Letters to the Editor – August 21, 2013

Roundabouts

SINCE Mrs Geekie is asking shop owners to brighten up their window displays, why then does she not take the first steps to improve the dreadful roundabouts on Initiative Road, from Townhead up to the Muirhead exit?

These shabby, uninviting circles of neglect supposedly welcome hoped-for visitors who must wonder what awaits them when they do finally reach the town.

So instead of asking shopkeepers to be creative, the council should equally show initiative in actively seeking creative partnerships to improve the aspect of the routes into Kirkintilloch.

North Lanarkshire has managed to do it. Such an “initiative” in ED. is long overdue!

S.Klimowicz

Muirside Avenue

Kirkintilloch

Sporting event

A BRAND new sporting event called Tri Together, which has been uniquely designed for people with disabilities and non-disabled people to take part side by side, is arriving in Glasgow this autumn.

Organised by the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability and Triathlonscotland, this award-winning short distance triathlon event is for people of all ages (eight and above) and abilities to swim, bike and run together.

I am really looking forward to supporting this brand new event on September 22 and would urge people to sign up and join me on the starting line. You can take part on your own or share the challenge with friends and family in a relay team.

I started competing in triathlon events five years ago, after I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and had begun to use a wheelchair. I really didn’t want to give up sport and I found triathlons were great fun and felt really inclusive too.

As well as having fun and challenging yourself, you will be raising money to help Leonard Cheshire Disability to continue supporting thousands of people with disabilities at its services in Scotland.

For more information visit www.lcdisability.org/tritogether.

Jane Egan,

2012 British & European

Paratriathlon Champion

Three peaks

WE are urging people to get their walking boots on and sign up for a Three Peaks Challenge ­to help fight meningitis on all fronts.

Whether you join as an individual or a group from a club or workplace you’re promised an unforgettable experience in the Meningitis Trust/Meningitis UK’s Three Peaks Challenge Team.

The challenge, tackling the three peaks of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis in just 36 hours, takes place between Friday 20 September and Sunday 22 September.

And the best part of it is that we take care of all the transport and accommodation throughout the challenge, as well as supplying a fully qualified safety team who will guide you on each mountain, so you’re free to concentrate on enjoying the activity. On top of that our friendly events team is on hand with fundraising support and advice as well as training and dietary information.

Not only will you enjoy the experience of a lifetime but every person who signs up will be making a difference to the lives of families affected by meningitis.

The merged charity needs to raise over £10,000 every day to fund its lifesaving and life-changing services.

Tragically, meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia continue to affect thousands of people in the UK every year and kill more children under 5 than any other infectious disease.

We are fighting back on all fronts by funding research to eradicate the disease alongside supporting survivors with lifelong help and care.

To take part in the sponsored challenge, either as an individual or as a team with friends, family or colleagues, or for more information, contact me on 01453 769025 or email [email protected]. Registration is also open on our webpage at www.meningitis-trust.org

Becki Niewiadomski

Meningitis UK/Meningitis Trust

Concern for town

AN intimation in the Kirkintilloch Herald recently prompted me to visit an exhibition in William Patrick Library, a presentation looking towards the regeneration of Kirkintilloch.

Members of staff from, I think, the planning department were on hand to answer questions of the overall scheme and timescales.

On the face of it, it looked like being a viable and acceptable proposition given appropriate funding It’s a long overdue need for regeneration !I did point out to them that the next day there would be a presentation in the sports centre re a joint development with East Dunbarton Council and James Sim (builders) incorporating Tom Johnston House and Sim’s adjacent lands.

I did visit this exhibit and presentation to find a very major and extensive project incorporating the demolition of TJ House, thereafter erecting commercial properties to house a supermarket, restaurant, filling station, children’s nursery etc. etc This had been advertised rather discreetly in a corner of a page in the Kirkintilloch Herald.

The regeneration people knew nothing of this presentation nor the major impact it could have on Kirkintilloch as we know it presently, with charity and empty shops.

Any development of the magnitude proposed will certainly be a death sentence and kill off our town. I for one will raise strong objection at any planning stage to this proposal

Since Tom Johnston House belongs to the stakeholders of East Dunbartonshire it would be perhaps prudent and transparent to seek on the open market bids for the property before entering into any joint ventures with those purely having commercial interests’.

T Herbert

Lenzie.

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