‘

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bugle?

Well the dictionary says that it is a musical instrument like a small trumpet. Our Bugle is a quarterly magazine. As beginners we at The Bugle are first learning our trade as reporters, editors or just plain gofers. In time we hope The Bugle will become a much read and much sought after local magazine that people will enjoy and discuss until the next issue.

Where is The Bugle available?

From hostels, drop-ins, libraries, churches, doctor’s and dentist waiting rooms… look out for it!

Who are we looking for to write for The Bugle?

Anyone! But especially people who are or have been homeless. Most members of our Press Team have been, or are

currently homeless.

What can we submit to The Bugle?

Almost anything you can think of. Drawings, poems, comments, Photo’s, Sonnets’, puzzles ect...and if we forgot to

mention anything then feel free to write and tell us.

email: carlyglover@bethanychristiantrust.com

We are

here!

The Bugle is Written & Designed by the Bethany Press Team.

The Bethany Press Team puts together each edition of The Bugle magazine. We meet almost every

Wednesday from 2.30pm.– 4:00pm at our Learning Centre at:

65 Bonnington Road, Leith, Edinburgh

If you have any comments on The Bugle or would like to get

involved give us a call us on 0131 454 3119

or email us at the above address.

and this is our team

2

WHAT WE HAVE FOR YOU THIS ISSUE

The views expressed in The Bugle are not necessarily those of Bethany Christian Trust.

ISSUE # 27 CONTENTS

Page 4: Spotlight

Page 6: Ragged Schools

Page 7: The Old Man

Page 8: Poems

Page 9: Leith

Page 10: Testament

Page 11: Marathon

Page 12: Gallery

Page 13: Gallery

Page 14: Homeless Pets

Page 15: Bobby McLean

Page 16: Saving a Life

Page 17: Sport Weekend

Page 18: Meditations

Page 19: Of Two Cities

Page 20: Mens Group

Page 21: Mens Group

3

I would like to

thank FF for all

her hard work,

commitment and

dedication over the

past two years and

a half years. This

will be her last

edition of the Bugle as she is moving on to

other projects within Bethany.

I will be working on the Bugle with the

impressive press team who have produced

many of the interesting and diverse editions

which you may have read. Thank you to

them for having me!

We would also like to extend special thanks

to Pamela who stepped in at the last minute

to add the inspirational quotations at the

bottom of most of the pages.

We hope you enjoy this edition and it takes

you on a trip down memory lane!

CG

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps

if you are not willing to move your feet

What is your job title and what does it

involve?

My job title is Employer Advisor and

Armed Forces Champion for the district

and I am based in the Leith job centre.

My job role as an Employer Advisor is

talking to employers and looking for

vacancies. The Armed Forces Champion

role is that every district in the whole of

the UK has got an armed forces

champion, and each job centre has a local

office contact, and we try and identify

anyone that has served in the military. If

I went along to an employer I would

mention that I am an Armed Forces

Champion and ask them if they had ever

considered recruiting ex military

personnel. We work with a lot of

organisations externally; veteran

organisations like Poppy Scotland and

Veterans First Point, so we can be a

signpost to help veterans to external help.

“My job title is Employer

Advisor and Armed Forces

Champion”

I’ve been in this job for about two and

half years, the various areas that I work

in have Several Military bases eg

Redford Barracks, Rosyth and RAF

Leuchers, so the role is much more hands

-on than other people doing the same

job in another area. It is a very

close working environment, so

everyone begins to know one

another.

If there are ex servicemen in

Edinburgh, what are the first

steps that they should take?

Veterans First Point

(www.veteransfirstpoint.org.uk) are

funded by the Scottish Government and

NHS Lothian, it is a one stop shop for

Veterans, and is just off Charlotte

Square.

What are the main forms of

employment that Veterans go into?

There is an urban myth that it is mostly

security but it can be a variety of roles,

two years before they leave they

can get a resettlement so they

can do civilian attachments,

in which they can go to

civilian employers and

work, whilst still getting

a military pay. There

can be a broad range of

jobs, one of the

favourites is anti

piracy, and they go

aboard ships providing

security, especially on

the Indian Ocean against

pirates.

How difficult is it

for people that

have left

the

T his issue we speak with Callum Grigor about the difficulties in getting a job after being in the military. Do employers tend to forget about those who have served our country and risked their lives? Do they

care? Do we care?

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20166/delivering_edinburgh_partnerships_priorities/1643/

edinburgh_partnerships_supporting_initiatives/2

4

forces to get a job?

It is an unfortunate reality that we

are in a recession, it’s not easy for

people leaving the military but it’s

certainly not easy for anyone. I

think though a lot of the values and

skills that military people have are

transferable but there is an issue

that has arisen which is to do with

what qualifications people have

from the forces, and this is a

working progress.

“Ex military personnel

are very well valued, for

a number of reasons”

Do you find the employers that

you liaise with have any stigma

attached to employing ex

forces?

No it is a plus point, we

work closely with Career

Transition Partnership,

which is MOD funded, it

is part of the Regular

Forces Employment

Association (RFEA)

(www.rfea.org.uk)

and they have a website

that has jobs that they have

sourced themselves by ex

military people. In the roles

I do in employer engagement

I promote this website to

employers. I have never had

an employer say I am

not interested in

that. Ex

military personnel are very well

valued, for a number of reasons.

Is there on-going support once

they get employment?

It depends if they are working with

a Disability Employment Advisor

where there is support available,

they can also be supported through

the Career Transition Partnership,

(www.ctp.org.uk) which gives a

structure where they support

someone within employment but

usually it would be on an individual

basis depending what their status

was.

Do many go into self employment

when they leave the army?

Yes, you can go through Poppy

Scotland, it is called ‘Be the Boss’,

and there is funding available and

they also have an employment

support grant for training.

What is job retention like?

People do track this and do keep

figures on retention within civilian

jobs, but what we have to

remember is that for ex forces

people it is a big cultural shock, as

they are not used to working in

civilian jobs, and maybe the jobs

are not as organised or professional

as they have been used to and it can

take them one or two attempts to

see what is right for them.

“Organisations are all

working together to

help people who have

served ore serving in

the Military”

How does a soldier who has

moved around this country or

even the world chooses his

location or is he told?

The person does have a choice but

there are often different factors

such as family or other ties to

places, but there are Veterans

Agencies throughout the country

that can help people.

Do people sometimes want to go

abroad and look for work after

leaving?

We have a career transitions jobs

fair, and part of that is the

European section of job centre plus,

as many have picked up languages

where they have been based.

Those with no family ties are often

quite happy to go and work abroad,

but many have been moving around

a lot, so they want stability of

settling back home, but there is that

choice available for them.

With veterans coming back, have

you noticed a trend in people

becoming homeless? We work

with Whiteford House and

obviously the council and I do

know in Glasgow, ‘Helping

Hero’s’ they have a link with a

street unit, and if they identified

someone that was on the streets,

they give one of the peer workers a

call, and they go and talk to the

person, so it is a good system. Also

the City of Edinburgh Local Armed

Forces Community Covenant, in

which the NHS Scotland, the

council and the job centre and other

Organisations are all working

together to help people who have

served ore serving in the Military.

This website will give you some

more information if you have

enjoyed the interview.

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20166/delivering_edinburgh_partnerships_priorities/1643/

edinburgh_partnerships_supporting_initiatives/2

5

RAGGED SCHOOLS

My article is about The Ragged Schools. The inspiration for this comes from one of my favourite authors Charles Dickens, who

addressed the social injustice and the mistreatment of the poor people and in particular the situation of the children in Victorian

Times.

What are the Ragged Schools?

The Ragged schools were charitable schools for poor children in the working class districts all over Britain in the 19th Century. The

schools were so named after the children, mostly under aged (younger than 14) being found ‘raggedly dressed’ not wearing any

proper shoes at all. The children were either orphaned or came from dysfunctional, destitute families where parents felt that raising

their often large families were beyond their control and means. In the time of

Industrialization families migrated to the cities where overcrowding, disease and

poor housing awaited them. It is in these inner cities, the poor lived in squalid and

too small tenements with other families and without proper sanitation.

The Ragged Schools were mostly held in one room of a house, in an old barn, in

utilised stables or even under the arch of a railway. The children were fed, bathed,

clothed and could learn a trade such as; shoemaking/cobbling, gardening, carpeting,

printmaking, cooking, toy making and mending clothes. The girls were learning

skills in sewing, knitting, washing and housework. There was an emphasis on

reading, writing, arithmetic and study of the Bible.

The teachers were often local working people, working in the poorest districts where

children were either orphaned or kept home from school as education was not an

option for them. Many children only obtained a minimal education by attending fee-

paying Sunday Schools while they worked on the other six days of the week. Several

people volunteered and offered their time, skills, and talents as educators and

administrators of the Ragged Schools.

Origins of the Ragged Schools

There is some debate about the origins of Ragged Schools. Four men are often mentioned in having played a very significant role in

the development. In England the most notable people were John Pounds and Thomas Cranfield. For Scotland Sheriff Watson of

Aberdeen and Thomas Guthrie, the Parish Minister of St. John’s Church in Edinburgh were responsible for the introduction of the

Ragged Schools.

Thomas Guthrie and John Pounds

In Scotland Dr Thomas Guthrie, one of the leaders of the Free Church of Scotland and a philanthropist, wrote ‘A Plea For Ragged

Schools’, inspired by John Pounds who was locally known as the ‘Crippled Cobbler’ teaching poor children for free in his shop in

Portsmouth (1818). Pounds actively recruited children at the sea side and the poorest districts of Portsmouth, feeding them a baked

potato and started teaching them basic skills such as reading, arithmetic and writing to be prepared for working life. The children

were taken under his wing and soon more children followed. In 1844 Thomas Guthrie saw a picture of the cobbler’s room while

visiting Anstruther in Fife he felt the urgency to start what appears to be the first Scottish free school for the poor to improve their

deplorable circumstances.

In 1844 he published a volume containing his three pamphlets concerning Ragged Schools entitled Seedtime and Harvest. Guthrie is

often quoted as the founder of the Ragged Schools of Scotland.

The movement, led to the establishment of the London Ragged School Union under the chairmanship of Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th

earl of Shaftsbury. He was one of Britain’ greatest reformers, who genuinely felt compelled to improve the social and working

circumstances. In 1843, he became the president of the Ragged Schools and served for 39 years. In 1944, the Union adopted the

name "Shaftesbury Society", in his honour. Between 1844 and 1881 in London alone there were approximately 300.000 children

taken into the Ragged Schools.

What this world needs is fewer rules

and more good examples 6

John Pounds, the cobbler who

took children under his wing and

taught them for free.

THE OLD MAN

People don’t bother with me much nowadays

They pass by the door and go their different ways.

They seem to have so much to do and see

There’s no time to chat with an old fellow like me.

The house seems so still now the missus ain’t here.

It seems only yesterday she’d say to me: “Old dear,

Sit yourself down and see what I’ve got”;

And there’d be a lovely smell from the old kitchen pot.

We’ve got ‘Meals on Wheels’, they come round twice a week.

They’re straight in and out, no time to speak

They seem to be hounded by time and speed.

No chance of a chat, which I really need.

Aye, I had a good wife and we raised two fine boys

We had a few heartaches, but we had plenty of joys.

Well they’re grown up now with homes of their own

I get an odd letter, sometimes they phone.

We’ve got a Darby and Joan club, that’s not bad I suppose

But it’s when I get home and the door starts to close

It’s then that you feel you’re really alone

In an empty house and with no voice, but your own.

While you’re working and earning you don’t feel so old

Yet once you’ve retired you seem out in the cold.

When you’ve time on your hands and no money to spend

The days and nights can drag on without end.

Then comes the day when the one you adored

Passes away and you feel really floored;

As I sit here at night and the memories flow

Of the times that are passed, how it seems long ago.

There’s only one thing that would do me a treat

I’d like to hear footsteps out there in the street;

Then a knock at the door and find, waiting there,

Someone who says: “Hi – I popped round to see you ‘cos I care”.

Eddie Klimek

Charles Dickens

In 1843, Charles Dickens visited the

Field Lane Ragged Schools, appalled

by the conditions the children were

living in. This triggered him to move

towards reform and instead of

writing a pamphlet to plight for the

poor children he felt that a realistic,

dramatized novel with vivid fictive

characters enduring hardship but

still with message of hope in the end,

would have had more impact to the

public. This resulted in A Christmas

Carol. Very generously Dickens

continued to donate funds on various

occasions, along with a water trough,

stating that it was "so the boys may

wash and for a supervisor".

In 1837, he used the area called Field

Lane as a setting for Fagin's den in

his classic novel, Oliver Twist. In this

world famous novel Dickens

addressed social injustice of the poor

and down trodden in society, the

social injustice and the mistreatment

of children in particular. Child

Labour, the recruitment of children

as criminals, the work house.

Poor families were often desperate of

avoiding the work house, because of

the harsh regime, the drudgery and

the risk of being separated from their

families. The work house system

failed to meet the needs of the poor

especially the homeless, the rough

sleepers in the streets. The novel was

a call for the need for social reform

and better opportunities for the poor

and revealed the hypocrisy of the

time.

The Ragged Schools were the forerunners

of the national education system, gradually

absorbed in to the Board School System.

Monique Van Aalst

The only place where success comes

before work is in the dictionary 7

Poems

The Wee Boat

He built himself a little boat,

This lad who was quite shy;

And every day he watched it float,

Upon a stream nearby.

The wind was strong one blustery day,

And much to his surprise,

The little boat was swept away,

And tears flowed from his eyes.

The days passed by and then, behold!

He spied his little gem,

Inside a store where he was told,

It didn't belong to him.

He knew the job would be real tough,

But he decided then,

To save until he had enough,

To own that boat again.

When he went back into the store,

He had a tidy sum,

And as he walked out through the door,

The boat was 'neath his arm.

So softly he was heard to say,

“Not once, but twice you're mine,

I gave you up, but then today,

I bought you back, we're fine.”

Isn't that the way it is with God?

He lost the world to sin,

Then through His Son, with His own

blood,

He purchased us again.

Eddie Klimek

The Day Ticket

I once won a day ticket

To a fun factory

It was a very unusual ticket

Made of feathers

It was to tickle your fancy

What was optional

And what more was very unusual

It was at the Zoo

When I arrived at the Tickled Pink

Entrance Gate

There was the Hyena in hysterics

Crying his eyes out

Garry Miller

A Poem for All kinds of

Addicts

‘Two hearts beat within my chest

One is foul, one is blessed

One I love, one I hate

The one I feed will dominate’

This is poem that a friend shared with me.

When he became a Christian, his whole

life changed. One day he realised he

didn’t want to be involved with drink and

drugs anymore. I was the same as this

guy, but I started to read bits in the Bible.

I was always thinking about the past, but

never the future – the future was in a haze

of alcohol. Am I going to choose to live

or die? This is why I love this poem

because it talks about choices that we

make. Which heart do you think I want to

feed? Which heart would you feed?

Gordon (a wee lost soul)

Poverty Stricken

Money is tight

Every penny counts

Even the ones for your thoughts

Am I lucky

Because every now and then

I do find pounds and pennies

Even a long forgotten bawbee

Waiting to be picked up

From pavements and wynds

When drunkards are too

Busy walking straight

Not thinking about when the penny drops

Trying my luck with scratch cards

Winning the occasional tenner

Or a fiver

Always grateful

Having the Midas’ touch

In the city centre

That’s where I find them

The pennies

And feel just this once

That I am not so poverty stricken

Monique van Aalst

Maybe a Good Time Is

Coming?

Here is a public announcement

(Scooby Dooby Dolby)

Where the hell are we going

Modernism – Global Warnings

Quadraphonic Politicians of every hue

Pondering what to do

The year 2000 A.D.

The new millennium – The third one

Ethnic Cleansing

The Poles are melting

The Temperature is rising

The Planet Earth is thirsty

The Rainbows broken

The Banks are empty

The New Age travellers are alone

The golden Bells of Doom are rung

An Almighty Explosion is heard

Then a ghostly silence

Maybe a Good Time is coming?

What’s next

Garry Miller

The grass may be greener next door but

it is just as hard to cut. 8

LEITH: Looking Expectantly Into The Heavens As someone who has spent most of his life here, I will try and bring out a number of things from the past, the present, and give

an overview on how the changes have affected the quality of life in this very historic part of the city. If Edinburgh is the Athens

of the north, then Leith must be Piraeus, however the truth is the port of Leith has a history that is quite unique. Although

regarded as part of the city, Leith retains its own identity, despite the arranged marriage with Edinburgh in 1920.

Trade with the continent has been a major factor in the development and prosperity of Leith, indeed many of the streets are

named after the trading points in Europe, and as well as the import/export facility, ship building took hold, and names like

Bertrams and Brown Brothers became prominent in marine engineering and you may know that the first steamship to cross the

Atlantic was built at Menzies & Co on the shore, the Sirius.

Not to be outdone, Hawthorns Yard at Junction Bridge produced a steam train at one time, and in other parts of the town there

was a car assembly plant, and a light aircraft was under construction off Leith Walk. Staying on the high seas for a minute, a

whaling ship used to leave for Antarctica and return with its gruesome catch, and of course a number of inquisitive visitors,

penguins, but it is important to make the point that whaling was introduced by a Norwegian, Christian Salveson.

So then we’ve looked at the high seas, what about high spirits? The drinks industry was rife here at one time, names like

Highland Queen, VAT 69, Mackinlays, and Bond 9, were, you might say, on everyone’s lips, some more than others. Aside

from the hard stuff, soft drinks were also in

demand thus Globe and Dunbar’s were able to

assert their wares in the market place,

Fish had a market and with a fleet at

Newhaven and Granton fish was plentiful,

indeed you would see the fishwives in the

street with a basket overhead containing the

evidence, some very presentable young ladies

who would represent a good catch in anyone’s

language. During this time of harvest from the

deep, people were known to eat a pound of

fish a day! And if you think you can say that

with your mouth full, try this for size;

The Leith police dismiss us and severely

chastise us!

The heart of Leith was of course the Kirkgate,

well named because at the start of the last

century 85% of the people in this part of

Scotland attended church on Sundays, perhaps

part of the legacy left to us by two itinerate

preachers who visited these parts during the 18century. John Wesley would preach to

a captive audience, while up in Edinburgh, the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, George Whitefield, while of

course one born this side of the border, John Knox, a man of towering spirituality. Men like them had left an indelible mark on

society, and not just here either! However the Kirkgate was home to a good cross section of life, local and foreign , a colourful

mix of shopkeepers, housewives, pickpockets, entertainers, sailors and assorted individuals passing the time of day, but sadly

not all were under the influence of the aforementioned evangelists.

So the contrast with today’s world is obvious, ‘progress’ i.e. technology, home comforts have done nothing to foster good

relations with our neighbours, not to mention the moral fibre and fabric of society, the inheritance left to us by the covenanters,

the evangelists and our god-fearing forefathers, has been squandered. To illustrate by what extent let’s finish with a look at the

early church.

Acts 2.44 ‘Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and

divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to

house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all people. And the Lord

added to their church daily such as would be saved’.

Eric Scott

The main aim of mankind

is to make man kinder. 9

10

61-2012 Testament of Alex J. Anderson

In 1961 I was 18 years old. That was the time I stopped being a Ward of the Court and one who had been raised by the

Children’s Welfare Services. Though they stood in place of real parents they were no longer liable or willing to guide me

because 18 was their upper limit of responsibility for Wards of the Courts.

‘Care’ was seen as ‘just you sit there, we’ll get to you soon enough.’ Now if this does not seem to be just another example of

passing the buck, let me tell you that was the level of ‘care,’ back then. As I was 18 I was no longer someone they needed to look

out for, so where do you think they sent me?

They sent me back to the parent that starved, beat and made me see myself as a waste of space one needing to be taken from my

mother before she killed me.

I say this is the crassest ‘passing of the buck’ I can imagine (with me as the buck to be passed on).

Mind you, now that I’m 68 years old and a whole lot more able to decide for myself, I see myself as lucky. It shocked me, in my

thirties, to read a statistic that said a large percentage of children who had been raised in care committed suicide before they

reached 24.

To be honest, if I’d had my way, I would have been no more than a part of that percentage. I had by the age of 24, attempted

suicide in a variety of ingenious ways. What saved me then was either a hard working guardian angel or a lack of knowledge.

However these failed attempts brought on a new sense of utter failure.

“OK,” says I, “putting lethal things into my stomach isn’t the way to end this crap.”

That being so, I bought myself a crossbow, lined the bolt up, between my ribs and pulled the trigger, fully expecting to die from

putting that steel bolt into my chest.

Well, let me tell you, if you want to die from a crossbow bolt through the heart you need someone else to do it. The crossbow

needs space between firing and hitting its target because it has to accelerate to a speed before it can penetrate human skin. Like I

said I was saved either by my lack of knowledge or a very hard working guardian angel. Can you also see why I walked, crying

my eyes out, in pouring rain, into a police station to ask for psychiatric help and to hand over that useless weapon and all I had to

show was a pinprick mark on my chest.

My final suicide attempt is the one that makes me a believer. I was so determined to know if there was such a being as God, I

stood at the Holyrood Palace roadside and said, (maybe to no one), “I’ve had enough. I can’t look forward to decades of this crap

and I have failed so many times to die. Now I intend going straight up this gorse covered hillside, to climb the Salisbury Crags

and I may deviate neither to the left, nor to the right and I may not turn back. I fully expect to fall to my death because I’m weak

from hunger and don’t care if I make it or not.”

There was no one came to deter me so I went through the gorse, feeling nothing. I started that climb. At 2/3rds of the way I

froze, unable to see my next handhold. I looked and looked until my limbs shook with the strain of holding on. Convinced my

life was about to end I said, “Now would be a good time to prove you are there. I have seconds to live without your help.”

I lie to you not, because I’m here and so much older, I recall the calm voice I heard and which said, “Follow the wind.”

I also recall saying in response, “What win… oh that wind” and following it I made it to safety. As I collapsed over the rim of

that climb I remember looking back over my life and being made to see, after each failed suicide I had been there for someone in

need. Right at that moment I promised my saviour, “I will be more responsible from now on and try to be there for others in

need, but please don’t lead me to consider suicide before I’m needed again.

I had many bouts of deep depression but one has to try to keep one’s word to the highest power once He has made His presence

known to a challenging human.

‘If you feel like I used to feel you need to be aware help is available to you. Two useful phone numbers are

Samaritans 08457 90 90 90

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 weekday: Mon – Thurs 6 p.m. – 2a.m. Weekend Fri 6pm Mon 6 a.m. Talking lessons the pressure

you may feel.’

"There's very few places you can go to in the world where you can pick up a telephone and another human being, no matter why

they're doing it, will listen to you unconditionally. If you want to pour out in a phone call, they will listen for hours, for as long as

you need them to."

Samaritans caller Alex J. Anderson

After all is said and done - there's more

said than done.

11

The Lipstick Circus

The big top wis girating

Monty Python wis the ringmaster

Kisses for you wis oan the high wire

Ruby lips on ra trapeze let go

And wis caught a smacker wi

Marcel the marvellous

The circus crowd wur shouting encore encore

Kisses (all around)

The elephant an’ tigers wur as happy as Tarzan in ra jungle

The band played Auld Lang Syne

When the millennium dome fell doon

The seven dwarves were looking fur snow white

Aladdin wis busy rubbin’ his magic fryin pan

Puss in boots wis up ra beanstalk

Wi Dick Whittington haen a quiet snooze

The band played God Save The Queen

The wooden door hid just fell doon

Garry Miller

Edinburgh marathon festival 2012

This Saturday the 26th of May, I will be making history with EMF, this year is the first time

they are having a run for wheelchair athletes. I will be running in the 5km, this is the third run

I will have completed. I like to inspire people, so that even if you are confined to a wheelchair

you can still run.

Readers will also know that I dance and act as well; disability doesn’t have to stop you.

The morning of 26th of May has come. All sorts of feelings are going through my mind, nerves

and excitement. I have got to the starting line one hour early, excitement is starting, sun is

shining and the crowds are arriving. At 10.55 am it’s time for all wheelchair athletes to start,

crowds were cheering as we went past, 5 minutes later the other runners started, we are running

up Arthur’s Seat. The crowds are cheering, the heat is making it a little harder for everyone but

the views from the top are amazing. I get round in 20 minutes!

I get a big surprise when I find out I am the first wheelchair athlete back. Crowds are still

cheering, I have to hang around for the presentation, and I am so excited, waiting for my name

to be called. My name is the first to be called, now it feels so real. I was so excited at receiving

the trophy, the crowds cheered me on which really helped me in the heat. I am looking forward

to my next one now.

Jessie Csere

Garry Miller with his

paintings on display

at “the Gallery round

the corner”

Never forget that the darkest hour is

only sixty minutes.

Jessie Csere Jason

Caldwell

Monique van

Aalst Monique van

Aalst

Jason

Caldwell

Alex

Anderson

Jessie Csere Alex

Anderson

Homeless Pets

Have you ever had to make a decision in life that you just did not want to make? Of course you have, that is after all

what life is about, decisions. The kind of decision I am talking about however, is one of the hardest ones I have ever had

to make. What I am talking about is this; what do you do with your beloved family pets if you ever find yourself in a

homeless situation? This is the problem I was faced with and the way I saw things, I only had two options. Either I have

to say goodbye to them forever and re-home them, or I force them to live a life within cages and behind bars, and to live

a life in a way of which they certainly are not used to. So let me ask you this, which do you choose? Although I was

called things like selfish and heartless, I chose the latter of the two. You may think the same of me but I just could not

face life the same way without them. Yes, this is very selfish of me, but I knew that this was only a temporary

arrangement and after all, I was never going to be homeless forever.

That being said, no one can prepare you for what happens next. There is this indescribable feeling when you hand over

the leash of your dog to a person that you have never met before until that moment. All these thoughts start racing

through your head. Will they look after my dog properly, will my dog be ok? Etc. handing my dog over to these people

is probably one of the hardest and guiltiest things I

have ever had to do and walk away from. I thought to

myself that over time, this would get easier, but I was

wrong. That feeling of emptiness only got more

intense after each visit. The lump in my throat and the

tears threatening to spill over got harder and harder to

control, especially when he looks at me with those

puppy dog eyes and its as if he’s pleading with me to

just take him home.

For six months, I put myself and my dog through this

“torture” if you like. The thought of him sleeping in a

small confined space with only himself for company

breaks my heart, (considering he is used to a nice cosy

bed with plenty of space and me as company), so I do

not think he was overly loving it at the kennels either.

Obviously, the kennel staff would come by every so

often and check on him and feed him, but they do not

have the time to give him the care, attention, and love that he deserves. I of course went to visit him regularly, I took him

treats and toys, but he still had to go back to the kennels alone, confused and maybe even scared of what was going to

happen to him.

I am pleased to tell you that there is a happy conclusion to this story, I do now have my own flat, and I am reunited with

my beloved dog. I now know that the decision I made was the right one, it was extremely difficult for us both to have

gone through but I am glad I persevered with keeping him. Life is back to the normality that we are used to and both me

and my dog are happy to be back with each other and if I can help it, I will never put myself or my dog through the

stress of this again.

When you are homeless and you have pets it becomes easier and easier to just re-home them but can you honestly live

life the same way after they have gone? Your pets can make a huge difference in

your life so I say that you should aim to keep them if it is possible for you to do so.

Kayleigh Robertson

An industrious person seldom has

a busy tongue 14

An interview with Bobby McLean about ‘Two Fields O Dreams,’

a song he wrote with Scott’s music group tutor, Scott Murray

How did the song come about?

After housing support cancelled, the company supporting me phoned up various places to try and get help needed. Biggest problem

– filling forms in.

I was interviewed by men’s group coordinator at the time, Tim Porteus and he made sure I settled in ok as it was a completely differ-

ent environment from what I was used to.

I won a sports quiz at the men’s group and Tim asked me if I would like to go onto Leith FM. I was absolutely terrified as I have a

speech problem and I was told; let him worry about that, as I would get help.

Then I was introduced to Scots music group and I asked Scott Murray, (the tutor) and Jica if I would be any good to them as I had a

speech problem. I was told not to worry about that. There were a few of us in the men’s group that went there- If I could mention

two of the boys, Ally Mitchell and wee Benny King- we got on brilliant.

Scots music group had an inspire concert coming up and at the Bugle they had a poet coming in and I was asked to write a poem

about football, which I did and it got longer and longer. I thought it could be made into a song. I was advised by a volunteer from

Scott’s music group, (Patrick) to let Scott Murray have a look at it. He altered the verses, so it would be better, which it was and

that’s how two fields o dreams was born.

What’s the song about?

The song’s about the Hibs and the Hearts, their rivalry and what great players they both had. Also during the 50’s Hibs won three

league titles but they’ve never won the Scottish cup.

I was interviewed by STV about it, as it was on the website, a thing I’m very proud of. I am very grateful to Scott, Jica and Patrick

for their guidance.

Any plans for future projects?

Scots music group is starting up again as they have new funding and I would like to do another song. So as everybody knows you

never know what is going to happen in the future.

What’s your favourite football memory?

It’s not a memory but a fact. My daughter has seen Hearts lift three Scottish cups, in 1998, 2006 and in 2012 but I won’t go because

I’m a bogey. Last time I went to a cup final, 1996, we got hammered 5 -1 by Rangers.

My favourite Hearts memory is Jim Jeffries being appointed manager. I was there when he was appointed the first.

Here in Auld Reekie there's twa fitba teams

In Leith and in Gorgie, there's twa fields o dreams

It's maroon at Tynecastle, and Easter Road's green

Wad ye tell me the best team that you've ever seen?

The Jam Tarts, the Hibees

Wad ye tell me the best team that you've ever seen?

Ah mind Turnbull's Tornadoes, aye man they were braw

Herts' Terrible Trio, Conn, Bauld an Wardhaugh

An Hibs Famous Five aye we mind on them still

We've never seen finer, and we never will

The Jam Tarts, the Hibees

Wad ye tell me the best team that you've ever seen?

Mackay, Stanton, Baker an Walker an Young

Great players o baith teams had their days in the sun

Some o oor heroes frae boyhood are gone

But we’ll a’ mak shair that their names will live on

The Jam Tarts, the Hibees

Wad ye tell me the best team that you've ever seen?

Every new season we build oor team up

It’s ‘Herts for the league’ or it’s ‘Hibs for the Cup’

But maist every season oor cupboards are bare

But we’ll shairly win something – aye maybe this year!

The Jam Tarts, the Hibees

Wad ye tell me the best team that you've ever seen.

The Lyrics of ‘Twa Fields O Dreams’ written by Bobby McLean and Scott Murray

Real happiness can only be obtained by

unselfishness. 15

16

Saving a life and finding a wife.

I was crossing a high bridge one cold November day

Wondering when I would get my next pay.

When I happened to look up at the sky,

I could not believe what caught my eye.

It looked like a women that wanted to fly.

As I drew closer I heard her say,

She wanted to see God.

I said, the devil you will, you have seen me instead.

Words passed through my mind of tinkers of old at this critical

moment,

Their words seemed so bold.

I genuinely took hold of her and the struggle was on,

If she slipped through my hands I knew she was gone.

I shouted for aid at the top of my voice,

How would I be helped above the traffic and noise?

The sweat did pour and I heard myself roar,

Don’t let her go or she’s gone through the floor.

What coaxing and cajoling and the attention of the men,

I knew her mind would just have to win.

When finally we bought her round

And lowered her gently onto the ground.

She threw her arms around me and said I saved her life,

I said your life would be worth living if you would be my wife.

She said I cannot tell you this in my present state of mind,

But I shall go with you, as you have been so kind.

So off we went hand in hand throughout the land.

Her name, or where she lived I never knew

But what I’d done, seemed the proper thing to do.

If on life’s long journey, ever again, her I do see,

I shall take her to see my dear old mother across the Irish sea.

Tim Tate

Benefits

I am carrying out a work placement

with “Bethany Christian Trust” within

the framework of my educational

course.

In fact, in France, I study the benefits

that the French government gives to-

wards people who are in need. I be-

lieve it could be interesting to compare

Scottish benefits and French benefits.

To summarize; workers are required to

pay taxes, which are deducted from

their pay, in both countries. It enables

them to have a safety net (health care,

social care).

However the

French government

provides more ser-

vices than the Scot-

tish government,

notably in the unemployment field.

Nevertheless, the French system is

very expensive, that’s why the

“securité sociale” (social security)

budget is in deficit.

When people in France go to the doc-

tor, they pay £1 each, and when they

go to the pharmacy most medicines

aren’t free, whereas in Scotland the

costs of the doctor and medicines are

picked up by the government.

Therefore, French benefits system is

very generous but less egalitarian than

Scottish benefits system.

Franck

When you aim at nothing you will

seldom miss your target.

17

A Great Sporting Weekend May 3rd 1986 and the Scottish League Championship was building up to a ferment. Hearts

the long-time leaders had been steadily pulled back by Celtic who had gone on an unbeat-

en run of 15 games without defeat. Celtic knew going into their last game at Love Street

what they had to do was simply to win by 3 clear goals and hope that Hearts would lose

their last match away to Dundee at Dens Park.

I would have loved to have been at Love Street that day but as I was unemployed at the

time I made do with going to Easter Road with my great friend David to see Hibernian

play a meaningless end of season game against Dundee United. The match was very

mundane but there was great stirring in the crowd behind myself and David we were soon

to find out the reason for this. The reason for the crowd reaction was that although Hearts

were drawing 0-0 at Dens Park, Celtic were running rampant at Love Street to the tune of

4-0 all now to play for.

Dundee were taking the game to Hearts in the second half but had yet to score. Enter substitute Albert Kidd. As Dundee pressed he

was to score what perhaps was the most important goal of his career and just a few minutes later he was to add a second and in the

course of it leave Hearts fans stunned. The news was to filter through every ground in Scotland not least of which was Love Street.

Celtic supporters could barely believe their luck as the League Championship had seemed like a forlorn hope but a few months pre-

viously.

Older Hearts fans must have had a feeling of “Déjà vu” as in season 64-65 they lost the Championship to Kilmarnock at Tynecastle

losing 2-0 to lose the league by 0.0004 of a goal, (goal average then applying) prompting Hearts to seek a rule change to goal differ-

ence i.e. goals against, subtracted from goals scored, unfortunately for Hearts they were to be “two-time” losers.

George McAndrew

That famous day on May 19th

2012

The only cup final Scots were interested in on the 19th

May

On Saturday 19th May, there were two cup finals being played.

At 3pm, the Scottish cup final was the first of all Edinburgh finals for 100

years, were Hibernian vs. Heart of Midlothian.

At 7.30 pm, the champion’s league final, Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea.

But the only cup final Edinburgh people were interested in, Hibernian v Heart

of Midlothian.

It turned out the biggest hammering any team had had in many years.

The score 5-1 to Hearts suggests it was a one sided game.

It was the third time in 14 years that Hearts had reached the cup final.

In 1998 they beat Rangers 2-1 and in 2006 they beat, now defunct, Gretna on

penalties.

So winning their third Scottish cup was, I think, a great achievement.

On the Sunday after the game, from the West End to Gorgie, there were thou-

sands of people on the streets to welcome the Scottish cup winners back to

Tynecastle, where I was in the Wheatfield Stand.

It was a brilliant afternoon to be in Gorgie.

It really is amazing that Hibs have never won the Scottish cup but have won

three league titles during the days of the Famous Five.

Bobby McLean

Footprints in the sand of time are not

made by sitting down.

MEDITATIONS ON A CHE ST INFECTION, JANUARY 2012

Being ill or unwell is unpleasant at best, but when you have a chest infection which renders you so short of breath that you can hard-

ly speak or walk without getting badly puffed out, it’s more of a panic situation. I was so breathless I could hardly make myself un-

derstood whilst phoning the surgery; and going to the local newsagent for a paper took over an hour. Then there’s the 4 flights of

stairs back up to my flat! This period of illness lasted about a month, starting on Monday 2nd January – what a start to the new year! –

ans lasted about a month. This episode was even worse than the time I was in hospital with Tuberculosis – at least at that time I was

breathing and speaking more easily.

These meditations were ‘stitched’ together from various strands of Scripture, using a concordance on a central chosen daily theme;

the idea being to be able to read them as a coherent passage and thereby derive some comfort from them. When you’re feeling

stranded, isolated and worried about how you’re going to manage through the next days, you realise you must cast your lot upon

God, pray, and be thankful you’ve made it so far. Each day I took what I thought was a pertinent feature in one’s relationship with

God, then I searched Scripture for those pieces of the jigsaw which, when slotted together, would read like a devotional passage. For

this exercise I’ve retained the King James Version, which I believe lends a certain loftiness and majesty to the subject matter of each

reading.

Monday 02/01/12

O Thou that hearest prayer (Ps. 65:2)

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. (Ps. 34:15); - The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and

delivereth them out of all their troubles (Ps. 34:17). - And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious (Exod.

22:27). - Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear (Isa. 65:24). - He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he

also will hear their cry, and will save them (Ps. 145:19).

And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots......(2Chro. 14:9)...

Then Asa went out against him (2Chro. 14:10).... And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether

with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O

LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee (2Chro.14:11). So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah; and the

Ethiopians fled (2Chro. 14:12).

If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven

(Matt 18:19). - In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil. 4:6). - The prayer of

the upright is his delight (Prov. 15:8).

THE LORDS PRAYER IN SCOTS

I recently bought a copy of “The Four Gospels in Braid Scots, by Rev. Wil-

liam A. Smith. It’s quite hard going, because of all the archaic language, yet

if read out loud it sounds quite impressive. I’d like to share with you this

rendition of the Lord’s prayer:-

Matthew, Chapter 6

9. And sae pray ye ; 'Faither o' us a', bidin Aboon ! Thy name be holie !

10. 'Lat thy reign begin ! Lat thy wull be dune, on the Yirth as in Heeven !

11. 'Gie as ilka day oor needfu' fendin.

12. 'And forgie us a' oor ill deeds, as we e'er forgae thae wha did us ill :

13. ' And lat us no be sifit; but save us frae the Ill-Ane ! For the croon is

thine ain, and the micht and the glorie, for evir and evir, Amen !'

Are charities that give out meals en-

couraging people to not cook for them-

selves?

Bill Wilson:

No, I think it is very needed for some peo-

ple or they would not eat at all, and that is

not good for your health.

I think places like this place and others are

very important.

John Gibson:

Sometimes you don’t have time to cook for

yourself, so the charities provide a backup

in these times.

I cook for myself at home but enjoy com-

ing to the charities where I can enjoy the

food on offer.

Paul McLellan:

No, most people that use these services

need a hot meal, or cannot afford one etc.

Lachlan Cameron-Lovell:

No! I live in a B&B with no cooking facil-

ities! If it wasn’t for people like you, I’d

be living on pot noodles.

Davie Allan:

No – with the influx of eastern Europeans

and home grown homelessness, charities

that give out meals are going to be more a

necessity to eat a meal than at any time

since the 1930’s.

No, some people have no cookers at home.

You need money to buy a cooker and food.

___________________________________

Fire at the pub in Leith walk.

On Saturday April 14th I was in the Volun-

teer Arms with staff from Ladbrokes doing

karaoke. On Monday April 15th the pub

went up on fire, it was an electrical fault in

the cellar, but luckily no one was hurt,

there were lots of fire-fighters and the road

was closed. They missed out on the cup

final as they couldn’t show it on TV. It is

opening up again in June. Here are some

pictures of the pub at the time and after-

wards that I took.

Douglas Forbes

...Of Two Cities

Edinburgh and Glasgow people judge each other for many reasons and each one thinks that

their place better than the other. Though I think the best people to judge these are the people

who live outside the two. The many people who do will on the most part choose one over the

other. People continue to visit Edinburgh in great numbers and one cannot surely be disap-

pointed in the very impressive sights they see. It’s a really fine place. This could be the rea-

son the Queen has made it a royal city. Glaswegians should no longer dislike Edinburgh as a

Scottish haven, as the people over the border have made it an English city now by constantly

moving in with large numbers of Englanders. This should alter the way those of Glasgow

think of their country, as people in Edinburgh only live in their city, they no longer own it.

People think there is competitive rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh, one to outdo the other

in many ways. Though each city is only concerned with keeping up with each other. There are

many differences between them both but places have to be different otherwise they wouldn’t be

interesting. It’s been said that you have to be hard to live in Glasgow. This is true though you

have to be hard to live anywhere. The people of the two cities in Scotland shouldn’t continue to

criticise each other for their ‘faults’ but praise each other for their good points. In their condemna-

tion they have tarred everyone with the same brush in both urban dwellings. Cities of the same

country should not be seen to be so against each other. City links are a good thing to have, there

should always be more than just the arrivals of the buses to bring people of both places together.

Affection is the best link between people, whether it travels or not.

Andrew Watt

I have picked up a

book of my approval.

It is entitled ‘Lyric

dance’. It is a Chris-

tian book. I thank

the Lord for Bethany

giving me this book.

I have been seeking

the Lord myself of

late and I know as

well as my Bible it

will help me to grow

in grace and in the

knowledge. I have

also picked up a

booked called, ‘The

Christian In Com-

plete Armour’. I had

this book before and

it was a lot of help to

me.

Eddie Kilmek

The only thing in life achieved without

effort is failure. Gordon Cameron

18

Are charities that give out meals en-

couraging people to not cook for them-

selves?

Bill Wilson:

No, I think it is very needed for some peo-

ple or they would not eat at all, and that is

not good for your health.

I think places like this place and others are

very important.

John Gibson:

Sometimes you don’t have time to cook for

yourself, so the charities provide a backup

in these times.

I cook for myself at home but enjoy com-

ing to the charities where I can enjoy the

food on offer.

Paul McLellan:

No, most people that use these services

need a hot meal, or cannot afford one etc.

Lachlan Cameron-Lovell:

No! I live in a B&B with no cooking facil-

ities! If it wasn’t for people like you, I’d

be living on pot noodles.

Davie Allan:

No – with the influx of eastern Europeans

and home grown homelessness, charities

that give out meals are going to be more a

necessity to eat a meal than at any time

since the 1930’s.

No, some people have no cookers at home.

You need money to buy a cooker and food.

___________________________________

Fire at the pub in Leith walk.

On Saturday April 14th I was in the Volun-

teer Arms with staff from Ladbrokes doing

karaoke. On Monday April 15th the pub

went up on fire, it was an electrical fault in

the cellar, but luckily no one was hurt,

there were lots of fire-fighters and the road

was closed. They missed out on the cup

final as they couldn’t show it on TV. It is

opening up again in June. Here are some

pictures of the pub at the time and after-

wards that I took.

Douglas Forbes

...Of Two Cities

Edinburgh and Glasgow people judge each other for many reasons and each one thinks that

their place better than the other. Though I think the best people to judge these are the people

who live outside the two. The many people who do will on the most part choose one over the

other. People continue to visit Edinburgh in great numbers and one cannot surely be disap-

pointed in the very impressive sights they see. It’s a really fine place. This could be the rea-

son the Queen has made it a royal city. Glaswegians should no longer dislike Edinburgh as a

Scottish haven, as the people over the border have made it an English city now by constantly

moving in with large numbers of Englanders. This should alter the way those of Glasgow

think of their country, as people in Edinburgh only live in their city, they no longer own it.

People think there is competitive rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh, one to outdo the other

in many ways. Though each city is only concerned with keeping up with each other. There are

many differences between them both but places have to be different otherwise they wouldn’t be

interesting. It’s been said that you have to be hard to live in Glasgow. This is true though you

have to be hard to live anywhere. The people of the two cities in Scotland shouldn’t continue to

criticise each other for their ‘faults’ but praise each other for their good points. In their condemna-

tion they have tarred everyone with the same brush in both urban dwellings. Cities of the same

country should not be seen to be so against each other. City links are a good thing to have, there

should always be more than just the arrivals of the buses to bring people of both places together.

Affection is the best link between people, whether it travels or not.

Andrew Watt

When it comes to giving some people

stop at nothing. 19

The men’s group gave their

thoughts on football in the lead up

to the Scottish Cup Final…

Should football wages be capped?

No, if football clubs are prepared to pay

those wages. You take what you can out of

life.

Roddy Spence

I think they should be capped as this

would help the lower divisions with their

finances.

John Gibson

Yes, they’re paid too much.

Paul McLellan

Should the Scottish Premier League be

expanded?

Yes, to give other clubs a chance at com-

peting with the bigger clubs.

D Jackson

What’s your favourite football

memory?

1986 Den’s Park. Albert Kidd comes on

as a sub and scores two goals preventing

hearts from winning the league.

Scott

It should be remembered that Edinburgh is

also home to a vast ‘outsiders’ population,

and whilst all focus is on the game to end

all games, I for all wish both well. Being a

‘Blue Brazilian’ my memory is of winning

promotion this year. Being a realist I will

expect to be playing 2nd division football

the season after next.

Alan Veale

Watching Indianapolis Colts win the Su-

perbowl! (Ha Ha!)

David Dowd

Should the big teams play in a

European League?

Yes, but also in the domestic league as

well.

D Allan

How can the Scottish national team be

improved?

Change their name to Brazil!

Willie Douglas

The men’s group on eating when

Homeless.

Is it right for people to be vegetarian

when they are homeless?

The question is ridiculous, you have the

‘right’ to be whatever your conscience

dictates, granted it is more difficult.

David Sword**

What is the difference, what is the point of

the question? Is it a crime?

J Demarco.

Yes, homeless people are still people and

should be allowed to enjoy the same free-

doms of choice and religious observances

as the rest of the society. Why de-

humanise further the less fortunate?

Terry Kennedy

No, I think they should take what they can

when they can or they could not be so

hungry, homeless as they would like peo-

ple to believe

John Anderson

Yes why not?

Peter M

Of course it’s their choice

Phil

Can you eat healthily when you don’t

have much money?

Yes vegetables and fruit cost less than

ready made meals and take away.

Looking at supermarket offers on fruit and

veg can help sometimes. Community help

and advice initiatives can advise on organ-

isations selling fruit and veg.

Matthew Simpson

Course you can if you don’t drink cider

and take drugs

Charlie Farrell

What is your top money saving tip for

eating on a budget?

Make a pot of soup and freeze it or buy

food that is going to go out of date.

Daryl

Asda smart price and don’t spend all your

money on drugs

Craig J

Pray to God!

Go to Liddle or Farmfoods, even though

sometimes it isn’t that healthy.

Don’t spend your money or fags, drink or

drugs. Use the soup kitchens.

Charles Maloney

Buy lots of pulses e.g. rice. Invite lots of

friends to yours once, and then they will

invite you…maybe!

Ivor Miller

Don’t draw all your money out of your

cashline account at once and try to budget

your money a bit better.

Stephen McKenzie

What is your favourite meal & why?

MENS GROUP

Resolve always to do right, this will gratify

some people and astonish the rest. 20

Chilli con carne because it warms you up.

Daryl.

Spaghetti bolognaise because it is tasty

and good for you.

Sean Blackwood

Sirloin steak, chips & peas and then

strawberry cheesecake.

Charlie Farrell

Scotland’s great haggis & tatties.

Laird McLean

Chilli con carne, always reminds me of

my mum, she makes great chilli.

Phil

Stuffed chicken with brie in a garlic

mushroom sauce with sauté & mashed

potatoes, broccoli, carrots.

These are all my favourite veggies and

meat sauce. It is also simple to make.

Terry Kennedy.

Should it be a rule that B&B’s should

have a place for you to be able to cook?

I think you should as you can’t always

plan your day around B&B’s.

Brendan Mckay

Certainly

James Bain

No! Everyone wishing to cook would just

argue or someone would come in drunk

and burn the place down.

S Alexander

Yes, you only get one meal = breakfast a

day. This meaning you have to use eating

out premises (chippy/chinese) which are

very expensive and not feasible when on

benefits.

T Kennedy

Yes I do because all I get in my B&B is a

cooked breakfast. Then I got to buy

cooked food because there is no where

else to cook. Especially, for the long term

residents like myself.

John Anderson.

Any funny/strange food story you want

to share?

I once ate fried tarantula in Cambodia!

And drank snake whisky.

Phil

Years ago I was going out with a young

nanny at a children’s home, she invited

me for dinner. The bottom line is what I

thought was stew, turned out it was kit-e-

kat! The kids were in hysterics…

Davie Young

I started an Italian cooking course about

four months ago. I have been cooking

with the Cyrenians for about two years.

The classes are open to anyone that has

been homeless. In my Italian course I

have cooked lasagne, risotto and carbano-

ra. We cook and then eat together after-

wards which is a good community feel.

With the Italian course you also get to

keep the recipes and the other courses you

get a food parcel to take home!

Matthew Simpson.

Do not always say what you know, but

always know what you say 21

HOMEWORK

THE BUGLE NEEDS MORE

CONTRIBUTIONS

SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS, YOUR

ARTWORK, YOUR WRITING AND

ANYTHING ELSE YOU FEE L IKE

SAYING

Streetwork Crisis Service 22 Holyrood Road (0131) 557 6055, 24/7 freephone 0808 178 2323 24 hour provision of advice and support. Food, laundry, showers & lockers available for those accessing support.

Support for Women: Women’s Aid Crisis Helpline (0131) 315 8110 Shakti Women’s Aid (0131) 475 2399 Streetwork Women’s Service (0131) 476 2023

Support for Young People: The Rock Trust (16-25) 55 Albany Street, EH1 3QY (0131) 557 4059 Medical Help NHS 24 0845 42 42 424

Helplines: Drinkline Scotland 0800 7314 314 Advice and information for anyone concerned about alcohol misuse Frank 0800 77 66 00 24-hour drug helpline Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 Shelter 0808 800 4444 Housing info and advice. 9am-5pm Mon-Fri Crossline 0845 658 0045 Counselling helpline Depression Alliance Scotland 0845 123 23 20 - Mon-Thurs 11am-4pm Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 Mon-Thur 6pm-2am, Fri 6pm-Mon 6am

Food:

Grassmarket Mission 86 Candlemaker Row (0131) 225 3626

Various activities for people to get involved in. Free Meals served Tuesday 6-7pm, Wednesday & Friday

12-3pm (limited space)

Little Sisters of the Poor 43 Gilmore Place (0131) 229 5672

Free sandwiches available for collection. Everyday 12-2pm and

5-6pm.

St Catherine’s Convent 4 Lauriston Gardens (0131) 229 2659

Free food: Mon to Fri, 9-11.30am & 5.30-6.30pm

St Mary’s 61 York Place (0131) 556 1798

Provide sandwiches at 5pm every day.

Jericho House 49-53 Lothian Street: entrance on Bristo Place

(0131) 225 8230

Free soup kitchen: Wed & Thu, 6-7pm—Sun 10.30am -1.30pm

Missionaries of Charity

18 Hopetoun Crescent (0131) 556 5444 Meal at 4pm most days (not Thursday)

Bethany Care Van

Free soup & hot drinks: every night, 9:00 - 9.45pm at Waverley Bridge, and then other locations.

Salvation Army Regenr8+ 25 Niddry Street (0131) 5231060

A drop-in that provides food for a small charge (£1 for 3 courses), showering facilities, a clothing store, an advice service and

various events organised from time to time.

WHERE CAN I GET THE RIGHT HELP?