen to paper this week in order to get results for fed up residents. 

After a few hours door knocking, I took a trip to the Drum Brae Library Hub to pick up an application form to join the library (I've not been a member of a library since the I was about 13!) and also to pick up tickets to see Scotland Rugby legend Kenny Logan talk about his passion for rugby and his experiences of dyslexia.

Tickets for the event can be obtained through the contact details here: http://yourlibrary.edinburgh.gov.uk/blogs/2012/02/kenny-logan-drumbrae-library-hub

Visit to the Drum Brae Library and Community Hub

I was honoured to have been given a 'sneak preview' of the fantastic new Drum Brae Library and Community Hub today.

West Team Neighbourhood Manager Natalie Hoy, Business Manager Jemma Blackwood and Library Development Officer Ewan McCormick all took time out of their busy schedules getting the boxes unpacked and putting the finishing touches to the building which opens to the public at 10am on Tuesday 31st January.

The Hub is not just a library - it really is so much more. The Hub brings together lots of services under one roof: a new library for the area, access to Council services and the Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, a cafe area, community meetings rooms and a day care centre. 

Ewan talked about the history of the site, which housed the Buttercup Diary Company, and the ergonomics of the building are something else.

At a cost of £5.7m, this is the first building of it's kind in Scotland.  I was particularly impressed by the geo-thermal heating mechanism in place.  It was needed today but thankfully the visit kept me inside whilst the mini-blizzard took place outside.

I was particularly pleased to see a couple of the murals, painted by local schoolkids and used as the hoarding boards around the site during the buildings construction, preserved and stuck up on the walls inside. A great touch.