Dear members and friends,
I found an old book (1925) which mentions this wee hamlet where I live: “It’s worth coming up the dell to see this old kirk and to admire the peaceful tree-embowered clachan, with its trim houses and fine manse.” I looked up ‘clachan’; ‘a hamlet or village containing a church.’ I also learn from this book that St Wilfred founded a cell on this very spot in 675 AD – which grew into a monastery and church – and under someone called Trumwin, became the See of the first bishopric in Scotland. Well over 1,000 years ago, this remote spot must have been a bustling centre of learning and pilgrimage. I like the idea of monks living here – working this soil and the ancient crafts – trying to live simple lives of service. I like to feel that their good karma lingers among the broken stones and that some day `keepers of the spirit` will live here again.
So I love where I live, and have all that I need for the good life – except for one flaw: another failed summer. My entire genebank (8 great grandparents) comes from the melting pot of Southern Italy – so I’m a creature made by and for the sun. I have learnt that I can get by on 8 weeks good sunlight annually – it heals something in my head – but without it I can’t face the winter darkness – get unwell. So I’m on the internet again, looking at Spain. All I need is heat, light and a quiet seashore. I’ll let you know how I get on.
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I’ve been shocked recently by the ferocity of corporate America’s attack on Obama’s healthcare reform. In his book Supercapitalism, Robert Reich warns us that Washington is awash with corporate money – to the extent that democracy is being overwhelmed. Good piece by Peter Wilby in Saturday’s Guardian about the equivalent process in the UK. ‘The point of democracy is to tame unaccountable concentrations of power. Yet, while governments are under constant scrutiny, banks can wreck the economy (and then demand taxpayer bailouts), supermarkets can kill town centres, oil companies can pollute the planet and, it seems, there is little we can do about it. The failure to contain corporate power – or even, apparently, to want to do so – is New Labour’s greatest failure.’ http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8539
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Glasgow Housing Association’s demented plan to make itself into an independent empire has been halted – its inevitable dismemberment continues; but the question becomes – what now? Steven Purcell, leader of the Glasgow City Council said ‘I believe in Team Glasgow, with all the major players pulling together for the benefit of the city – and I am happy to welcome GHA to the fold.’ But hang on! Glasgow City Council has the worst record in Scotland (except for Edinburgh) in relation to empowering local communities. So can we depend on the SNP administration to insist on second stage transfer? Their proposed housing bill shows no recognition of the added value of community owned housing associations. We need to stay vigilant. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8544
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Andy Wightman, the land reform campaigner, has pointed out that the Land Reform Scotland Act (2003) – which we all brag about as an achievement of devolution – is in fact a damp squib. In 5 years only 5 communities have managed to use the act to acquire land. Is this a case of the excellent intentions of the Act being thwarted by lukewarm civil servants? As usual Stephen Maxwell sheds light. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8520
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I’m proud to record that I played a small supporting role in the emergence of the Children’s Hearing system 40 years ago; the recognition that children who commit offences are usually more in need of care and support than punishment, placed Scotland in the vanguard of social welfare. More than 2500 Scottish citizens give their time as panel members and it’s very worrying to hear this week that up to half of them are considering resigning over proposed changes to the system. I haven’t got a grasp of the details yet but any attempt to rush through changes without the approval of the trained volunteers on whom it depends – is a serious error of judgement. Someone in Government should get a red card for this. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8543
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NOTICES: We can’t flag all notices here, but submit jobs and events and we’ll post them on our site. See http://www.senscot.net/jobsevents.php. This week:
JOBS: The GRAB Trust, Send-it Fulfilment Solutions Ltd, Tailor Ed Foundation, Penumbra, Terminal One Youth Centre, Renfrewshire Environmental Trust, Keymoves, Forth Sector, DTA Scotland, Recycle Fife
EVENTS: Growing a Civil Economy, Festival of Politics, 22 Aug; Scotland’s 1st National Community Energy Conference, 27 Aug; From Ideas To Action, CWA/DTAS, 28 Aug; International Social Enterprise Business Models Conference, 2 Sep; Scotland’s constitutional future, Scottish Policy Innovation Forum, 4 Sep; Mental Health at Work, 9 Sep, Delivering Person Centred Services, 22 Sep;
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NETWORKS NEWS: Colin writes: Tim Smit (Eden Project) and our friend Graham Bell (Kibble) are running a Master Class on Wednesday 7th October at Paisley Abbey. Senscot has secured a number of free places for LSEN members. The event is being run by the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition (SSEC) in partnership with a number of others including Voluntary Action Scotland and Kibble itself. This is a great opportunity to hear two of the UK`s most prominent social entrepreneurs share their experiences. If you’re interested, contact anna@senscot.net See more Networks News, see http://www.senscot.net/networks1st/showart.php?articleid=103
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Senscot`s AGM takes place at 4pm on Thursday 24 September at the Storytelling Centre on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The event also marks our 10th birthday. The legendary Edgar Cahn, founder of Time Banking, will be giving an address. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8426 There are still some places available. If you’d like to come along, contact Victoria@senscot.net
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John Kerr – a pioneer of the credit union movement in Glasgow – has died of a heart attack aged 71. In a moving tribute in Saturday’s Herald, Bob Holman writes about John’s commitment to his community (Cranhill) where he chose to live out his life on a modest income. John believed that its local people who are best able to fund solutions for their areas – not the highly paid mercenarios of the poverty industry. A book is waiting to be written about working class leaders like John – from all across our country. Together they represent the independent egalitarian spirit which is the best of Scotland. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8540
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Last Friday, Senscot hosted Scotland’s first Awards ceremony for Social Enterprise Mark (SEM) Champions at the Engine Shed in Edinburgh. The five new champions – Out of the Blue, Recycle Fife, the Engine Shed, Bookdonors and the Wise Group – and the others who attended all enjoyed the day. Robyn Braham has provided us with some photos. http://www.senscot.net/view_news.php?viewid=8542
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This week’s bulletin profiles a Firstport Level 2 winner – Borders Environmental Education Services (BEES). BEES aims to provide high quality outdoor/environmental learning experiences for all ages, that will stimulate, challenge and empower. This summer they have been running their first summer schools in Borders with youngsters from Northumberland, East Lothian as well as the Borders itself. For more, see http://www.senscot.net/view_prof.php?viewid=8541
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Quote from English novelist, Arnold Bennett (1867-1931)
“You wake up in the morning, and your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life. It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions. No one can take it from you. And no one receives either more or less than you receive. Waste your infinitely precious commodity as much as you will, and the supply will never be withheld from you. Moreover – you cannot draw on the future – impossible to get you into debt. You can only waste the passing moment. You cannot waste tomorrow – it’s kept for you.”
That’s all for this week. Good luck with your adventures
Best wishes,
Laurence
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