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2 ISSUE #29 ISSUE #29
ART GALLERY
Sue Johnston
Mon
iqu
e
Monique Van Aalst
Bert Hirst
Bert Hirst
03
The Magazine of Bethany Christian Trust
Where everyone gets the chance to write, photograph, draw and express themselves in the medium of print
The views expressed in The Bugle are not necessarily those of Bethany Christian Trust
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CONTENTS
WELCOME TO THE BUGLE
Art Gallery Part 1
Editorial / Contents
A Tale of two centuries
Jesse Meets The Hoff/Cinderella D
The Big Sing
Gold Wrapping Paper/Romans 8:5
St Nicolas Day
What The Dickens is going on?
Fife Group Museum Outing
Racism & Football/Ranger & Tax
Tales of Leith
The Great Escape
Steven Cummings Gallery 1
Steven Cummings Gallery 2
Christmas Truths
Christmas Truths
Poet’s Corner 1
Poet’s Corner 2
Alex Anderson Poetry
Missing 5 Pound Note/Co-Op Req
Horatius Boner/The Elephant Man
Words and Art
Hidden Gems/Watercolour of Life
FAQ/Request Page
Help Numbers
Art Gallery Part 2
ISSUE #29
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the Winter
edition of the Bugle.
First We at the Bugle
w o u l d l i k e t o
acknowledge the kind
donation from KPMG
which funded the print
run for this edition. We
are very grateful!
Our Mission Statement, should you choose to accept
it….We are a creative, welcoming, open-minded and
supportive group of people who may have experienced
homelessness and are supportive of the issues surrounding
homelessness.
We aim to promote free and open communication which
connects with others through creative writing, journalism
and visual art. We hope to encourage others to think about
issues which are often hidden. We produce a magazine
which reflects real issues but goes deeper than the current
trend for ‘reality.’
The team has worked tirelessly to make The Bugle better as
we go from issue to issue and we always try to make the
Winter edition something special. I think we have surpassed
ourselves in that respect and made a magazine that everyone
will enjoy and remember.
I’ll shut up now and leave you to enjoy all the articles and
artwork.
Boab McGregor P.s I’m the layout and design guy
4 ISSUE #29 ISSUE #29
A Tale of Two Centuries
This year, two hundred years ago, a man destined to be the spokesman for the poor
and the destitute was born. Charles Dickens was both a man of his time and a man
ahead of his time. He experienced great poverty in his youth. His books are packed
with characters and events depicting the dangers as well as the consequences of
society ignoring the plight of the not so well off.
Every year we have the adverts. Sale starts Boxing Day, 8am. It always reminds me
of A Christmas Carol when Scrooge says to Bob Cratchit, who, on Christmas eve is
still working to normal business hours (just like the shops today) “I suppose you
want the whole of tomorrow off……….be here all the earlier the next day”.
I’ve seen jobs advertised where, unless you’ve just left full time education, you have
to have a five year, provable, work history. Very nearly all jobs insist on a reference
from your last employer. In Dickens’s Britain you feared dismissal because that
meant a bad reference or no reference at all. This made it almost impossible to get
another, respectable, job. In today’s Britain people fear losing their jobs because if
the DSS deem it to be your own fault, you don’t get any benefits for a minimum of
thirteen weeks. Both back then and now, the employer has the upper hand. They can and very often do, treat their employees very
badly. Because for every one person in a job there are many, many more people without. So if people don’t toe the line they can be
replaced as easily as breathing.
People may get more money for the work they do these days. But pound for pound the value of a week’s wages, comparing now
and then, is probably the same. Thanks to government policies, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Millions of people live
in poverty, whilst a lucky few amass enormous wealth. If a
person is suspected of benefit fraud they are pursued, prosecuted
and made to pay back every penny. The banks almost brought
Britain to its knees and what did they get? Their bonuses as usual.
With the arrival of the industrial revolution towns were built to
accommodate the needs of industry and trade; not people. Homes
were thrown up in a hurry without a thought for the needs of the
prospective occupants. Britain was an economic powerhouse, but
a country of extremes. As in Dickens’s time there is an alarming
shortage of housing in Britain today. Converted sheds have
become an increasingly mainstream-if illegal-part of the property
market. A landlord throws up some crappy old shed in the
garden, using a few breeze blocks and then charges extortionate
rent. It’s big money provided you’re prepared to trade in human
misery and far too many people are. These back- garden slums
exist to exploit people.
Landlords are also subdividing family homes into smaller units called HMO (House of Multiple Occupation). This isn’t a modern
phenomenon but it is a modern disgrace. With repossessions, rent defaults and lack of social housing (thanks to the, short sighted
housing policies of the Thatcher government in the 1980s) people are now being pushed into sheds, overcrowded houses and/or
homelessness. This is not the Britain of the 1800s. It’s the reality of Britain today.
Charles Dickens was an outspoken advocate of the injustices he saw in the world around him. His stories weren’t written just to
entertain his readers. It was to prick their consciences. When Queen Victoria discovered Oliver Twist wasn’t pure fiction she was
outraged and demanded of her government that something be done. It’s a great pity we have no one to speak out on behalf of the
disadvantaged today. Nothing has fundamentally changed in the last two hundred years and I doubt if the next two hundred years
will be any different..
Pamela Hannon
5 ISSUE #29
Jesse Meets The Hoff
It was no Hassle for Jessie to dance
with the Hoff!
One of our team, Jessie Csere, already
well known locally for her dancing, had
the good fortune to dance with none less
than the David Hasselhoff, or The Hoff!
She met him at an Evening with the Hoff
and he invited her onto the stage to join
him in a performance!
Cinderella
A really funny take on the serious story
of Cinderella and it worked so well
unlike some other humourless narratives.
The pantomime was really credible set in
modern time. Credibility can mean more
to certain people than to others when
considering works of entertainment. The
acting was just right and the actors
certainly looked as if they were enjoying
the experience.
The sheer absurdity of mixing past
events with individuals in modern dress
in ‘Midsummer Nights’ Dream’ ruined
the show for me personally as it made a
nonsense of this poor take on an
excellent work of perhaps England’s
greatest writer. Taking some stories out
of their setting in time or adding present
events with the past doesn’t always come
off right. I feel sure that if Shakespeare
could awake from the longest sleep he
would die again of shock because of the
dire way people have treated this classic.
All the actors in Cinderella looked as if
they were enjoying their role as why they
played whether a good character or bad.
There were a very good number of
people in attendance for a preview. They
really seemed to enjoy this Christmas
fayre. Bethany are most certainly to be
congratulated for making tickets
Joe Appleby & Calum Drury
The latest film in the Batman trilogy is The Dark Knight Rises. The fighting style in the movie was
very distinctive. It is Keysi Fighting Method, a style of Spanish Gypsy origin. One of the scenes also
featured over 10,000 extras and some of these were professional American Football players.
After Batman left the last film bust and broken he makes the decision to go back to Gotham City
despite the people there being disappointed in him after him running away. He comes back to find
Bane destroying his city. Batman decides he has to take action.
The fighting scenes and special effects were smooth and well thought out which added to the realism
of the movie. The running time of the film was quite long and sometimes you struggled to keep
concentration throughout the movie. Despite the running time it was highly entertaining and full of
action.
The Dark Knight Rises
review
6 ISSUE #29 ISSUE #29
Today Bethany Bugle Press Team learned about The Big Sing. We did this by interviewing Helen Scott, a 4th year Student of
History. She is The Community Relations Officer for The Edinburgh University Music Society (EUMS) and her instrument of
choice is The French Horn.
The Society has 3 ensembles; they are 2 orchestras and a single chorus which tour annually. The Big Sing comes under the
charitable arm of EUMS.
The first Big Sing was held in October 2011 and was a great success. This latest was earlier this month and has just given Bethany
Christian Trust somewhere in the region of £900.
The full sum is unknown, at this time, but as we know there is a Credit Crunch in the UK, it was pleasing to have raised the sum
from a single night of playing a ninety minutes, abridged, version of Handel’s Messiah.
The Orchestra and chorus, on the night, consisted of Society members and a number of Non-Society members (Joe and Josephine
public) who paid for the chance to play and be the chorus of this much loved piece. It was played in St. Cuthbert’s Church, (stands
in the Churchyard at the foot of Lothian Road).
In the interval between parts 1 and 2 the Society held an auction for the right to ‘conduct’ the orchestra and chorus but the successful
bidder took no offence when he realised they were playing and singing better than his ‘conducting’ merited. His lack of umbrage
was pleasing to see when he entered into the spirit of things by clearly attempting to slow the tempo to a walk, so great fun was had.
This is the second of 2 Big Sings and it is felt that lessons were learnt from the success of the first event. Future plans will depend on
the new Committee’s choices but, as we at The Bugle like to support worthy charitable ‘do’s’ we asked how The Bugle could be of
help.
The answer is that we might advertise The Big Sing and point out The Society’s need for musicians willing to pay for the chance to
play; singers willing to pay to sing and enough of an audience for both to entertain. Current audience prices were Tickets £15.00 to
general (waged) public and £8.00 for students and unemployed (concession rate is under review).
As our readership knows, The Bugle does not contain advertisements. However we, three Interviewers, representing The Bugle
Press Team, all agree such a charitable venture deserves to be advertised by The Bugle. That is why I say, subject to the full team
agreement, watch out for The Big Sing details in 2013 editions of The Bugle BUT, if you want to get involved directly, make a note
of www.eums.org.uk and make your own contact. Let’s hope 2013 is as much fun as 2012 seems to have been.
By Alex Anderson, Pamela Hannon and Joe Appleby
2012
7 ISSUE #29
THE GOLD WRAPPING PAPER
An Inspiring Christmas Story
Once upon a time, a man punished his five-year-old daughter for using up the family’s only roll of expensive gold wrapping paper
before Christmas.
Money was tight, so he became even more upset when on Christmas
Eve, he saw that the child had used the expensive gold paper to decorate
a large shoebox she had put under the Christmas tree.
Nevertheless, the next morning the little girl, filled with excitement,
brought the gift box to her father and said, "This is for you, Daddy!"
As he opened the box, the father was embarrassed by his earlier overre-
action, now regretting how he had punished her.
But when he opened the shoebox, he found it was empty and again his
anger flared. "Don't you know, young lady,” he said harshly, “when you
give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the
package!"
The little girl looked up at him with sad tears rolling from her eyes and
whispered: "Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into it until it was all
full."
The father was crushed. He fell on his knees and put his arms around his precious little girl. He begged her to forgive him for his
unnecessary anger.
An accident took the life of the child only a short time later. It is told that the father kept this little gold box by his bed for all the
years of his life. Whenever he was discouraged or faced difficult problems, he would open the box, take out an imaginary kiss, and
remember the love of this beautiful child who had put it there.
Romans 8:5
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the
things of the Spirit.
At Destiny Church College the students read this verse at the end of term. I go to Destiny church and my friends Gordon and Wil-
liam go too. I help to show people to their seats and two weeks ago I helped the preacher, I took the lectern and his Ipad up to the
stage.
If you live according to the Spirit you think about God and Jesus. You pray and treat people with kindness; helping and speaking to
them.
Douglas Forbes
8 ISSUE #29 ISSUE #29
St Nicolas day, a Dutch traditional feast
In my native country The Netherlands we are lucky enough to celebrate two special
holidays, Christmas and St Nicolas day which takes place every year on the
6thDecember, but the pre-fun starts on St Nicholas’ Eve on 5th December. I’d like to
share more about the background of this tradition with you.
Traditionally the winter holiday figure, Saint Nicolas is known in Holland as
‘Sinterklaas’ or the ‘Goedheiligman’ (the good Holy man). Some people refer to him as
just ‘De Sint’ (The Saint).
He looks a bit like a mixture of Santa Claus and the Pope as his appearance is stately and
serious with white long hair and a long full beard. He wears a long red cloak over a
traditional white bishop’s alb, dons a red mitre and in his hand he holds a gold-coloured
crosier, a long ceremonial shepherd’s staff with a fancy curled top. While visiting
primary schools, he carries a big book that tells whether each individual child has been
good or naughty in the past year. Traditionally he rides a white grey called Amerigo.
When Sinterklaas and his assistants called ‘ZwartePieten’ or Black Petes visit children,
they carry a bag which contains candy for nice children and a chimney sweep’s broom
made of willow branches, or ‘roe’ used to ‘punish’ naughty children. Or at least they were threatened with it in case they
misbehave.
Zwarte Piet or Black Pete
Saint Nicolas is often accompanied by ‘Zwarte Pieten’ or Black Petes, usually an adolescent in blackface with black curly hair,
dressed up like a 17th century page in a colourful dress, often with a lace collar and donning a feathered cap.The Black Petes
have roughly the same relationship to the Dutch Saint Nicolas that the elves have to America’s Santa Claus. During the Middle
Ages ‘Zwarte Piet’ was a name for evil. Although the character of Black Pete was later considered to be racist his origins were
in the evil figure. There are different versions of the origin of this helper. One of them claimed that St Nicolas liberated an
Ethiopian slave boy called Piter (from St Peter) from a Myra market (present day Turkey) and the boy was so grateful he
decided to stay with St. Nicolas as a helper. Today, Black Petes have become more modern servants and often have black faces
because they climb down chimneys to drop the presents.
St Nicolas Eve
On 5th December, St Nicolas Eve, children put carrots in their shoes in front of the fire place or close to the door.The children
then sing a song dedicated to St. Nicolas. The next day on 6th December children find a present in their shoes. There are various
ways to celebrate this feast in the Netherlands.
When I was an older child and had sort of debunked the myth of St. Nicolas, our family and a few of my aunts, uncles and
cousins gathered together to each pick a name out of a glass bowl in secret. For this person we chose we had to write a mock
poem with a surprise which contains a present. For example this surprise could be a horseshoe if the person loved horses or a
car if the person you picked was fond of cars. The kind of treats we were munching on were traditionally chocolate letters
(initial of the person’s name), chocolate coins, marzipan figures, a type of shortcrust biscuit or gingerbread biscuit called
‘pepernoten’ and ‘kruidnoten’, a sort of biscuit called ‘speculaas’, mandarin oranges a nd
we were drinking hot chocolate. You can imagine these were happy
childhood memories indeed.
History of Saint Nicolas
St Nicolas is said to have originated from St. Nicolaus, the Bishop of Mira,
who lived in Turkey in the 3rd century. As legend has it, he saved the town
from starvation, revived some children from dying, and offered gifts of hand
me downs to poor girls so they didn’t have to become prostitutes. Originally
the feast celebrates the name of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children,
Sinterklaas and Black Pete
St. Nicolas’ Treats
9 ISSUE #29
sailors and the city of Amsterdam.
Being a bishop the feast in this form has a Roman Catholic background and is also celebrated annually in Belgium and Northern
France. In Northern France St Nicolas became the patron saint of school children in the then
church schools.
His fame spread to Europe and the folk feast arose during the ‘Middle Ages’. Traditionally St
Nicolas arrives in the Netherlands in mid-November each year by steamboat from Spain
where he is based.
Saint Nicolas versus Santa Claus
Saint Nicholas is also the source of the holiday figure of Santa Claus in North America. It is
often claimed that during the American War of Independence, the inhabitants of New York
City, a former Dutch colonial town (New Amsterdam), reinvented their ‘Sinterklaas’ tradition
as Saint Nicholas was a symbol of the city’s non-English past. The name Santa Claus
supposedly derived from the older Sinter Klaas. However the Saint Nicolas Society was not
founded until 1835 almost half a century after the end of the war. Monique van Aalst
St Nicolas in North France
What the Dickens is going on here?
That might well have been Charles Dicken’s question of his works. In his lifetime books were too expensive for the ordinary
working man to afford. It is said he serialised his work and never knew before he wrote each new piece where it was going. It was
also said he chapterised his works so the poor could also afford to buy the ‘chapters’ and read them.
I think most of us will agree, he created stories that were social documentaries, highlighting the plight of homeless and the
downtrodden poor of his era. My reason for bringing up this point is, I believe, a century later, his books could still speak for those
same minorities who are still with us today. The names and the faces might have changed but the homeless and poor are still here
and I’m not convinced their numbers have shrunk.
Are the poor and the homeless kept in poverty and identifiable by successive governments because there is an idea going round that
governments need homelessness to convince the rest of us we are better off than those others and so we ‘bear’ the brunt of bad
government under the belief that ‘things will get better soon.’
Is it ever going to get better for the poorest among us if each successive regime uses the homeless and downtrodden as a scapegoat
for their incompetence and mishandling of the communal purse.
Now, just in case you think they are not incompetent and mishandling the UK’s communal purse I ask you to look at recent
government spending that made no sense nor was it wanted by us the people. Have we not regularly seen that the government is
hypocritical and self-seeking, just as it has always been?
My grounds for saying this can be seen in the scandalous behaviour of politicians who keep creating laws for all of us to live by and
who then break them when it suits them.
A real example of this was politicians passed a law saying any unemployed person who did a single day’s work so as to make ends
meet (remember we are talking maybe £20) is defrauding the community by not declaring the sum while those same law-makers
‘steal’ thousands of pounds each from that purse.
I cite for your consideration Moran who claimed for three bedrooms furnishing of a single bedroom flat. How was the case
resolved? It was claimed she was not mentally fit enough to cope with the case. I wonder how many starving, debt-ridden, poor
people could be treated in that lenient way? She could be seen as able to be an MP and run the country while unfit to run her own
finances?
She is just one of so many who have been seen to be defrauding the same purse by ‘creative accounting’ as they seek to recover
‘expenses’ that they never paid out and should not be claiming for. In my book anyone doing a day’s work, to make ends meet, is
much less guilty than a greed driven person who is claiming thousands of pounds s/he is not entitled to.
Now that they have been found out their plea is ‘I’ll pay the money back, but I should not go to jail.’
I ask ‘Why should they not go to jail?’ It was their law that levied that penalty on all who defraud the communal purse. Now that
they have been found out how can they be above the law?
Again are we not seeing yet another example of one law for the rich and one for the poor and, in my book that is hypocrisy! What
say you?
Alex J Anderson
ISSUE #29 10 ISSUE #29
Fife group museum outing
Volcanic Eruptions
No two volcanic eruptions are the same. Some volcanoes propel huge rocks and clouds of dust high into the sky.
From spectacular lava fountains to violent gassy explosions, each eruption is the result of a unique mix of chemical reactions taking
place under the Earth’s crust.
Scottish Wildcat persecution
Almost led to the wildcat’s extinction at the beginning of the 20th century. As the population recovered, the species has become
threatened by hybridization with domestic cats.
There may be just 35 purebred ones left in Scotland.
And there are only 150 breeding pairs left – breeding with domestic and feral cats are among the main threats to the numbers of pure
-breed wildcats.
By Colin
Gyro Plane 33/1
The first gyroplane was designed in 1943 by David Kay and John Grieve of Scone and built by Shields Grange in Perth. The aircraft
was the first to use variable incidence rotors, a feature to be used on all standard helicopters.
By Tony F
Highlights of my Day
The highlight of the day was our meal at City Cafe where fish and chips were the order of the day. Couldn’t eat another mouth full,
D licious!
Anonymous
Face of Britannia
Frances Teresa Stuart (1647 – 1708) Her image was used on the British coins and banknotes until decimalisation in 1971.
Anonymous
11 ISSUE #29
Racism and Football – A Blind Spot in Football?
Once again the name of what used to be called the ‘beautiful game’ by no less a personage as Pele’ has had its name dragged
through the gutter by the recent antics of so-called ‘fans’ of the Premier League club West Ham United in a recent game at White
Hart Lane against Tottemham Hotspur by the chanting of anti-Semitic slogans aimed at their Jewish supporters. The abhorrent use
of chanting like this is driving away the decent football fans by the score and it’s high time that the football authorities began to
take a significant stand against this ‘cancer’ by deducting points from the clubs concerned, so that the ‘yobs’ within the football
community began to get the message.
George McAndrew
Rangers and The Big Tax Case
The former Rangers Football Club won its £48 Million so-called ‘big tax case’ yesterday as an appeal ruled its use of tax-free loans
was legal. The tax tribunal which heard the club’s appeal over their bill for the use of Employee Benefit Trusts delivered a majority
verdict which ‘allowed the appeal in principle’.
Rangers had argued that the payments had been loans rather than wages and therefore not subject to tax. However this was disputed
by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, who said it may now appeal the verdict, which disagreed with the view that some Rangers
staff were paid through a tax avoidance scheme between 2001 and 2010.
The tribunal found that most trusts were valid and the loans remain recoverable by the trusts formed.
The former Rangers FC were plunged into administration in February with the tax case hanging over the club.
However, the administration was brought about after it emerged Rangers had not paid PAYE and VAT in the 2011/12 financial
year under Craig Whyte’s ownership.
Former Rangers chairman Alastair Johnston said last night that, had the big tax case not been hanging over the club, he didn’t be-
lieve a sale to Whyte would have happened, adding ‘We would not have gone through administration’.
The club, which boasts one of the largest fan bases in world football, is now in the Scottish Third Division.
Yesterday’s decision does not affect the current club at Ibrox, which was reconstituted as a new company when the Old Company
Rangers -Oldco- was consigned to liquidation in June.
Oldco Rangers’ former Craig Whyte had previously stated they could be liable for up to £75 million but the tribunal ruled the
HMRC assessment should be ‘reduced substantially’.
Sir David Murray initiated the EBT scheme at Rangers in 2001 through Murray International Holdings, who were majority share-
holders of the Oldco club until Whyte’s takeover in May 2011.
MIH declared in a statement last night; ‘We are satisfied that the tax tribunal has now published its widely awaited decision and
note the contents thereof. We are pleased with the judgment, which leaves minimal tax liability and overwhelmingly supports the
views collectively and consistently held by our advisers, legal counsel and MIH itself’. HMRC revealed they were thinking about
mounting a challenge to the decision , which was supported by two of the judges, Kenneth Mure QC and Scott Rae, but opposed by
the other Dr Heidi Poon.
A statement from HMRC read: ‘We are disappointed we have lost this stage of the court process and we are considering an appeal.
‘The decision was not unanimous and the diligence of HMRC investigators was acknowledged by the whole tribunal. HMRC is
committed to tackling avoidance and it is right we challenge the type of avoidance seen in this case’.
George McAndrew
Recommended Rock Records For Your Christmas Stockings
Clockwork Angels – Rush. AC/DC – Live At River Plate. The Who- Live At Hull. Marc Bolan and T Rex – The Slider
(Anniversary Edition) Led Zeppelin – Celebration Day. ‘Nuggets’ – Compiled by Lenny Kaye
George McAndrew
12 ISSUE #29 ISSUE #29
Tales of Leith
Were the ‘olden days’ golden? Nowadays, have we gained
‘independence’ at the expense of community feeling? Gordon Innes
certainly feels that people knew and cared about each other more when
he was a boy. Here are some of his stories:
The Chacelot Mill was on the site where the Job Centre is now. The empty flour mill
formed the playground of my youth. Sliding the chutes was dangerous as a fall meant
getting bitten by the rats! One boy got bitten and I remember he had to have a lot of
jags.
As a boy, I knew the local police. They would come in for a drink with my Dad, they were
friends. If only they had known that the whisky that my Dad served them was the stuff he had
pinched out of the Whisky Bones in Commercial St!
He used to bring it home and we had to clean it because it had just come out of the vat. We
cleaned it in a big old fashioned ceramic baking bowl with a pair of tights over it to stop any
specks of dust coming in
My Dad was some character. He worked as a chippie, in a bakers, as a member of the riot police
in Northern Rhodesia as it was called then, Zambia now. He carried a 3 foot baton to defend
himself against machetes. When a white man was machetted to death my Dad decided that
enough was enough and we came back.
I was only two and don’t remember
much but my Mum told me that when
my brother got off the plane in the
UK he asked what the white stuff
falling from the sky was as he had
never seen snow before. We had a
banana tree at the bottom of the
garden so my brother couldn’t
understand when we had to pay
money for bananas in the UK!
As a young man I would borrow a cup of sugar or a couple of eggs from the neighbour. We all knew each other.
Now I wouldn’t ask a neighbour for anything because they wouldn’t know who I am. I live in a fourteen story building with six
flats on each floor and don’t even know the names of my neighbours.
I remember the first time I met a religious woman. She
worked in the pub and told us she wasn’t impressed with our
antics. She put a swear box up in the pub. It made a lot of
money for the church. I guess we went along with it because
she was a Christian and to get her off our backs but the fact
that she was beautiful helped!
She was the first person that I had met who was really into
being a Christian; it was her lifestyle, her life. She told me she
had read the Bible twice and was starting to read it for the
third time. I said that I would ask her one question about the
Bible and if she got it right I would buy her a drink and if she
got it wrong she had to buy me a drink.
Dr Bells School in Leith
Un
kn
ow
n C
lose
in L
eith
Imperial Dry-dock in Leith
Old 20 Shilling Note
The Foot of Leith Walk
13 ISSUE #29
She commented that she had seen me con people into buying me a drink many times! I said it was just one simple question and
asked her who, in the Bible, cut off Samson’s hair. As everybody does she answered “Delilah” but this answer is wrong The answer
is that Delilah sent forth for two servants to cut of Samson’s hair.
This is a common misconception; what people think is the truth often isn’t and that is how a conman works his magic!
Further Leith stories in the next edition! Why not write in with your own?
Gordon Innes
The Shore in Leith Leith Docks Parliament House in Leith
THE GREAT ESCAPE
As the pen is mightier than the sword I will put my pen to paper and we shall see what comes of it. My tongue will be the pen of a
ready writer and what the Father gives to me I will sing; I only want to be his breath; I only want to glorify the King.
When August comes round Sandra, my wife and I consider our usual holiday to Mull, a beautiful spot. As we sail from Oban
having undergone a long journey from Glasgow. Actually we came from Edinburgh a distance from our little cottage in
Longniddry. This is by the way of introduction.
Fionnphort was our destination where our holiday caravan is situated. Nearby in the village the ferry can be found offering a trip
over the sea to the famous religious island of Iona, with its silver sands.
A way of escape – this is St.Columba’s island. He brought Christianity to these shores many years ago.
Sixteen years ago come Sept. 7th Sandra and I spent our honeymoon together becoming more acquainted with each other for 2
weeks. On arrival at St.Columba’s hotel I noticed a book about Buddha, I said to the lady, who escorted us “we will not be needing
this” and held the ungodly book for her to take away.
Untitled
May you follow God’s
Word in the Bible
May you be calm
And selected about who
You are.
Sue Johnston
ISSUE #29 14 ISSUE #29
Me and My Drawings
This is my first real attempt to reveal my drawings to anyone outside my social circle, so I am a little nervous about other people’s
opinions. For me doing drawings is very peaceful as I seem to forget my surroundings for a while. I don’t always start a draw ing
with any intention to concentrate on any idea of the outcome of the finished artwork, but often just draw what I feel and keep adding
until I feel it’s done. When I’m finished I am always surprised at what I seem to see as I feel it reflects upon my life and feelings. I
sincerely hope at least some readers may enjoy my work, maybe even see something uplifting.
Thank you,
Steven Cummings.
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STEVEN CUMMING’S
ART
16 ISSUE #29 ISSUE #29
Christmas Truths Jimmy Savile abused victims total rises to 500 (at 30 Nov); it was 160, then 340, back in October.
Return of Baby-Hatches.- unwanted children would be abandoned and left with nuns in convents.
The Homeless are now sleeping in converted shipping containers.
Israel is now in between the King of the North / King of the South (Daniel 11) = Syria and Iran.
Unfair Benefits Sanctions cause winter hardship for the unemployed
Sweden bans mention of Jesus at kids’ Advent services.
Underemployment affects 10.5% of UK workforce; or Universal Credit – would you credit it?
Welfare-to-Work programme – all programme and no work
“Spare Room” tax for council tenants; taxed according to the size of your spare bedroom.
The sick + disabled: forced to work for no pay in order to receive benefits. 1,100 deaths recorded.
These aren’t merely headlines at this festive time of year; they are topics which we will be touching on in the Bugle magazine throughout the new year.
Times are really good for some, pretty bad for others. This is the time when the Enemy rubs his hands (hoofs?) and gets out his
vacuum cleaner to suck us up and into a period of rushing about, panic buying, hasty preparations, excesses of all kinds........
The Prince of the power of the air bombards us with conflicting, confusing thoughts; tired and over-repeated christmas music blaring
out in shops, shopping malls, radio and television. He loves it when he sees us sleepwalking into and dancing along to his danse
macabre: we are mind-numbed and zombie-like in following tradition, error; practises from the pagan past – all interweaved and
craftily blurred into a broth of fable, fact and fiction. Atheists, cynics and skeptics attack us believers, and just love engaging us in
debate and argument. Their Christmas carol is “Oh come, let us ignore him...”
And yet, as soon as Christmas Day is over, many people sigh: “Thank God that’s over for another year!” Or, “If it wisnae fur the
kids, I’d ban Christmas!” Watching people’s behaviour at Christmas reminds me of the honeymoon: the long, slow, big build-up
then Bang! It’s all over, and afterwards they wonder what the fuss was all about. Much of the ‘magic’ of Christmas was conjured up
by Charles Dickens in his novel “A Christmas Carol”. And thanks to the German Prince Albert – Queen Victoria’s husband – we
now feature the decorated Christmas tree – a tradition he brought over from his homeland.
Oh – and the Internet of course – the “elephant in the room.”
Looks like we really could do with a Saviour right now, eh?
But there is good news. Read on............
When I was a kid, my favourite thing about Christmas was our wooden crib, which we used to place on the table on which the
Christmas tree would stand. For me it represented all there was to need to know about Christmas bible story: Mary, Joseph, Child in
the manger; the ox and the ass, perhaps a sheep or two. Then there were the figures of the “three wise men”, along with a shepherd;
an angel up above, and, of course, the Star of Bethlehem. All lit up in a warm cosy glow from a few lights from the tree.
Now, fifty years on, this same scene still fascinates me, because it raises so many questions I cannot quite answer. And it’s good
territory for the atheists................ let’s look closer at some examples:-
Three Wise Men (Kings)?
Show me where it says three wise men? Yes, they brought three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh (what the heck is myrrh?) –
but it could’ve been anything between two to twenty wise men. I’m sure these “Magi” would’ve travelled with their train of servants
and extra donkeys, and so on.
In Matthew 2:1 – the Greek word “magoi” = Magi, derived from “Mageon” (Strong’s 3096) “to be a magician, to use magic arts,
practise magic, sorcery”; compare Acts 8:9 “a man named Simon had practiced sorcery” – the same Greek word is used. Hence we
get the word “Magician”, or “Magistrate,” or the Latin “Magister”, which means “teacher”, or the english “Master”. Note also that
it’s only Matthew who mentions the Magi; Luke mentions shepherds and angels. It’s probable these Magi were astrologers who
would go by the stars’ movements to predict the seasons, etc.
Born in Bethlehem?
In Matthew 2:5 he mentions “Bethlehem in Judaea”, and quotes from Micah 5:2 – “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah.......”
Cynics claim this was made up to fit in with the prophecy.
It’s interesting to note he specifies Bethlehem “in Judaea”; if only one Bethlehem existed, there would be no point in specifying
where it is located. But here’s the point: did you know there’s another Bethlehem only a few miles away from Nazareth? You can
see and check for yourself in a good bible geography guide. Bethlehem “in Judaea” is a journey of some 89 miles, and do you really
think it feasible for Mary – heavily pregnant and near her time – could make the journey sitting and being bumped and jostled on a
donkey? Remember too, the terrain is very hilly and mountainous – read Luke 1:39 when Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth “in the
hill country of Judaea” to tell her the good news of her being pregnant.
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Had they indeed made the longer journey to Bethlehem, they probably would have joined a caravan of travellers for safety in
numbers. Meanwhile, who’s looking after the security of their house back in Nazareth? And what are they doing for money along
the journey, not to mention overnight stops, food, and so on?
Born in a stable?
In Luke 2:6 it’s recorded that there was no room at the inn. The Greek word “Kataluma” (Strong’s 2646) can mean “lodging”,
“inn”, or “guest-chamber”. Also there is no mention in any of the Gospels that animals were in attendance. I find this interesting,
for if you read the prophecy of Habakkuk 3:17 – “there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls” . Yes, He was indeed
born in a manger – a feeding box for animals – but then in those days, animals weren’t keep outside, set apart from the house; but a
special area was set aside for them joining onto the house. Then there’s the fact that Joseph was originally a Bethlehem man, so it’s
possible he knew friends, family or acquaintances who could have put them up for a few nights. You’ll also find the same word
“kataluma” in Luke 22:11, where Jesus sends his disciples to go find somewhere to hold the last supper. They are to ask the owner
of the house: “where is the guest-room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”
The Census.
Any census I’ve been involved in (e.g. the recent U.K. census) didn’t require me to go back to Bonnyrigg – my hometown. No, the
purpose of a census is to record the number of people in a certain location in the here-and-now. The Bible census was demanded by
Quirinius (Cyrenius) because the Roman leaders wanted to get more taxes. Each man had to return to his hometown to register. In
Joseph’s case he had to return to Bethlehem. But which Bethlehem (see above)?
Questions, questions. I could go on. The time and date of Jesus’ birth. NOT December 25th! Shepherds wouldn’t still be in their
fields with their sheep; they usually brought the sheep down from the hillsides around October. December 25 th is the early
(Catholic) church’s compromise with the pagan idolaters, just to keep them happy and to get more bums on seats in the churches.
Mistletoe, Yule Logs, Christmas trees and all the trappings find their origin in pagan cultures around the world. I recommend you
read George Frazer’s “The Golden Bough” for a full analysis. You can get it as a free pdf file online at www.archive.org.
Oh, and that star! Well, there’s been so many New Agers and such trying to find ancient records of a comet, or meteorite which just
happened to be passing over Bethlehem that night.........................
But as I said earlier, there is good news. Nowadays I don’t bother celebrating Christmas in the traditional way, but rather
concentrate on what to me is the true message. I find it in Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:6-8 à
Philippians 2 (God’s Word Version)
6 Although he was in the form of God and equal with God, he did not take advantage of this equality.
7 Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans, by having a human appearance.
8 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, death on a cross.
It’s the incarnation of Christ which gives me the greatest hope and cheer at this time of the year. That
fact alone is enough for me to have a reason to celebrate my faith and hope. And if anyone challenges you with similar questions,
use the same weapon which I use:- Prove all things (1Thess.5:21) (KJV). If it’s not in the Bible, kick it out.
Finally, and harking back to my first news headline, I’m reminded of a quote from Shakespeare, found in his play, Julius Caesar;
Act III, scene 2. It’s at the start of that famous speech by Mark Anthony – you know the one – where he comes to bury and pay
tribute to his friend Caesar : “Friends, Romans, countrymen!....
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones.
When Savile was alive he was a hero; when he died, almost a saint; now the evil becomes clear.
When Jesus was alive he was a nuisance to the Jewish heirarchy; though dead, his Good endures.
Submitted by the very reverend Eddie (Scrooge) Cuckpowder. Eddie Klimek
18 ISSUE #29
Every Christmas is the coolest
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas
and think that’s sublime.
Just think of the ones that live in
ice country at any time.
Eskimos and polar bears have white
Xmases all the year round.
They have one type of weather always
and travel on ice instead of ground.
An Eskimo likes the cold so much
that he builds houses of ice.
A wise decision as far as rodents are
concerned
there’s no trouble with mice.
unlike us they haven’t lost their
hardiness the ice is where they sit.
And they always like the house they
get (the same) even if they flit.
Nobody over-eats when living at
The North or South poles.
When they catch fish at either
one is better than a shoal.
I think we would all like to live
The life of a polar bear.
Wearing a fur coat as clothing
And living a life without care.
We guys think we’re so cool
but don’t know the meaning
of the word.
There are guys living on the poles
that are so cool, it’s absolutely absurd.
Andrew Watt
Complicated
At the moment my life is so complicated,
I feel like I am torn in two.
Really I don’t know what to do.
I am back in a no win relationship.
I want to spend the rest of my life with
him but no matter what we just argue.
I have given him so many chances. Every
time you always stray.
You always say it will be different.
You always say you will change.
I know it isn’t just you, it is me too
although I have never cheated.
No one wants us to be together, maybe
that’s the attraction.
I love you to bits.
Too much has happened.
Don’t know if we can be how we were, in
fact, I think we can’t.
7 ½ years is a long time.
At the start I was glad you were mine, you
were a bad boy, always in the jail.
Then I stopped you from getting into
strife.
You asked me to be your wife.
No chance! It is mad enough just now.
Sometimes I wish I’d never got with you
but then again I’d never have got my two
kids.
Sadly Abi passed away.
That’s when everything changed.
Every day, I wonder if there was
something I could have done to make Abi
stay.
For her death every day I pay.
Anonymous
Beyond the horizon
The horizon is like tomorrow
Hiding adventures, joy and sorrow.
It is forever the limit of our sight
And beyond it we cannot see.
As the horizon links land or sea to sky.
The horizon changes with forward travel
And by movement some mysteries unravel
But never do we see the whole picture.
Living with hope is the only cure.
Like tomorrow waits to be lived out,
So the horizon gives the silent shout;
“ Come and see what waits for you
Tomorrow and beyond the horizon.”
Alex Anderson
Toastie Club
The Toastie Club is part of Bethany’s
Community Education work in Fife
Sleeping rough it’s not that easy but it’s
very tough.
It’s cold and it’s wet enough is enough.
Get up in the morning, we jump to our
feet,
Go to the place where we all meet.
Don’t know the time, don’t care about the
weather
A tea, a coffee, a bite and a blether.
Get relaxed, grab a seat, a sip of tea and
some heat
Read the paper, have a wee chat, we talk
About this, we talk about that.
Thank Bill that we have this place because
To some it’s a saving grace.
No airs, no graces, just some changing
faces
Moving around from places to places.
So the next time you’re there remember
the fee
All it takes is a smile and your 20p.
Remember it’s Bill, he’s open, he’s fair, he
won’t
Put you down, nor up in the air.
He says what he says, then says a prayer.
So the next time we sleep rough or things
get tough
And we all think enough is enough
There is a place where we can go
Where the rain is off and the winds don’t
blow.
We’ll all be up and not get low.
Poet’s Corner
ISSUE #29
19 ISSUE #29
The toastie is the place where we’ll see
Bill
With a smile and a glow lets just
remember
There’s always a place to go.
Thankyou Toastie and thank you Bill
We got a smile and had our fill
Thankyou toastie and thankyou Bill
So God bless with good will
Let’s all be thankful he gave us Bill.
TL
Memories of a dear gran Lizzy.
Dear gran, I think of you by day and
dream of you at night.
It’s been 23 years but I still love you.
You’re in heaven now with granddad Bob.
You married young and were so in love.
I love you my darling granny. Miss you.
Night night. RIP.
Yvonne
Monsters
Shops that haven't any monsters in them,
don't rate with me.
I can drink as many large cans of these
as with cups of tea.
Though, I am always a weightwatcher
And only drink from a limited two.
My favourite taste is one of the low
Calorie varieties of Monster blue.
And the Sherbet flavoured M Zero helps
me to get the day done.
the necessary energy drink aids me
to get the day won
Although I have to watch when drinking
them
in public the abuse I fear
Cause unfortunately they bear a strong
resemblance to cans of beer.
I need energy drinks nowadays and more
than just a few,
As I can't go the pace of life not now that
I am sixty two.
I have no belief in evolution or a time
when
Monster creatures were the Kings,
But they rule now because men worked all
night in the lab to make the things.
Andrew Watt
If
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost.
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellows will.
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you are outclassed, you are.
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go to the
stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later the one who wins is the
one who thinks he can.
Anonymous
Do you feel regret?
We all have dreams
some more reachable than others
but a dream is an unfulfilled desire
to be the one others remember
as they tried to reach for the gold medal.
Do we not feel the regret in Brando’s cry,
“I could’ve been a contender,”
remembering a close friend’s
“if only I had done this one other thing?”
or another’s imploring cry
“I just couldn’t do enough”?
Surely the only failures are never to have
tried
or making another give up on their dream.
As an adult I gave up on love because it
hurt
but as a parent I saw the truth
tell your child “you are bad”
and you make them feel bad.
Tell a child “that is a bad thing you do”
and you give them a reason not to do it
ever again.
I had a girlfriend who painted a prize
winning picture
she stopped painting thanks to friends
they told her she was useless enough times
she believed and gave up on her art.
Do you feel regret saying what you felt
now you see you may have been wrong to
say it?
Alex J. Anderson
Yes A
lex, I th
ink
this is y
ou
!
20 ISSUE #29
Give Life One Last Try
So you believe you’re alone
that life is a constant groan
because you’re in shit up to the neck
and thinking what the heck
why struggle to stay alive.
You feel you can’t get any colder
your hand is slipping on the boulder.
You’re struggling to keep your mobile
high
and you want to surrender with a sigh
so why not make one last cry for help.
Reach out
with the heartfelt shout
‘God, help me?’
and maybe then you’ll see
an unseen hand lifts you out of the mire.
After all, what have you got to lose?
Samaritans is not just a voice on the phone
Talking warms the chilled bone.
Just by being there
you know someone does care.
That problem shared can be the saving of
you.
Think how an electronic phone line
has saved worthless lives like mine.
Though going a chronic blue
make the call; speak words honest and
true.
You are not as alone as you think you are
help needs to be known before it can be
offered.
A hand reaching out for you
is the physical clue
God and a friend heard your sorrowful
state
And making that call led fate
To give you the help you need to stay
alive.
Remember you’ll be a long time dead if
you die quietly.
Alex J Anderson
Childhood Over
We play the cards that life has dealt us.
We can sit, cry and cuss
or turn losses into gains.
All it costs is effort and pains
and have not our athletes shown the way.
Paralympians severely damaged by life
survived the surgeon’s knife
then made great strides from wheelchairs.
They could have succumbed to their cares
but drove pain wracked bodies to become
winners.
It is not what we have that matters.
Working hard shatters
conceptions of what we can do and be
for have they not made us see
all who bow to hurts horrendous are the
losers?
Not all adults good parents make.
As the child we learn to take
what they show us.
Too young to make a fuss
we can be better than our parents were.
The choice is ours.
will we cry for hours
be what they made us be
or struggle to be free
and proudly burst out of the trap
aiming to turn childish crap
into adult gold; childhood over.
Alex J. Anderson
ISSUE #29
21 ISSUE #29
The Missing Five Pound Note
Kirkgate George worked for the Post Office and his job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day just before
Christmas, a letter landed on his desk simply addressed in shaky handwriting: 'To God'. With no other clue on the envelope,
George opened the letter and read:
Dear God,
I am an 93 year old widow living on the State pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had £100 in it, which was all the
money I had in the world and no pension due until after Christmas. Next week is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends
over for Christmas lunch. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only
hope. God; can you please help me?
Kirkgate George was really touched, and being kind hearted, he put a copy of the letter up on the staff notice board at the main Tel-
ford sorting office where he worked. The letter touched the other postmen and they all dug into their pockets and had a whip
round. Between them they raised £95. Using an officially franked Post Office envelope, they sent the cash on to the old lady, and
for the rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of the nice thing they had done.
Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter simply addressed to 'God' landed in the Sorting Office. Many of the
postmen gathered around while George opened the letter. It read,
Dear God,
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your generosity, I was able to provide a lovely luncheon for
my friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful gift - in fact we haven't gotten over it and even Father
John, our parish priest, is beside himself with joy. By the way, there was £5 missing. I think it must have been those thieving fel-
lows at the Post Office.
George could not help musing on Oscar Wilde's quote: 'A good deed never goes unpunished'
Your Co-operation is
requested
A tight-fisted small businessman in the North of Scotland
had fallen on hard times, and his creditors were
increasingly insistent that he meet their demands. After
trying to ease his situation in various ways, without
success, he learned of a major lottery which was soon to
take place. And despite his religious scruples, he decided
there was nothing else for it. “O Lord,” he prayed, “help
me win the raffle.”
As the day of the draw approached, and his debts
loomed even larger, he redoubled his prayers and begged
on his knees in increasing desperation, “Lordie, Lordie.
O help me win the raffle.” And finally, a voice came
from heaven, in exasperated reply: “Angus! Meet me half
“O Come Let us Ignore him”
Image courtesy of The Plain Truth
www.plain-truth.org.uk
22 ISSUE #29
Horatius Bonar
Horatius Bonar (better known as the Prince
of Scottish Hymn writers) wrote this hymn
in 1846 whilst he was the pastor of a Pres-
byterian Church in Kelso.
The Hymn invites us to accept what Jesus
offers: rest from our burdens (verse 1),
living water to quench our thirst (verse 2),
and light for life’s journey (verse 3).
I hope you enjoy reading this Hymn as
much as I have done over the years. I find
it quite simply beautiful. Enjoy.
I heard the voice of Jesus say
I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Come unto
Me and rest;
Lay down thy weary one, lay down Thy
head upon my breast’.
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn
and sad,
I found in him a resting place, and He has
made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Behold I
freely give
The living water; thirsty one stoop down,
and drink and live’
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life
giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my sole revived,
and now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘I am this
dark world’s light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all
thy day be bright’.
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my
star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till trav-
eling days are done.
Peter Yates
The Elephant Man
Based on an article in The Independent on Sunday
He was the stuff of children’s nightmares, outcast by a Victorian society unable to
comprehend his grotesque deformities, but was later immortalised in films and plays.
Joseph Merrick, better know as the Elephant Man, is one of medical history’s enig-
mas: 122 years after his death, no one knows exactly what caused his extreme disfig-
urement. But scientists will attempt to solve the puzzle next month by extracting DNA
from his bones for analysis.
Merrick came to the attention of the medical profession in the 1880’s. Ever since sci-
entists have struggled to explain the huge growths that caused him to be shunned and
finally celebrated by society-by the end of his life his courage and humility had, at
last, been recognised. Merrick became a folk hero for speaking up for others who were
similarly afflicted.
It was initially thought that he suffered from Elephantiasis, a parasitic infection char-
acterised by the thickening of skin and tissue, hence his nickname.
Then, in 2001,some scientists suggested that Merrick had suffered from a rare disease
called Proteus syndrome-a congenital disorder that causes skin overgrowth and abnor-
mal bone development .But other experts questioned the diagnosis, saying the way his
disease manifested was not typical of that condition.
It is hoped this research will finally prove conclusive.
Scientists will extract DNA from Merrick’s skeleton which has been kept at the Royal
London Hospital at Whitechapel, east London, since his death, aged 27, in 1890. Tests
will then be carried out to see if it is possible to sequence Merrick’s genome thereby
identifying any gene alteration. The already complex technique has been made harder
by the fact that Merrick’s skeleton has been poorly preserved, and years of bleaching
to keep it clean have degraded the remains.
Researchers hope that, by finally diagnosing his condition, they will be able to treat
other sufferers.
Professor Richard Trembath, vice-principal and executive dean at Queen Mary, Uni-
versity of London, who is overseeing the research and who holds responsibility for the
safe keeping of Merrick’s skeleton, said:” This is going to be extremely demanding.
We know we can get genetic material out of the bone of Merrick. We now need to
know whether we can get sufficient from what we believe to be abnormal bone as well
as sufficient from normal bone.
“In doing it, we have an absolute regard to make sure we preserve the skeleton. We
can’t just mash a whole amount of it up. We have to preserve it for future generations
Because it’s an important historical record.”
Merrick was born in Leicester in 1862.Because of his deformities, he was rejected by
his father and stepmother and was forced on to the street to earn a living .He wore a
cap and hood in an attempt to hide his disfigurement. He finally took a job as a side-
show “freak”, exhibited as a curiosity. It wasn’t until the surgeon Frederick Treves
took him under his wing and brought him to the London Hospital, where he lived out
his final years, that he became something of a celebrity-he was even visited by Alex-
andra, Princess of Wales.
Such is the power of Joseph Merrick’s story, that adaptations of it continue to run to-
day. The American actor Bradley Cooper is currently staring in a stage adaptation of
The Elephant Man, and David Lynch’s 1980 film of the same name, where Merrick
was played by John Hurt, earned several Oscar nominations. An opera has also been
composed that tells the story of Merrick’s life.
George McAndrew
ISSUE #29
23 ISSUE #29
‘I am what I am’
I am what I am. I am not perfect, but strive to be a perfectionist. I am not handsome, but they say beauty is in the eye of the
beholder. They say an open mind is a healthy mind. Respect yourself (United we stand) Think Positive. Forget the things you
cannot do and do the things you can do – One day at a time – one step at a time – keeping it simple (they say) Simplicity is the best
Design .We are all free Spirits of the Universe, temporarily held momentarily in a time lock; searching, looking, listening,
sometimes being frustrated by our limitations and lack of vision or our own selfishness; hindering the steps forward into the
unknown! Faith can move mountains (-they say-) but sometimes it cannot get us off our back-sides. Apathy is the enemy of
everybody! Hope is the alternative – fighting for our independence of free will, free speech, freedom of our rights. Being a
Romantic Realist is really difficult, but still… I am what I am.
Garry Miller
Garry Miller: Word’s and Art
Reg the Ted
There once wis a wee blue teddy bear –
Reg – wis his name.
It wis funny, cos he had a west coast
accent
An’ he came fae Tranent.
He wis wearin; a fitba strip a’ the colours
O’ a rainbow.
And everywhere the wee blue teddy went,
Three wee Glesga gnomes wid follow
him.
Jist tae gae him the Glesga jip.
But yin day when the sun wisnae shinin’.
The big bad ugly wolf, fae behind the
stane wa’,
Wid come an’ start behavin’ extremely
oddly.
Because he hid just eaten half a
dictionary.
Waves
The waves of a dreich November night,
Crashed like an avalanche of hailstones,
On the moonlit, lonesome shore.
The seaweed wavered wearily,
On the still silent sand dunes,
As an ink black cloud,
Blanked out the shining moon,
Momentarily.
Then suddenly a thunderbolt of lightning
Electrified the laid bare beach,
The cry of a distant gull,
Echoed eerily.
As a scarlet scorching sun rises
Heavenly on the new day’s horizon.
Garry Miller
24 ISSUE #29
Hidden Gems
People generally think of gems in terms of precious stones. When I socialize in the company of people older than myself I like to
seek out the hidden gems of their lives. Their talents, their abilities, their accomplishments (to use a term of the past). When I lived
in Devon I knew a gentleman of eighty who could read, write and speak three languages. His native English plus French and Italian.
But because he could only speak and not read as well as write in German, he felt himself deficient. I was saddened to find he had
such a low opinion of himself, but nothing I said to him had the power to alter his thinking. It got me thinking. Most of us are blind
to are own talents and even blinder to the good or high opinion of others.
Some people however have no such negativity about themselves. Jimmy is a, ten years retired, music teacher from Edinburgh. To
here him speak of composers and compositions, or of music through the ages, is to be filled with joy. His passion is not only conta-
gious it is positively infectious. The animation in his voice, the change in his features as he vocally brings the listener into his world
is lovely.
Bert Hirst is a drawer and painter of landscapes and people. He lives in warden controlled flats where, some years ago now, he
produced a set of four paintings for the communal meeting room.
Pamela Hannon
New Devotional: The Watercolour of Life
Faith in God mixed with tears of suffering paint a meaningful picture on the canvases of our lives. “Trust in the Lord and do good,
delight thyself also in the Lord and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart” Psalm 37: verses 3,4. KJV.
When you feel you are in the eye of your storm and yet still choose to somehow help others in their hour of need you “paint more
beauty” onto that “Canvas” that God delights in. When you gave someone a helping hand when you felt unsteady, when you visited
someone in hospital while you were sick. You shared a meal with someone who had nothing when you were poor.
You cheered someone up with a smile even though you felt depressed.
God will reward us only we have to be patient as we wait on Him.
So, keep “painting” that picture with hues of acts of mercy and you shall receive mercy.
“He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27 KJV
Anonymous
ISSUE #29
25 ISSUE #29
Frequently Asked Questions Every Issue we will have a FAQ section in order to answer any questions or complaints you may have
regarding The Bugle. Whether its about an article an image or even the design and layout of the magazine then
send them to
We will do our best to answer all your questions but remember if you have a complaint then please make it
constructive so we can improve the quality of our work and the magazine in general.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
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. Just remember you don't need to be homeless, you just need to want to join us and be supportive
of the issues surrounding homelessness’?
What can we submit to The Bugle?
Almost anything you can think of. People have submitted drawings, poems, comments, photos, sonnets and puzzles
amongst other things! ...and if we forgot to mention anything then feel free to write and tell us.
NEXT ISSUE Before we go we at The Bugle would like ask for your help. With Christmas almost here and with cut
backs on benefits affecting almost everyone on them, We would like to hear from you. Are you
suffering from the changes? Are you doing ok?
We want to know how you are coping, are you surviving as the world buries itself deeper in the
recession or are you worried that the cuts are going deeper into your pockets and making it more than
difficult to get by?
Whatever your story, we would like you to share it and maybe your stories can help other as well as
yourselves.
Email Carly at [email protected]
FEELING LOST? NOWHERE TO TURN?
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. HERE ARE SOME PHONE NUMBERS THAT MAY HELP
The Access Point (TAP) 17 & 23 Leith Street, (0131)
529 7438
Anyone 18+, without children and homeless in
Edinburgh should register here. Advice about
entitlements, eligibility for temporary accommodation
and benefits.
For under 18s or those with children go to the
Housing Options Team 1 Cockburn Street, (0131)
529 7368
Out with normal working hours call the Council Out
of Hours Service on 0800 032 5968
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.
Salvation Army Regenr8+ 25 Niddrie Street (0131)
523 1060
A drop-in that provides food for a small charge (£1 for
3 courses), a clothing store, a shower, an advice
service and run various events. Drop-in to find out
more.
Edinburgh Housing Advice Partnership (EHAP)
0845 302 4607 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
The Advice Shop 85-87 South Bridge
(0131) 200 2360 Benefits and debt advice
Emergency Social Work Service 0800 731 6969
Call if concerned about vulnerable adults or children
Support for Young People
The Rock Trust, 55 Albany Street, (0131) 557 4059
Medical Help
NHS 24, 08454 24 24 24
Edinburgh Homeless Practice, 17 Leith Street
(0131) 529 7747
Cowgate Clinic, 20 Cowgate, (0131) 240 2810
Support for Women
Edinburgh Women’s Aid (0131) 315 8110
Shakti Women’s Aid (0131) 475 2399
Streetwork Women’s Service (0131) 556 9756
Money and Benefits
To apply for benefits call 0800 055 6688
Jobcentreplus Crisis Loans 0800 032 7952
ART GALLERY
Sue Johnston
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