The local paper on the south side of Glasgow was interviewing a P6 boy at a school going big on Burns for the Homecoming. “What messages do you think the Bard gives us for today?” asked the reporter earnestly.
“Burns says we should enjoy ourselves while we’re young!” the lad replied enthusiastically, while the teacher wondered exactly what he had managed to get over about the life and times of Rabbie “Lothario” Burns.
Work in progress
The esteemed body of researchers in Scotland has a unique way of acknowledging the worth of its colleagues - it doesn’t bother to wait until they’ve finished their work.
David Johnston, a lecturer in Aberdeen University’s education faculty, was awarded the Estelle Brisard Memorial Prize by the Scottish Educational Research Association - and would be “available for interview,” the university proudly announced.
Turns out, however, that he is only half-way through writing up his findings, on the school placement experiences of trainee teachers. Not only that, the paper which wowed the judges apparently focused on the students’ negative experiences, and he is not keen to venture out into the daylight until he restores the balance.
What a star.
Compo mentis
Regular TESS columnist Sean McPartlin recently celebrated son Patrick’s 21st at, as befits a veteran Hibee, the Easter Road shrine.
In the company were retired persons David Henderson, late of this parish, and Jim Langan, formerly a depute head in Edinburgh. They were naturally delighted to share their table with Hibs legend Lawrie Reilly, still hale and hearty (surely not? Ed) at 80. Genial celebrity host Grant Stott recognised the celebrations: “At table 14, Patrick McPartlin celebrates his 21st and, as you can see, Patrick has joined the cast of Last of the Summer Wine for the day.”
Unfortunately, the football chat was completely overshadowed by a furious discussion over who of the eminent guests was Compo.
A mugs game
Making the local government concordat interesting is a challenge. But Trevor Muir, chief exec of Midlothian Council, did his best. At the conference on the subject (TESS last week), he threw out a challenge in the style of Have I Got News For You.
Up on the screen went the mugs of council chief Pat Watters, finance supremo John Swinney, King Henry I of England and Pope Paschal II. No odd-one out in this case, however. It was what they had in common that counted - they had all signed a concordat, of course.
Isn’t that interesting?
