The view from the First Base food bank in a deep and dark December. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-vi…

The joy of people power in the midst of a sea of troubles marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-jo…

FIRST BASE HAS RECEIVED A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM THE VICEROY! BUT WILL ALISTER BE THE LAST VICEROY? marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2021/12/first-…

'Save Big Dog?' Please, please do. He is the YES campaign's greatest asset. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/01/save-b…

'Save Big Dog?' Oh please, please do. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/01/save-b…

In these dire times, do you ever look back at IndyRef 2014 and think, if only.... I certainly do! marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/02/in-the…

And so it starts. The catastrophe of 2022 arrives at our foodbank. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/03/and-so…

First Base is always chuffed to receive support from The National - Thanks guys! thenational.scot/news/19990212.…

In these darker than dark times, why not take five minutes for a shaft of sunshine. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/04/shafts…

These amazing ladies climbed Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell Pike last weekend to help raise funds for First Base. Their JustGiving page still has a couple of days to go if you fancy donating. Many, many thanks! justgiving.com/crowdfunding/t…

My open letter to the Scottish Government on the brutal challenges faced by the nation's Foodbanks. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/08/my-ope…

A Winter's Tale. The story of the evolution of the 2022/23 First Base winter food parcel. 3 days. 9 meals. 5200 calories. £2. Ouch! marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-wint…

A bleak future emerges as winter slowly tightens its grip - My foodbank week marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2022/11/a-blea…

WHY OH WHY ARE WE SO BLOODY USELESS AT HIGHLIGHTING ALL THE AREAS WHERE SCOTLAND IS DOING SO MUCH BETTER THAN ENGLAND? marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/01/why-oh…

What does a foodbank do when it gets flooded out and demand spikes? We get by with a little help from our friends! marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/01/what-d…

When I left Anfield on Sunday I saw something I have never seen in 50 years of watching Liverpool. It prompted me to write to the Chief Constable of Merseyside Police. Here is the letter. Please share if you agree with my sentiments. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/04/when-i…

Today is a good day to be Scottish. Today is a good day to be Scouse. Today is a good day to give a two fingered salute to the British Establishment. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/05/today-…

Our foodbank Mona Lisa - a surreal moment in the emergency food game. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/05/our-fo…

An encounter with Chatgpt. I should be in awe. Instead there is only a deep sadness. marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/06/an-enc…

Are you a scunnered YES supporter? Maybe this might cheer you up. My pulp fiction writer's tale of how YES hits 73% in two years. Enjoy! marksimonfrankland.blogspot.com/2023/10/heres-…