Franca
@applefranca.bsky.social
Live in Edinburgh, like dressmaking, knitting, active travel, Eurovision and coffee. Scottish Government researcher working on children and families. 🏴 🇩🇪 🇱🇺
I still write an occasional personal blog like it's 2005: www.applefranca.com
I still write an occasional personal blog like it's 2005: www.applefranca.com
Proud stage mum interlude: my youngest is in a fischy music (action songs for primary schools) music video. It's embargoed til 11.30, but here's some stills and a photo from the launch last night
November 28, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Proud stage mum interlude: my youngest is in a fischy music (action songs for primary schools) music video. It's embargoed til 11.30, but here's some stills and a photo from the launch last night
Stealing jewellery from fleeing people and banning books. Extremely normal democracy behaviour
(Yes, I know, not literally banning. But the result is the same)
(Yes, I know, not literally banning. But the result is the same)
Sally Rooney says she will be unable to publish books in UK while Palestine Action banned
Sally Rooney says she will be unable to publish books in UK while Palestine Action banned
Author tells high court her public support for group means her books could disappear from UK stores altogether
The Irish author Sally Rooney has told the high court she is highly unlikely to be able to publish new work in the UK while the ban on Palestine Action remains in effect because of her public support for the group.
On the second day of the legal challenge to Palestine Action’s proscription, the effect on Rooney, who said her books could disappear from UK stores altogether, was held up as an example of its impact on freedom of expression. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Stealing jewellery from fleeing people and banning books. Extremely normal democracy behaviour
(Yes, I know, not literally banning. But the result is the same)
(Yes, I know, not literally banning. But the result is the same)
Reposted by Franca
I spent most of Tuesday following the "Singing Street" around to take photos of the filming locations. It was very hard not to be struck by streets that were once playgrounds now being car parks. In other places there is still a bustle of life, but it is now tourists playing, not skipping girls
November 27, 2025 at 9:27 AM
I spent most of Tuesday following the "Singing Street" around to take photos of the filming locations. It was very hard not to be struck by streets that were once playgrounds now being car parks. In other places there is still a bustle of life, but it is now tourists playing, not skipping girls
It still baffles me that this is something we need to discuss and go holy moly about when it's so normal elsewhere, but good news I guess
My policy platform is zebra crossings everywhere
My policy platform is zebra crossings everywhere
Holy moly - Welsh Government have approved side-road zebras! www.gov.wales/written-stat...
Written Statement: Side Road Zebra Crossings in Wales | GOV.WALES
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales
www.gov.wales
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
It still baffles me that this is something we need to discuss and go holy moly about when it's so normal elsewhere, but good news I guess
My policy platform is zebra crossings everywhere
My policy platform is zebra crossings everywhere
Does this mean you have to pay customs on any order from the EU now? Is that what that means?
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Does this mean you have to pay customs on any order from the EU now? Is that what that means?
Reposted by Franca
Depending on the exact change cutting cycle to work and making no change to car schemes, going all in on Heathrow expansion really shows what the gov thinks of the green agenda.
November 25, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Depending on the exact change cutting cycle to work and making no change to car schemes, going all in on Heathrow expansion really shows what the gov thinks of the green agenda.
This doesn't feel anywhere near enough, and just highlights how ridiculous it was before
EBU Announces New Rules for the #Eurovision Song Contest 2026 eurovoix.com/2025/11/21/e...
EBU Announces New Rules for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 - Eurovoix
The European Broadcasting Union has outlined new rules regarding voting at the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be implemented for the next contest in 2026.
eurovoix.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
This doesn't feel anywhere near enough, and just highlights how ridiculous it was before
Reskeeting this because all the Scotland jubilation has been eaten up by scary shit from America and that's not right
November 19, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reskeeting this because all the Scotland jubilation has been eaten up by scary shit from America and that's not right
Reposted by Franca
POINTS BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, YOUR BOYS TOOK A HELL OF A BEATING
November 18, 2025 at 9:48 PM
POINTS BASED IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, YOUR BOYS TOOK A HELL OF A BEATING
Reposted by Franca
🏴🏴🏴🏴
November 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
🏴🏴🏴🏴
Ok, I am doomscrolling v so going to step away from the phone. And remind myself of good things like a car free street (how nice does it look!) and my excellent new puffy coat
November 17, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Ok, I am doomscrolling v so going to step away from the phone. And remind myself of good things like a car free street (how nice does it look!) and my excellent new puffy coat
Also, it's 4.16 and it's basically dark
November 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Also, it's 4.16 and it's basically dark
Im genuinely upset about this asylum stuff, the more I read about it the madder it gets
November 17, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Im genuinely upset about this asylum stuff, the more I read about it the madder it gets
Absolutely. I am the most privileged of immigrants, and I take this stuff *extremely* personally.
My granddad was a refugee, my wife, our close friends and those of our kids are either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
Do ministers ever think about the message their rhetoric on "handouts" and "golden tickets" for migrants sends about whether this is a government for people like us?
November 17, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Absolutely. I am the most privileged of immigrants, and I take this stuff *extremely* personally.
Reposted by Franca
This feels like an ad written, directed *and* acted by people who have
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
November 16, 2025 at 7:34 AM
This feels like an ad written, directed *and* acted by people who have
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
1. Never played a game
2. Never watched anyone play a game
3. Never seen anyone interact with Alexa
4. Never seen anyone interact full stop
5. Never been alone in a room?
Reposted by Franca
But she's more than happy to subsidise people who can afford to buy £40k electric cars but more than the cost of a decent bike. And through salary sacrifice schemes too.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Rachel Reeves to cut tax benefits for workers using salary sacrifice schemes to buy bikes
Chancellor expected to introduce new limit on how much can be spent on a bicycle through cycle to work scheme
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:30 AM
But she's more than happy to subsidise people who can afford to buy £40k electric cars but more than the cost of a decent bike. And through salary sacrifice schemes too.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
I can't read the full thing, but if this delivers what the headline promises, amazing news! I hate that evil circle!
Meta’s messaging app offers free access to the AI chatbot, but only until January 2026.
How to Talk to ChatGPT for Free Inside WhatsApp (While You Still Can)
Meta’s messaging app offers free access to the AI chatbot, but only until January 2026.
wrd.cm
November 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I can't read the full thing, but if this delivers what the headline promises, amazing news! I hate that evil circle!
Reposted by Franca
To all the doubters, AI is so close to being perfect
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
November 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
To all the doubters, AI is so close to being perfect
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
Look my iphone helpfully transcribed a voice message left by my French mechanic
No skin in this game, but who would possibly sau Argyle House is Edinburgh's ugliest building? Even if you're big into brutalism, there is no end of much, much uglier buildings
🌤️ Good morning Edinburgh. Wednesday’s headlines: Argyle House demolition plan, 'serious concerns' over tram plan, Gorgie residents dispute £19m bill + the history of North Edinburgh resistance and community activism
⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local news: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
⏰ Edinburgh’s ad-free local news: www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburg...
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
No skin in this game, but who would possibly sau Argyle House is Edinburgh's ugliest building? Even if you're big into brutalism, there is no end of much, much uglier buildings
Regardless of whether you think this is a good idea, why do you need AI for this? Government does this sort of statistics all the time.
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
November 12, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Regardless of whether you think this is a good idea, why do you need AI for this? Government does this sort of statistics all the time.
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
Are they saying they will take a transparent and reproducible calculation and turn it into a black box?
Reposted by Franca
Any Edinburgh cycling people know how you're supposed to turn right from the new Great Junction Street cycle path onto Leith Walk? I've done this a few times now and I can't figure it out
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
November 11, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Any Edinburgh cycling people know how you're supposed to turn right from the new Great Junction Street cycle path onto Leith Walk? I've done this a few times now and I can't figure it out
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
Otherwise Leith Connections cycle path working well though! Delighted to be avoiding the cobbles!
Reposted by Franca
Why are Edinburgh council commissioning yet another report, instead of cracking on & actually implementing the bus-gates?
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
I’ve been consistent in my opposition to allowing PHVs into bus lanes. I do however think it is worth exploring allowing PHVs and Black Cabs access through certain bus gates if the data and evidence proves it can aid city mobility.
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinbur...
Plans for Edinburgh private hire cars to be allowed to use bus lanes
Council officers are recommending that councillors delay making any decision on a policy change until after several projects and traffic studies are completed
www.edinburghlive.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Why are Edinburgh council commissioning yet another report, instead of cracking on & actually implementing the bus-gates?
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
With low barriers to entry, & PHV vehicles used for multiple purposes, it’s clear that abuse of the bus gates will be rife, & traffic reduction severely compromised
Reposted by Franca
Amazing how often we say 'too many visitors' when what we mainly mean is 'too many cars'
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
Can Highland Perthshire cope with 'unprecedented' tourist demand?
Local businesses rely on visitors coming to Dunkeld, but some residents worry the town can no longer cope.
news.stv.tv
November 10, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Amazing how often we say 'too many visitors' when what we mainly mean is 'too many cars'
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...
news.stv.tv/north/dunkel...