Chris Smith Associates

Derry Kirkcaldy and Snowden

2013-06-12T09:12:57+01:00

Derry/Londonderry is the UK’s City of Culture this year, Lesley paid a visit and wrote about the change which the city is enjoying. The Kirkcaldy Galleries have hosted a series of events as they re-open after renovation; we talk about what happens when celebrity Fifers meet in the guise of Ian Rankin and Jack Vettriano. And finally, in this week’s @lesleyriddoch podcast, the US and UK have been snooping and Edward Snowden wants you to know all about it. The pod team remain divided.

Book Brunch at Kirkcaldy Galleries

2013-06-11T08:01:00+01:00

LR, Heather Stuart, Pete Sim, Chae Strathie

Sunday morning at the new Kirkcaldy Galleries and a discussion about books. On the panel were; Heather Stuart CEO of Fife Cultural Trust, Pete Sim Manager of Waterstones Kirkcaldy and Chae Strathie Sunday Post editor and children's author. @lesleyriddoch asked each for their one book for the mythical desert island and got some surprising choices. Chae opted for 'Complicity' by the late Iain Banks. Heather chose 'The Five People You Meet In Heaven' by Mitch Albom. Pete chose 'A Time of Gifts' by Patrick Leigh Fermor. Each was a passionate advocate for their book and did so without reference to the usual book festival cliches; "heroic catharsis unbounded by the writer's imagination..." "ethos driven ennui in a panoply of allegory" and so on. Really enjoyed the range of choices and the straightforward enthusiasm.

As you would expect from a discussion in front of an audience on a Sunday morning with coffee and croissants; there were questions and comments. How do we get boys to read? Is reading comparable to a religious experience - discuss. Actually, either would make a great topic for a follow on brunch. I would love to see what choices a panel could come up with to entice a teenage boy to read a real book; graphic novels being excluded.

My general sense was this is a good venue for this sort of event. The new complex is light and modern. The library experience is no longer 'ssssshhh'.

Ian and Jack and Lesley

2013-06-10T14:31:55+01:00

Photo:Walter Neilson

Went along with @lesleyriddoch to an event at the Adam Smith Global Foundation in Kirkcaldy to see Ian Rankin and Jack Vettriano being interviewed by @lesleyriddoch herself. In front of a packed audience, the Fife pair were steered towards stories, opinions and revelations. Ian Rankin revealed that he spent his vast fortune on clothes. Jack Vettriano recalled his father's advice on his early ambitions; "You're not ready to be a film star, get your apprenticeship first."

There were questions from the audience. My favourite was , "Can I take a photograph?"

As an event in a series which celebrated the re-opening of the re-vamped Kirkcaldy Galleries, it was funny, affectionate and entertaining. Fife, ken.

UKIP and the SNP, Culture, Poverty and Arctic Convoy Heroes

2013-05-10T20:05:27+01:00

UKIP’s recent election results stirred things up down in England. Lesley was keen to point out the differences between UKIP and the SNP after parallels had been drawn in her Scotsman column.

After an event “Who Runs Culture in Scotland?” in the Tron with a packed panel, including Alasdair Gray, the answer is a bit clearer.

The ‘Poverty in South Lanarkshire’ conference and some biological explanations from the Chief Medical Officer prompt some out loud thinking.

The long overdue recognition of the Arctic Convoy heroes is something we also touch upon respectfully in this week’s @lesleyriddoch podcast.

The future of 'Podcasting'

2013-05-07T23:09:36+01:00

Over the last few months, I have become the 'River man '. Between rowing with the Newburgh Rowing Club and the self build skiff, I have started to collect stories and other people's experiences about the Tay. In the next wee while, I will be developing a programme of oral histories with our local primary school. This will include collecting photos and voices. There are a couple elements which the youngsters want to try; QR Codes and geo-caching. Sounds like it could be fun. In the meanwhile, here's a local historian doing what he does best; explaining.

COSLA, Bedroom Tax, the Clash of Titans and Comrie Conversations

2013-03-13T12:11:36+00:00

Lesley chaired sessions at the 2013 COSLA Conference in St Andrews. She reports back from a conference where the architect of the ‘Bedroom Tax’, Lord Freud delivered a presentation. It was a tense session as Lesley recounts. Lesley later chaired a session where Nicola Sturgeon ‘debated’ with Alistair Darling. She also outlines some of the protocols which surrounded this ‘first’ clash of the ‘Leaders’ of ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. Shades of ‘Kennedy and Nixon’. However, Lesley does gives a broader perspective to a number of the ‘community’ related initiatives that Local Authorities are facing up to.

Finally, Lesley and Andy Wightman were invited to take part in a ‘Comrie Conversation’; a community which came together to talk about ‘independence’ at the grassroots. You’ll be surprised at the links in topics between COSLA and Comrie.

Finally, in response to questions, you can subscribe to the Lesley Riddoch podcast directly, at no cost, at iTunes via this link or search for the podcast under ‘Feisty Productions’ on the iTunes Store. ( We would like some ratings too – hint hint. )

You can also download the podcast here and the player below will deliver the audio to your device.

Thanks again for listening – if you don’t like it – tell us – if you do then tell your friends.

Williamston Primary, Radio and Cake

2013-02-28T20:09:12+00:00

Hand crafted chocolate.

Lesley and I were invited down to Williamston Primary to meet the Radio Williamston crew. That was the pupils, teachers and helpers. They'd set up and broadcast a radio programme to their entire school using their tannoy.

So, we felt right at home with the newshounds, the technical guys and gals, the features posse and the marketing maestros. So much talent in one place and the energy was great. The staff were so positive as well. We had a fabulous afternoon.

It was also Lesley's birthday and Gillian baked a cake. No, strike that. Gillian, the queen of cake baking, piping and icing produced some chocolate magic which you can see in the photo.It tasted as good as it looks.

I will be working with thisschool over the coming months...I feel sure.

More Borgen, Bedroom Tax and Resignations

2013-02-04T20:31:23+00:00

This week’s @lesleyriddoch podcast is the one where we mention Borgen for the last time, for a while or at least until series 3 starts. We all went along to see Sidse Babett Knudsen at the Filmhouse on Sunday after the Monday Scotsman column had been filed. It was a fascinating Q&A session. But what does it mean?

Equally, after an interesting TV discussion about ‘Bedroom Tax’; we ponder what the Scottish Government could do ; especially in the light of Mike Dailly’s petition. Just when you might think this is new ‘news’; Lesley recalls a ‘Comment Is Free’ piece ; “How will social housing survive Tory cuts?” from June 2010. The CIH Scotland document Chris refers to is "Preparing for the Bedroom Tax and Beyond" - technical but still readable. This issue will run and run...we may return to it.

Finally, notwithstanding twists, turns and texts, there’s been a resignation. Really. It’s all go this week.

Reykjavik Rap

2013-01-31T12:07:46+00:00

We travelled to Iceland, had a great time and recorded this wee piece.

Trident and then some other cheery topics

2013-01-29T18:39:29+00:00

This week's podcast tries to make sense of the latest signals about Trident and then takes a sideways look at Burns Suppers. It then touches briefly on the Byre Theatre and offers some thoughts on the Celtic Connections celebration of Michael Marra. We try to remain upbeat and facing forward with a confident half smile playing around our collective lips. And not just for this week.