Another side of Lesley Riddoch

Wind crofters and strictly cyclists

This week, it's the turn of wind energy and cycling to feature in the @lesleyriddoch podcast. Concepts like 'wind crofters' and 'strict liability' will be explored in the light of the 'Land Reform Review Group' interim report and Emma Way and the #bloodycyclist affair. However, we do start with an unusual appeal.

 The whole issue of land ownership and usage has been re-ignited by a whole series of events and blogs, including Andy Wightman's. Lesley touched on it briefly this week in the Scotsman.

 The whole premise of the "#bloodycyclist" meltdown was the idea a motorist could bump a cyclist with impunity. We discuss the various reactions and delve into strict liability again. The video mentioned is here.

And finally, Lesley touches briefly on her encounter with architects, albeit student architects....

Catch a grip over Europe – Radio 4

I've just got back from a very entertaining evening in the New Broadcasting House for the last in the present series of Radio Four's Leader Conference series where five hacks decide which of the day's stories should be the subject of a leader opinion column in a mythical newspaper – Andrew Rawnsley of the Observer chaired the discussion along with myself, Kirsty Buchanan of the Sunday Express; Nigel Nelson of the People; Aditya Chakrabortty of the Guardian; and Graeme Demianyk of the Western Morning News. The programme went out live and I'm quietly chuffed at managing to get a few Scottish perspectives in without (apparently) irritating the heck out of the (mostly) London contributors and productions team. Not that I'm worried about annoying folk – just that it stops people hearing you. Anyway, the programme website seemed to embrace my suggestion that David Cameron and the whole English media should "catch a grip" over Britain in Europe; we discussed the crisis in Accident and Emergency services (and Im grateful to Colin Mair of the Improvement Service for an invaluable chat that gave me the facts and figures about the poor, frail, malnourished and cold elderly making up a growing proportion of A&E admissions; and I seemed to get general support for the notion men-only golf clubs should not get the Ryder Cup or Open tournaments. Have a listen. And thanks to Producer Simon Coates and PA Jacqui Johnson for a warm and welcoming experience.

Recycling Opposition

Incinerating rubbish works. That's the message from Kim Olsson from Helsingborg in Sweden. In this week's podcast, Lesley reflects on the detail of Kim's presentation to the most recent Nordic Horizons meeting. Lesley also develops the background to her Scotsman article on the theme of recycling.

And finally on the 'you catch more bees with honey than vinegar' topic; Lesley takes a sideways look at the two woman opposition leaders in Holyrood and asks 'why nippy?'.

This is your 'Lesley Riddoch Podcast' for this week.

Women Energy Speakers

I was at a brilliant Women in Renewable Energy Scotland event in the Scottish Parliament tonight listening to organiser Gail Watt, Rajini Sokhi of FES Renewables Ltd and Morag Watson of WWF speaking from the heart about the old fashioned and counterproductive "dog eat dog," over-competitive male culture which has permeated the City and now threatens to snarl up "new" industries like renewable energy. All speakers stressed the different outlook and outcomes achieved through collaboration and urged action to get women into the workplace so renewable expansion plans don't grind to a halt through lack of "conventional" (male) expertise. Gathering in business cards later -- to make sure I can pass on details of these great speakers the next time someone says "there are no good Scottish women speakers on energy" … I felt another crowd sourced Women's List coming on.

So here we go. A small start – if you'd like to nominate a woman with expertise who wants to speak on the subject of Energy (renewable or otherwise) or want to correct any descriptions here -- please get in touch by adding a comment here or Facebook or twitter. Thanks.

 Tina Buchanan, Financial Consultant Aberdeen Specialist in district heating systems

Dr Aylwin Pillair – Law Lecturer Aberdeen University specialist in renewable consents and legal arguments on both sides of the offshore test centre Donald Trump wants to stop.

Morag Watson Policy Advisor WWF – good on the collaborative way Renewables work and renewable schools projects. Rajini Sokhi of FES Renewables Ltd

More info at Women In Renewable Energy Scotland.

Desert Island Disks at Loretto School

In front of a packed audience at Loretto School, Simon Lowe, Director of Expressive Arts, interviewed Lesley in the style of Desert Island Disks. There were 8 records and a gentle conversation about Lesley's life and times. We recorded the speech bits and it's just over an hour long. Enjoy!

 

Download Lesley's Desert Island Disks at Loretto School

 

Hello to tweeps or twitter or FB followers

After some recent media, I seem to have a large number of followers in the social media world. One of my interests is the role of the Nordic model in shaping our future. I started a real world group called 'Nordic Horizons'

Nordic Horizons is a policy group that aims to find out what makes the most successful small countries in the world work so well. We have round table debates on specific policy areas in the Scottish Parliament usually kicked off by someone from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland or Iceland with direct experience. We've already talked about early years, outdoor kindergarten, women's quotas, small municipal government, the High North and drilling for oil in the Arctic and the "Nordic Model" itself. We hope to confirm a sizzling wee programme for the rest of this year by our next meeting on Feb 7th - McKommunes -- people-sized government for Scotland. Nordic Horizons is a cross party and no party group and the aim is to learn from Nordic success, not blindly copy every aspect of Nordic life. We think Scotland needs more working examples of how small nations can work better - whether devolved or independent - and we hope Scotland can bring something to the party too (and not just a large Macallans).

Check out our Facebook group and join in - all event details are also posted here. and you would be very welcome on 7th if you are in Edinburgh- you need to book a place - but  - be quick - there are just 20 places left!

Referendum Groundhog Day

Picture the scene. Your nation has been involved in a lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of the biggest infrastructure project undertaken for a century -- a new proposed high speed rail link. Almost every angle has been agonised over and a decision looms. When suddenly, from a capital city 400 miles away comes a last minute intervention. What if the rail link wrecks the landscape? Has anyone thought of that?

The roar of OLD NEWS would be heard as far away as Shetland. But exactly such a “lost-in-time” contribution has just been made by the UK government regarding the Scottish referendum. Have we thought that it should be held sooner than later “for our own good?” Er, yes. A lot.

Previously...historians in a comedy club...November 30th

Photos courtesy of Colin Hattersley

This was the history posse in the Stand Comedy Club in Edinburgh.

The event promised;

The Devine Judgement

Historically, we tend to view the drain of people from Scotland’s shores in the light of loss. But is this necessarily the case? Could Scotland’s diaspora be an advantage to our small nation?

Join Professor Tom Devine, Professor Richard Finlay, Dr Andrew MacKillop, Dr Catriona MM Macdonald, Frank Cogliano and chair Lesley Riddoch to tussle with the legacy of Scotland’s diaspora – advantage or disadvantage?

Result. It was funny, enlightening and great history!

Scots, Empire, Alyth and History

Despite being poorly and running around with "Previously....Scotland's History Festival " ; it was great to catch up with John MacKenzie; author, historian and raconteur. John is one of those academics who combines insight with enthusiasm. We sat down and had a wide ranging conversation. From views of the Empire through to independence; it was fascinating to pull apart the issues. 

It was not the usual 'Lesley Riddoch Podcast' but the opportunity was too good to miss; an academic at close quarters ! Good craic ensued.

The latest instalment of 'Nordic Horizons'

From Nordoc Horizons Oct 2011

The meeting in the Scottish Parliament was a great success and Mary Hilson spoke to a packed Committee Room 1. A huge range of issues were raised in a lively discussion where the concept of a 'Nordic Model' or 'Nordic Models' was given a good airing. 

Lesley Riddoch spoke to Mary after the event and recorded Mary's impressions of the debate.

 

Listen to the Mary Hilson Interview