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

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.

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

If you have any comments on The Bugle or would like to get involved give us a call or write to:

Felicity Fyall Bethany Community Education

32 Jane Street Edinburgh EH6 5HD

E-Mail: felicityfyall@bethanychristiantrust.com

Tel: 0131 454 3119

2

We are here!

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Page 2

Info, FAQ and Map

Page 3

Welcome and Contenets

Page 4-5

Various Artices

Page 6-7

In the Spotlight with Norrie Webb

Page 8-9

Various Articles

Page12 –13

The Bugle Art Gallery

Page 23

Homework: Request

Page 24

Christmas Message

TO THE WINTER EDITION OF THE

BUGLE. IT‟S OUR 25TH ISSUE AND

AFTER ALL THIS TIME WE THE TEAM

THOUGHT IT WAS TIME FOR A

CHANGE AND GAVE THE OLD GIRL A

MAKE OVER WITH A NEW COAT OF

PAINT AND A BIGGER WARDROBE.

SO SIT BACK, RELAX AND WE HOPE

YOU ALL ENJOY THIS FESTIVE

ISSUE.

W E L C O M E

ISSUE #25

Dear Readers, We hope you enjoy this Christmas issue put together as ever by the hard working team and a huge thanks to Robert McGregor for putting this issue together, without him…well there would not be no issue! We realise as we say every year, that Christmas is not that perfect Christmas time that everyone imagines and some people just like to hibernate away, but we hope that the front cover says just that…. ’hope at Christmas’ when all looks bleak, there is that glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s look forward to a promising New Year.

Best Wishes FF

The overwhelming sensation I grasp

from the current set of inept politicians

is they are completely out of touch as to

how people feel, the brewing resentment

regarding the bankers, their dealings

their bonuses and how it is affecting us

all in our daily lives. Their attitude

resembling Marie Antoinette‟s „Let

them eat cake‟. A sentiment I have

come across in Internet blogs to

supermarket queues.

Are we on the brink of another

major revolution? Are things that bad

and so similar. Although historians still

debate as to the whys and wherefores

the main reasons for the outbreak of

revolution in 1789 have been accepted

as

Out of touch rulers and

governors. In May 1789 the Estates

General met for the first time since

1614. It was composed of three estates,

the first the clergy the higher ranking

came from noble families, the second

estate the aristocracy they took up

important places not only in the Catholic

Church but in the Military as well by

what they deemed as their right. The

Third Estate was everyone else from

middle class professionals to land

owning peasants and labourers. They

demanded a more just representation to

reflect their numbers they were ignored.

France had severe monetary

difficulties because of being involved in

so many wars the national coffers were

empty. What did the leaders do they

overtaxed the third estate, there was a

10% tithe on their income plus there

were taxes on salt much needed then to

conserve food, cloth bread and wine.

Although the revolution is seen

as the Storming of the Bastille on July

14th for over a year there had been riots

savagely crushed by the military on the

king‟s orders. The cause of the riots

was the price of commodities, on the

one hand scarce because of bad harvests

and the over taxing. The first and

second estates paid little or no taxes.

These factors were further

influenced by French mercenaries who

had returned from fighting the American

Revolution and the ideas of the age of

enlightenment was sweeping through

Europe pushing equality for all and that

Kings did not have an inherent divine

right to rule.

There are some quite eerie

similarities. Out of touch politicians:

Van Rompey the President of the EU

asked for a 5% increase in his

entertainment budget and they are

building a new presidential palace in

Brussels. The millionaire cabinet,

David Cameron spending £700,000 tax

payers money on refurbishment of the

private PM residence in Downing Street,

my personal pet hat George Osborne

Chancellor who knows nothing about

Economics but does have £4,000,000 of

his inheritance in a Swiss Bank account

not paying UK tax on the interest and

just popped off for holiday last year

spending £11,000 on a weeks skiing

holiday for himself and family. But

don‟t worry we are all in this together.

Okay George with your conditions I‟m

in this together. What he spends in a

week some people have less to live on in

a year. And I won‟t even start on the

local politicians and the Edinburgh

Tram Project.

Severe monetary difficulties

what can be said for the Euro Zone the

situation being dealt with the ostrich

style of gamesmanship making a bad

situation worse. Our role in both Iraq

and Afghanistan the latter if our

politicians had learned to read some

history would have seen it was

impossible to control quell manipulate

in the times of the Raj. The British

Mission to Kabul was massacred in the

1860‟s. The Afghans didn‟t want

interference then and they sill don‟t.

As for over taxation as usual

the poor masses are getting poorer to

pay for the arrogant extravagance and

selfishness of the bankers their bonuses

and warmongers through excessive

taxation but are abolishing the higher

end tax and the price of food a topic

heard in everywhere as prices rise and

rise. The directors of the top 100 FTSE

companies had pay rises of over 50%

last year. And for enlightenment the

diffusion of information through the

Internet, social networking was an

important factor in the Arab Spring.

Will those in power pay heed in

time I doubt it. The French Revolution

has been marked as the beginning of our

current era and I feel it is coming to an

end. The seeds for this crisis being

sown in the Thatcher era the

privatisations, selling of council

housing, erosion of trade union power,

creating people more greed motivated

than ever. The gap between rich and

poor, which had been reducing since the

end of the Second World War, began to

widen once more in the late eighties and

has gone from bad to worse.

I admit to feeling ambivalent to

the riots of this summer it has been

brewing for a long time but that many

were opportunist. One looter on being

caught with a TV said the only

difference between me and the bankers

is they loot a lot more. Loot being the

operative word, grasping grabbing as

much as you can for as little effort a

possible.

The retail sector is hoping for a

good Christmas to boost dwindling

profits our politicians such as they are

whatever level or nationality will just

tell us to buy and eat Christmas Cake.

History is cyclical and proves to repeat

itself as we do not alas heed its lessons.

I have felt like many others for some

time that something has got to give and

this time the consequences will be

worldwide.

Julie Ann Thomson

LET THEM EAT (CHRISTMAS) CAKE

4

THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH I have found something nectar-like;

profound, peaceful, unelaborated,

unproduced, the clear light.

Since none to whom I may explain it

will understand, in silence I shall remain

hidden in the forest.

Correct perception leads to the supreme

state, some perception to good rebirths.

The wise thus always expand their

intelligence to think about the inner

nature.

Whatever troubles of this world their

root is ignorance.

You taught the insight which reverses it,

dependent-relativity.

The root of all seen and unseen qualities

is knowledge. Therefore to accomplish

both, hold knowledge firmly.

DISTURBING EMOTIONS Through understanding and by no other

means can these be eliminated. For that

reason understanding is supreme.

Its‟ basis is hearing and therefore

hearing is superlative. Child of the

l ineage, i f you have hear ing,

understanding will arise. If you have

understanding, the disturbing emotions

will be pacified. One who is without the

disturbing emotions will not be harmed

by demons.

BETHLEHEM RE-VISITED

I have spent many Christmas‟s in

Bethlehem, this was before many

political things happened – (twenty to

thirty years ago), in my opinion it used

to be much better, as now there is a

feeling of wanting to show the world it

is a celebration and not a political thing.

Many people that want to come through

cannot get pass through the borders and

checkpoints to get to Bethlehem. This

then brings a feeling of not being a

celebration because of such things as

Israeli occupation, anger at security

measures and also families have lost

people and they obviously do not feel

ina Christmas mood.

I grew up in a Muslim area but we

always went up town on Christmas day

with our communities. In the town there

is always a big Christmas tree, it is not

bought in, it is the same one, that grows

bigger each year and we have to find

more lights to put on it every year!

Many people walk to Bethlehem, many

think if they walk it is a blessing, they

usually set off the night before if they

come from Nazareth. On Christmas Eve

people wait and the celebration lasts all

night, people drinking hot drinks, and

Church bells are always ringing all week

and into the actual day as well. We get

about 100,000 people coming to us.

There is a huge projector that shows

what is happening all night.

On the actual day there are both

morning and night time services at

Church. Christmas day is out on the

street usually praying, remembering

Christ, and people don‟t come back

home till late at night. The food on

Christmas day is much like the UK,

there is Turkey and vegetables, or

sometimes lamb or chicken. There is

also a big market with many kind of

stalls selling all kinds of sweets as well.

There are Muslims and Christians living

in the same area. Muslims celebrate

Christmas day as well as it is a big

celebration, as everything is closed.

Christmas presents are not a big thing

but there is usually a Father Christmas

and he gives small presents to the

children and messages.

Jamal Salah

5

Everything returns to what

remains...run after it and you will

find it...sit and wait patiently and it

will find you.

B. Stirling

(Karma Sangjey Tsering)

6

THE GROUP TALK TO

NORRIE WEBB ABOUT

THE CARE SHELTER

What is your job within Bethany

Christian Trust?

I‟ve just become the Winter Care Shelter

Manager full-time, so my job is to set up

the shelters for the four-and-a-half

month period, which involves roughly

about 30 venue churches and

approximately 80 catering team

churches, though some of them can be

both. Yes, it‟s been an interesting few

months and a very steep learning curve!

So what does a care shelter do?

The team comes on at 8 o‟clock in the

evening along with the catering team,

and what we basically do is provide a

safe and warm environment, to people

who are rough-sleeping on the streets

who are homeless. And what would

happen is that people will have access at

half nine, and they‟re given a warm 2-

course meal, and then we provide a

sleeping area within the church venue

where they will bed down. Lights out is

at half eleven, and they are woken up at

half six and given a breakfast. We

basically take people out the coldest

elements of the winter.

So what was the first date that you

started the care shelter?

Well, we run for four and a half months

and our first date was November the

14th. We finish on the morning of April

the 2nd. We have 2 pick up points, one at

9.15pm and one at 9.30pm and we

transport people so they can get to the

venues. We‟ve unfortunately had to

bring the length of the care shelter down

to four and a half months because of the

lack of funding etcetera.

So what is the estimated number of

people using the care shelter?

The average is thirty per night, but some

of the venues are a little bit less centrally

located, so the numbers do dwindle on

those nights. But the entrance criteria

this year is very strict; if you have an

alternative tenancy or a hostel then you

can‟t use the shelter. Last year the

numbers were going through the roof, so

we‟ve effectively limited it. If you are

offering a safe and secure environment,

you have to follow that through. The

real challenge is when the snow comes,

and the last thing I want the team to

have to do, is to have to say „no‟ to

someone when it is snowing or when it

is minus 3. But last year we had a lot of

people who were using that service who

didn‟t need it - half of them were

getting up in the middle of the night, and

saying I‟m away home and that may

have meant us saying „no‟ to people

who were genuinely homeless so that‟s

why we‟re being stricter this year. We

have also tied in quite closely with

Street Work this year, to make sure

people that are using our service

genuinely don‟t have another option, as

last year people were just coming for a

free meal. The problem with that is that

those people have no respect for the

venues, no respect for the people or

what we are trying to do, as they have an

alternative. There is also a winter

contingency plan put in place by

Edinburgh Council if the temperature

goes below zero. Then they are duty

bound to care for anyone that we can‟t

care for. What I have noticed is that

people think those who use the care

shelter are drug addicts or alcoholics,

but 65% cite relationship breakdowns,

so the whole thought process has

changed. Also what we do have is

people coming to Scotland from

elsewhere, and the reality is they cannot

return home.

Is the number 50/50 sex-wise?

The majority is swung totally towards

males and, I would also say, Eastern

Europeans. I think the most females

we‟ve had in one night is two because

it‟s can be quite a hostile environment,

especially if you‟re not used to it.

Do you think there are more women

who are homeless that just don’t use

the shelter?

I think it‟s unfortunate but when you‟re

in a male-dominated environment,

obviously it can be very intimidating for

females, especially vulnerable females,

in that area, so I think that more than

likely it‟s the last resort for them. But

what we do have is a staff member on

the door all night and a staff member

who‟s in the room all night, who sits

there so nobody‟s actually left on their

own. If someone gets up they‟ll be

checking: our top priority is to ensure

the safety of everyone. If people want to

get up in the middle of the night and

cause a disturbance, then they need to

get their stuff and go.

So you’d put people out at night?

We would if we had to, yes. We had

somebody who was warned four times

the other night because he came in very

drunk, and decided that he wanted to

wake up the venue. If that one decides

that he‟s going to cause the trouble then

it‟s a lot easier to get the one out than

have the twenty-nine wanting to put him

out!

“The churches serve

that food with a smile

and they treat people

with absolute dignity”

So do you give them spiritual help?

Spiritual help, no. We are basically there

to put a roof over someone‟s head and

give them a meal. We have to be very

strict, because if you give someone more

attention than others, they firstly become

a target and secondly, it looks as if

we‟re playing favourites. So you have to

be very, very neutral in regards that

everyone gets treated exactly the same.

To be fair my team are too busy. I know

that might sound strange, but they‟re

watching not just one person, but maybe

28 people, to make sure they‟re all okay.

I mean, there might be people wanting

to use drugs in the toilets, so they‟ve got

to be very careful on that. So they all

have their own zones. What we do tend

to find is it that the catering teams can

interact, which is great.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

“Christian love in

action”

7

We will get asked the question “Do we

call ourselves Christians?” when we

have to make tough calls, but sometimes

there has to be tough love in this world.

If someone‟s behaviour gets to a point

where it starts to affect the masses,

ultimately…it‟s their decision. We may

only see people once so what we try and

hope that what we do is Christian love

in action. The way we treat and speak to

people and the way we look after people

during the night probably makes some

people question themselves about why

we do it. My staff team saved someone‟s

life last week by their actions. A girl

came in heavily under the influence of

heroine and the easy option would have

been to kick her out and give themselves

a quiet night. But that‟s not the choice

they made: they put her in a bed and

monitored her every ten minutes all

night. That‟s the witness we want to

give. That‟s the Christian love in action.

It may be the hard decision and bring

more work, but you know that it‟s worth

it if she wakes up in the morning. She

didn‟t know we even did it, but it

doesn‟t matter, because that‟s what we

were there for. We are so fortunate; our

prayer tree for the care shelter must be

hundreds strong. You arm yourself with

the power of prayer and we hopefully

transfer that to the people we are trying

to help.

“We may have anyone

coming in, but what I

do know is the quality

of my staff and the

e x pe r ie n c e t h e y

have”

Do you start to see the same faces then

once they start to feel it’s safe to

come?

We‟ve got people this year who were

there last year, and then the year before,

and the team know them. From day to

day though it also depends on the venue,

and certain days are quieter.

What do you think about using

Church venues?

My team is only a small part in the

jigsaw, this would be impossible without

the churches. They donate the venue, the

food, the time to do the catering, if you

put a figure on that, we couldn‟t afford

it. We worked out the gift, was probably

about £122,000 last year: it is

phenomenal. It has kind of blown me

away how much effort they have put in

and it has made my life a whole lot

easier than it could have been. They are

sometimes catering for 40 – 50 people a

night, and give themselves 2 hours to do

it! The food and the quality are

phenomenal. The churches serve that

food with a smile and they treat people

with absolute dignity. We need to get

people‟s energy levels back - if they

have been sitting outside all day in the

cold they need to be replenished. A big

meal is just what they need. You would

be amazed at how quickly people go to

sleep in the shelter, but they are just

exhausted,

Are you and your staff medically

trained?

All of our staff have emergency first aid

training. Everyone knows the procedure:

one person will deal with a situation,

another will get everyone back, and

another will phone the emergency

services. It‟s team work. We may have

anyone coming in, but what I do know is

the quality of my staff and the

experience they have.

Is there any way in which you can

move people on and get some help

from you?

There has to be a willingness on both

sides: it has happened where people

have moved from the shelter to the

hostels, and they have got themselves

back on their feet. With regard to the

people who have given up, that is very

hard. It‟s a personal choice. There are

people that have drug and alcohol

problems, some of them maybe quite

comfortable in that zone. The one thing

is that I have a lot of respect for the long

term homeless. Their survival skills are

fantastic. The ones which are such a

shame are the young ones, the ones that

have fallen into the wrong crowd and

are into drugs. Drug users are always

looking for something, some people who

have had a good drink, just want a good

meal and sleep!

There has to be a time when people can

stand on their own two feet and be

independent. I was the same. I lived in

Bethany House in 2002, when I fell on

hard times, and when that happens we

always need that helping hand. Did

anyone speak the gospel to me, no, but

they showed it to me by their actions,

and they didn‟t want anything in return.

The Street Work team have a crisis out

of work team, so we make referrals to

them, working in partnership with them.

Their “Out of the Cold” team deals with

over 50‟s and we make referrals to both

of them. The sad thing is that not

everybody knows about the care shelter.

Maybe when we first started this we

were the wheel, but the wheel is not

going to go very far without an engine.

We are just a small part, without a

doubt. We could not do the care shelter

without all the other partners involved.

Where does your financial help come

from?

The Council and Caring Christmas

Trees and the generosity of the

churches.

What is the age make up in the care

shelter?

Nobody under 16 can come in: they

shouldn‟t be on the streets anyway, and

it sometimes is quite hard to tell when

someone has been rough sleeping for so

long. The weather ages people.

Everyday you are pushing your body to

the max just to survive.

Have you got a good news story from

the care shelter?

Well we have the guy who is manager of

Fresh Start, came to the care shelter,

worked the care shelter and is now

providing 80+ blankets for the care

shelter. That‟s progression. It‟s hard as

some people don‟t want to be reminded

of the past. Some people do, as they are

still doing this job. I would say though

that you never forget it. If you have

never lived it, you don‟t have that

experience. I‟m so used to people

saying how do you know that, and I can

say because I have been there.

What are you going to do when it is

finished?

Take my team out and say thank-you!

And reflect. But that‟s what you don‟t

mind doing - thank-you events for

people. It‟s good I get a chance to say

thank-you, as they help so much.

Do you read the Bugle?

I read the Bugle and enjoy it, apart from

those chess quizzes which I can‟t work

out!

The care shelter:

the challenges are

going to be huge,

but the rewards

are going to be

far greater…

8

THE PRESTIGE OF BEING

A FOOTBALL REFEREE

For all the years I have followed

football, I feel some referees are in the

game for „just prestige‟. Too many refs

are getting pushed through the system

too quickly, and I feel this happens in

Scotland a lot. Some officials get games

that they are not capable of handling.

There are some refs who, in my opinion,

are very biased against the Edinburgh

clubs. There is one referee, a Grade 1

FIFA official (how he got that grade

nobody knows)-he must be well in!

This official will never be forgiven for a

decision he made at Tynecastle three

years ago:

A ball comes across the goalmouth. A

Rangers player goes up along with a

Hearts player, and the Rangers player

suddenly hits the ground. The referee

gives a goal-kick, when suddenly the

linesman puts up his flag. Surprise,

surprise, the ref gives Rangers a

penalty!

The 3-2 win helped Rangers win the

league that season, so he will never be

made welcome by the home support!

The number of referees that have been

sent to the stands for disputing decisions

is amazing: as I say, some officials are

in the game to make a name for

themselves…

In recent weeks referee‟s have came

under even greater scrutiny as people

goal line technology would help with

controversial decisions but Mr Sep

Blatter the top man in Fifa does not

agree. Wake up officials please you are

ruining our beautiful game.

Bobby McLean

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF....

One day I went to the dentist and found

out that I had to get a filling done. My

friend Rita texted asking me to see if I

would like to come round and she

helped me to study. But my boyfriend

went in a bad mood with me because he

wanted to do something with me.

I got all my studying done for my exams

and I was happy with it all. My

boyfriend called asking if he could chum

me to the dentist in the morning and I

said „if you want, that would be nice of

you‟. Then he asked me if I was ready

for my exam and I told „yes I was‟. In

the morning I did my exam and I

finished it, then went to the dentist.

While I was getting the filling done my

phone rang and I got my results and I

passed, I was really proud of myself.

Bob and I went out to celebrate my

success at Guilianos for a nice meal and

we had a good night together as a

couple. It was exactly what I needed

after a tough week.

THAT HOMELESS MAN

He stands in a doorway for shelter

Hoping to stay dry a while longer, he is

always visible in the street and we

cannot help but see him before the

policeman moves him on.

That homeless man has no roof but the

sky and cannot close a door, to lock out

the world so that he might hide from

view but do we see ourselves in him and

cringe.

He has nowhere to hide his small

pleasure. his overindulgence in spirit is

clearly seen. as those of us who are as

just as drunk. head for and hide in the

privacy of „home‟ to sleep off the after

effects of drunkenness.

A homeless man has little pride or

friends, for who would be a friend to

him but others in the same sorry boat

while the miserable seek comfort where

they can. does anyone wonder who he

was before today.

That homeless man we see and scorn

has had to be someone like you and me

but is clearly less fortunate than we are

now. Do we dare believe it cannot

happen to us How would you feel if he

was you and you were he?

Alex Anderson

THE TREE

One day a long time ago there was a witch who lived in the forest, but she

was friendly with the children who loved her too. The children; one girl

called Beth, one called Peter, and one called Crystal, would go to the

forest, and visit the witch and she had a magic tree, and said magic words,

and the tree would open up and they would go into it to a magic land. All

the houses were the colours of the rainbow and the rivers were pink, the

tree‟s were purple and the grass was bright blue, it was a magical land,

they played magical games like hide and seek by disappearing with your

magic wands then appearing in the clouds, but this was another story.

Barbara McMillan

9

DOLPHINS

TO THE RESCUE

A small family was having a picnic on a

lovely sunny day mother father and their

6 year old daughter, Lucy. The family

brought their Labrador so he could run

around. They were having fun and

enjoying the food when suddenly Lucy

ran off after her dog. The mother

shouted “be careful don‟t go to near the

sea”. The dog ran into the water and

Lucy followed, she thought it was fun

then she went too far into the water, got

scared and could not get out.

The parents were calling out after Lucy

and their dog. The dog came running out

off the water. The parents were scared as

Lucy could not swim. The parents ran to

the waterside they were surprised to see

2 dolphins leap out of the water. They

were swimming towards Lucy. The

dolphins swam below Lucy and picked

her up.

Lucy‟s parents were so surprised and

shocked by what they saw. The dolphins

brought Lucy safely back to shore the

parents ran towards Lucy then they

phoned the emergency services they

took Lucy to hospital to get checked out.

Lucy was fine and discharged from

hospital. The family went home they

were delighted to have there daughter

back safe and well.

TRACY SMART

A LETTER TO ABI

Abi I carried you for nine months

And I loved you from the very start.

Really I was so sad when you were.

Taken from me

In fact my heart was broken

I was so sad when you had to part

But I think of your beautiful smile

And It gives me strength to carry on

Baby Abi you were so beautiful and so

perfect. Maybe you were just too perfect

for this cruel world

God must have had a special job only an

angel like you could possibly do.

I lie on the ground and stare in to space

The stars start to move in to the shape

Of your little angelic face. I see you

there now looking down at me with that

cute little head, a special calling that

unfortunately I had no say in…..

Because my darling if I did, you my

precious angel you would still be in

mummy‟s loving arms today. You were

my little star. I look up towards heaven

and I see you shine. I know its you

because I would recognise the twinkle

In your eyes anywhere.

Love you always and forever you will

never be forgotten you will always be

our special angel

Lots of love always mummy, daddy,

Gran n granddad and your big sister

Casey.

SHELL BAY

When we were young we used to walk

to Elie, an eight mile walk.. We did this

every summer. This is one of my

favourite memories. We used to walk

through the burn at shell bay, but once it

was at half tide, but we still go through.

Shaun Palmer

from Methil.

MORE FROM SHELL BAY

At shell bay there used to be nets to

catch the fish as they headed for the

river. They‟re not there now.

Derek Palmer

from Methil

10

OLD & LONELY?

Woke up early yesterday to catch the

sunrise; then it dawned on me.........

At 57 I suddenly realised I‟ve

only three years to go before I‟m in my

sixties – free bus pass and all that. Mind

you, if I were working I‟d still have a

few years to go before I‟d be able to

retire; the government keeps trying to

put the retirement age up and up. Of

course, that means more people working

and paying income tax to fill the coffers.

Then my thoughts turned to

other matters.

Family break-up, divorce and

the decline of marriage are producing

millions of lonely middle-aged Britons.

There is a “considerable increase” in

numbers living alone and facing old age

without the help and support of children

or partners, according to a report from

the Office of National Statistics. It

suggested one in ten men and one in five

women are on their own by the age of

60.

The good news for the middle-

aged is that they are much more

prosperous than counterparts in the past.

They have the benefits of better

education and longer careers than their

parents and grandparents and the great

majority own their own homes.

The findings were set out in an

analysis by the ONS that charted the

lives of people aged between their mid-

forties and mid-sixties. It said that

longer life expectancy means the middle

-aged are more likely to have a parent or

even a grandparent still alive. Late

marriage and the rise of two-career

couples, however, means fewer have

children than in the past.

“More people in mid-life,

particularly men, are now living alone,”

the report found. “This may be related to

the fact that fewer people in mid-life are

married, and more are divorced.”

But those who do have families

are more likely to reach their fifties and

sixties with their children still around

the house and in need of support and

subsidy.

The findings were based on evidence

from several sources, including the long-

running independent British Household

Panel Survey of the lives of 7,500

people, and the ONS‟s own General

Household Survey.

The spread of education – and

in particular the vast increase in

numbers of well-educated women –

means that around a third of both men

and women in their early fifties have a

degree or equivalent.

Two thirds of all men and

nearly half of all women are still holding

down jobs in their late fifties and early

sixties, employment rates that have been

consistently rising over the past 25

years.

More than eight out of ten

middle-ages people are homeowners,

around a third more than in the early

1980‟s, when the right-to-buy

movement was upgrading scores of

thousands of council tenants to owner-

occupier status. The other side of the

home-owning coin is that while in the

early 1980‟s a third of middle-aged

people lived in council homes, the

proportion is social housing is now

down to one in ten; but, unfortunately

for middle-aged parents, their children

may not enjoy the same security and

prosperity.

Numbers of young homebuyers

are falling, the report said, and “it is

currently unclear whether these young

people, as they themselves reach mid-

life, will ultimately become

homeowners”.

Later marriage and childbirth

means „there has been a shift from the

twenties to thirties to early middle age.

Furthermore, among the middle and old

aged, there has been a considerable

increase over time in the proportion

living alone.”

Eddie K

THINK ABOUT IT!

Permanence and impermanence are permanently impermanent.

11

WINTER TIPS AND

TRICKS TO STAY WARM

1. Look after yourself

Eat for warmth - regular hot meals and hot drinks provide warmth and energy.

Keep moving, don't sit still - any activity, even vacuuming gets circulation going and makes you feel warmer.

Think about what you wear - dress appropriately and wrap up warmly, indoors and out. Ideally several layers of thin clothing.

Keep your home at the right temperature - it should be around 21 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit).

Keep warm at night - wearing the right clothing to bed is as important as wrapping up outdoors.

Get a flu jab - every year the flu virus changes, so reduce the risk and get your jab. 2. Keep on top of your benefits Keep up-to-date with what help older people are entitled to this winter.

3. Keep your home warm

Central heating - turn it on, check that it works properly, no leaks or blockages, or get it serviced. If it's a gas appliance, make sure you contact a CORGI registered installer. This means they have been approved by the National Watchdog for Gas Safety. Appliances should also be checked for safety annually.

Electric blankets - anything 10 years old or more should be replaced if possible and certainly serviced in line with manufacturers' guidelines.

Sticking aluminium foil down the back of a radiator close to the wall increase the radiator's efficiency, reflecting the heat back into the room.

Insulation: pipes might need lagging, and heat is lost through draughty doors and windows. Cheap and easy-to-use draft excluders are available in DIY stores.

The letterbox can let in loads of cold air, especially when newspapers are left in them. Banish the breeze with a brush type cover for the letterbox.

Open keyholes also let in loads of cold air. Room temperature can drop ten degrees in one hour. The simple way to remedy this is to buy a little round metal flap - or escutcheon plate - to cover the hole.

Stopcocks. Turn them regularly to make sure they work and haven't seized up. An insurance company won't pay out if your home is flooded because you're not able to turn off the stopcock in the event of a burst main.

Use a luggage label to identify stopcocks, so you can quickly isolate water pipes if you do suffer a burst.

If you have outdoor taps for the garden, make sure you turn off the supply to the outside tap in the winter to prevent the water freezing up all the way into the house. For more advice call The National Home Heat Help line on 0800 33 66 99 (Mon - Fri - 9am to 8pm, Sat - 10am to 3pm) This helpline will be able to assist vulnerable people in a number of ways,

Write in one sentence a positive for

you about visiting support?

I am no longer alone with my problems. Write one sentence about the thing

that makes you feel happiest and

why….

Going outside, seeing the birds, trees and smelling flowers…!

Lynda

Write in one sentence a positive for

you about visiting support?

Having someone to actually help.

Write one sentence about the thing

that makes you feel happiest and

why….

Freedom.

Brian Stirling

Seagull Monique Van Aalst

Sue Johnston

Waiting Room By Graham Cavana

Top Left: A

Waiting Room by

Grayham Cavana

Top Left: B

Seagull by

Monique Van Aalst

Bottom Left

Peregrine by

Sue Johnston

The Call by Monique Van Aalst

Alternative Santa By Graham Cavana

Sue Johnston

Top Right: A

Alternative Santa by

Grayham Cavana

Top Right: B

The Call by

Monique Van Aalst

Bottom Right

Goose by

Sue Johnston

14

WHAT IS YOUR BEST

MONEY SAVING TIP AT

CHRISTMAS? SOME OF

THE WOMAN‟S GROUP

TOP TIPS

„Go to second hand shops or leave

things to the last minute so they will

have reduced in price‟ Michelle

Mcdonald

„Go to the January sales‟

„Collect vouchers and stamps for shops‟

„Get invited to someone else‟s for

Christmas!‟

„Don‟t take out a loan, you don‟t want to

be in debt‟

„Don‟t go out to expensive places‟

„Bake a cake or make your own stuff –

be creative‟

„Go to pound stretchers and shop about

and you will be surprised at what you

find‟

„At the beginning of the year start

putting money away‟

„make homemade gifts, shop in advance,

get kids to make Christmas cards,

browse around when looking for prices

to compare‟ Lucky Kaur

Woman’s Group

WE ARE WHAT LIFE

MAKES US

Raised in isolation isn‟t hard just lacking

in company and the chance to talk and

learn how you feel around people.

Isolation makes people strange to be

with.

As conversation is an art form

something you haven‟t learned you

never explored the where and how of

speaking your mind. Isolated you sit

silent in company Most times you don‟t

know what to say

Because your thoughts are your own you

wonder should you share them letting

them know your story if they have a

mind to hear it There you are, still

isolated, in company.

Do you have the right to hope life will

get better and fill out so you might learn

small-talk to know who and when to

share with those deep and personal

thoughts.

Isolation is just a state of mind you,

alone, waiting and wanting to have just

someone of your own one who

understands your needs and desire As

you try to learn more about theirs.

Isolation is the hand you‟re dealt with

But how will you play your hand To win

or lose the pot. And hope winning stops

that feeling of being always outside

looking in.

Alex Anderson

„The Bethany

Discussion group

meet with MSP

Malcolm Chisholm

to discuss local

And current

issues‟

15

CHILDREN OF THE MIST

Rob Roy MacGregor crossed over from

south Queensferry to north Queensferry,

near Dalmeny. He headed for the hills

by side of Kinross and Balingry, which

was on the other side of the hills. He

was heading for his relations in Leven,

he had collected money from some of

the clans for the Jacobite rebellion to be

sent over to the exiled Jacobite court.

There were soldiers patrolling the

harbour at Leven so at night we went to

the inlet bay at Lower Largo, to send the

money across to France.

He had to plough over the hills which

would be hard for a lowlander to do, but

Rob Roy MacGregor was a Highlander

and was used to hiding out from British

enemy troops, as he was an outlaw. He

sometimes used the name Robertson or

Black, as most of his clan had to do.

That is why there are so many

Robertsons in the phone book.

The MacGregors were called The

Children of the Mist and Sons of the

Wolf, because they were persecuted just

like the wolf. Three shillings was given

for those who brought a head of a wolf,

but the same sum was paid of a head of

a dead MacGregor, hence the name,

Sons of the Wolf.

Gerry McKenna

PROFIT AND VALUE

Where is the profit or even good value

in holding the wealth of a whole world

clutched tightly in your sweaty hand

only to see and realise by achieving that

goal you stand on a rapidly dying world.

See the real profit of your life is not

what you hold but being seen as one

who would revitalise and not rape your

world. True profit and value are there

for all to see and you leave more for

your children to enjoy?

Is it not better to be remembered as a

creator and not a devastator the life

bringer rather than thief. Think of the

legacy you leave having turned barren

land of grey into a fruitful garden of life

and beauty.

Think again will you inspire your seed

to be proud of their ancestor being seen

as one who worked hard but gave rather

than took. By being one who built rather

than destroyed. You leave them an

inspiration worth copying.

Alex Anderson

.

16

QUIZ: HOW FORGIVING

ARE YOU?

You'd like to think you're the type that doesn't hold a grudge. But when push comes to shove and the person being shoved is you, can you forgive and forget? Q1. When someone cuts you off in traffic, you: 1. Tsk, but don't do anything. 2. Tap your horn and mutter darkly to yourself. 3. Lean on the horn, roll down your window, and shout. Q2. You run into someone from high school who wasn't very nice to you. 1. You greet them, but are reserved, and end the conversation soon. 2. You ignore them.

3. You greet them and smile. It's water under the bridge. Q4. You and a friend make weekend plans. The friend cancels at the last minute. 1. You express your annoyance and tell the friend you're going to be on your guard next time. 2. You tell the friend it's fine, and look forward to rescheduling. 3. You say it's fine, but don't call the friend for a while. Q6. Two people cut in front of you at an ice cream shop. Later, you notice police about to ticket their car for a meter violation. 1. You have plenty of quarters, but walk away from the car, whistling a jaunty tune. 2. You have plenty of quarters and drop just one in the meter. They get 15 minutes, no more. 3. You put two or three quarters in the meter. A ticket is a big deal,

even for jerks. Q7. A friendly neighbor hits your pet with his car. The pet will be OK, but is in pain for several weeks. 1. You cut off all contact with the neighbor. 2. You treat him as before. 3. You stop chatting over the fence with him, but you still pick up his mail for him when he's on vacation. Q8. A basically decent person who seriously wronged you at a previous job has an interview at your new company. The boss asks your opinion. 1. You know that the person would do a good job, and say so. 2. You say the person would do a good job, but mention that you had a few personal issues with him. 3. You know he would do a good job, but tell the boss not to hire him.

WORDSEARCH

Find the 21 world religions hidden here in the box

J U D A I S M A I L I

C I L O H T A C O T I

A N G L I C A N J S B

Q U A K E R M U A I A

I F U S I K H C I O H

A M O R M O N U N A A

I M E T H O D I S T W

N D I O T N I H S J Z

N C N S I D I U R D A

U R E H H A P A G A N

S L Z Z H V O O D O O

WO

RD

SE

AR

CH

SO

LUT

IO

N

Th

e 2

1 w

orld

relig

ions w

ere

:

Am

ish

, Ang

lica

n, C

ath

olic

, Dru

id, H

indu

, Ism

aili, J

ain

, Ju

da

ism

, Me

tho

dis

t,

Mo

rmo

n, P

ag

an, Q

uake

r, Sh

ia, S

hin

to, S

ikh, S

ufi, S

unn

i, Ta

ois

t, Vo

od

oo

,

Waha

bi, Z

en.

17

THE TOASTIE CLUB: DAY OUT AT LOCH KATRINE

THE MENS CLUB: DAY OUT AT STIRLING CASTLE

THE CHRISTMAS STORY (Luke 2:1-20)

Find the 22 words by substituting the numbers for letters, by using the key below.

SOLUTIONS

1. 1•10•6•18•10•6•8•17•1 Shepherds

2. 18•8•25•19•1•19•12•21 praising

3. 15•19•8•1•24•14•7•8•12 firstborn

4. 1•11•25•17•17•22•19•12•21 swaddling

5. 20•7•13 joy

6. 11•7•12•17•6•8•6•17 wondered

7. 24•25•3•6•17 taxed

8. 15•22•7•16•5 flock

9. 14•6•24•10•22•6•10•6•26 Bethlehem

10. 16•10•8•19•1•24 Christ

11. 16•25•6•1•25•8 Caesar

12. 10•6•25•9•6•12•22•13 heavenly

13. 25•12•21•6•22 angel

14. 26•25•8•13 Mary

15. 19•12•12 inn

16. 24•19•17•19•12•21•1 tidings

17. 18•6•25•16•6 peace

18. 26•25•12•21•6•8 manger

19. 20•7•1•6•18•10 Joseph

20. 21•22•7•8•13 glory

21. 17•25•9•19•17 David

22. 1•25•9•19•7•23•8 Saviour

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z 25 14 16 17 6 15 21 10 19 20 5 22 26 12 7 18 4 8 1 24 23 9 11 3 13 2

1. 1•10•6•18•10•6•8•17•1 ____________

2. 18•8•25•19•1•19•12•21 ____________

3. 15•19•8•1•24•14•7•8•12 ____________

4. 1•11•25•17•17•22•19•12•21 ____________

5. 20•7•13 ____________

6. 11•7•12•17•6•8•6•17 ____________

7. 24•25•3•6•17 ____________

8. 15•22•7•16•5 ____________

9. 14•6•24•10•22•6•10•6•26 ____________

10. 16•10•8•19•1•24 ____________

11. 16•25•6•1•25•8 ____________

12. 10•6•25•9•6•12•22•13 ____________

13. 25•12•21•6•22 ____________

14. 26•25•8•13 ____________

15. 19•12•12 ____________

16. 24•19•17•19•12•21•1 ____________

17. 18•6•25•16•6 ____________

18. 26•25•12•21•6•8 ____________

19. 20•7•1•6•18•10 ____________

20. 21•22•7•8•13 ____________

21. 17•25•9•19•17 ____________

22. 1•25•9•19•7•23•8 ____________

HOMEWORK

THE BUGLE NEEDS MORE

CONTRIBUTIONS

SEND US YOUR THOUGHTS, YOUR

ARTWORK, YOUR WRITING AND

ANYTHING ELSE YOU FEE L IKE

SAYING

18

19

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-Thur6pm-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?