TOM WOOD, is special advisor to the Capital City Partnership and former Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.
1 What are your earliest memories of Edinburgh? I remember when I was about three being taken to see the Edinburgh Police Pipe Band marching in Princes Street. My dad was a policeman and the band were world champions, so it was a gre
at occasion.
2 What are your memories of school? I went to Stockbridge Primary School. It was a good school then, as it is now, and I remember my first teacher Miss Craig very well. She made sure we all got a good start. I could not have had a better early education.
3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? I was born in Stockbridge and I was a young beat bobby there as well so I have a very strong connection to that whole area, particularly Inverleith Park where my dad had an allotment.
4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? The mix of old and new, and the fact that it's a big city with access to wonderful countryside in 20 minutes.
5 What would you change about the city? I would have an independent examination of our roads and a close look at all the closures and restrictions in the last ten years.
6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. Edinburgh has beautiful evenings with lovely skies, especially to the west. I like walking in the cool of the early evening, admiring the skies and the skyline.
7 Which sports interest you? I have always been a water person, so I like sailing and swimming. I also tend to avoid big crowds of people – I had enough of that when I was a policeman!
8 What was your most embarrassing moment? There are so many. As a boy I was run over by a van after I disobeyed the school crossing patrol; as a young policemen directing traffic in Princes Street, I was given a melon by a passing fruit lorry, put it on the ground then tripped over it and fell flat on my back in front of thousands; and I have fallen off my motorbike in some of the busiest most public locations in the city.
9 What is your greatest achievement? It can only be helping to bring up two healthy, happy children to adulthood.
10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Beautiful ancient city.
The full article contains 413 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
