Readers’ letters

Condemn adults

Dear Ed, – The reason that STAR is struggling to achieve its goals is two fold; members have huge disdain for those that do, made evident by the attitude when attempting to join any of their meetings, and they refuse to see the sense in stopping the dregs inflicting more trouble.

With the lack of support to normal residents, most consider such meetings unsafe to attend. I am a single mum, not from the area, but I believe Smyllum suffers the same level of disdain for human rights as areas of Aberdeen.

There are parties in Smyllum Road every sunny day, and most weekends, from 10am until 3 or 4am the next morning which are never stopped because they drink and scream around the back of the block, where the passing police cars do not see them.

Everyone rants about the children and teenagers, but on the whole they are normal children, a product of the stupidity and upbringing in this society. The main culprits are 30 to 50 men and women who drink all day, blast out music and shout about drugs and methadone treatments. It is disgusting that nothing is done to stop these adults.

Dogs which have attacked four other good-natured dogs run rife in the hands of alcoholic people claiming disability. Add to this the fact that no more than a handful of people actually clean up after their dogs and those who do are ridiculed. Why are dog licenses such a sticking point for the local council?

When this is what teenagers have to live with due to the faults of their parents and so-called responsible adults, who are we to condemn them?! – Yours etc.,

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.

Why surprised?

Dear Ed, – The various recent changes and threats to Clydesdale bus services which have taken people by surprise make me wonder why communication between SPT, who manage the bus contracts, and the public about forthcoming changes is not better.

At the meeting which the Stand Up for Our Buses campaign hosted in relation to the Dumfries to Edinburgh service, SPT seemed reluctant to engage directly with local people about changes to the service, but said that it would communicate with our elected members.

Unfortunately this communication does not seem to be very effective and our elected members seem to keep finding themselves “on the back foot” having to deal with the aftermath of changes which SPT has already signed up to.

SPT is a regional authority, with councillors from all of the councils it serves making up its governing community. Unfortunately, no Clydesdale councillors are on this committee and it would seem that South Lanarkshire councillors who are on it are either not being informed about changes to services in Clydesdale or not passing this information on to their Clydesdale colleagues soon enough for them to act on it.

If SPT is not communicating effectively with the communities it serves, then it is time for Scottish Government and the constituent councils to press for changes in its governance to ensure it engages more fully with the public in future.

While timetable changes and fare rises may be inevitable, good communication and consultation minimises the impact of changes and allows people to plan for them. It is not acceptable for people to be faced with these types of changes to services which they rely on with no warning or consultation. – Yours etc.,

DR JANET MOXLEY,

Stand Up For Our Buses campaign,

Biggar.

Phone penalties

Dear Ed, – As a horse rider, I hack a lot along our country roads and am often shocked by how people totally ignore the speed limit and will drive along while speaking on their hand- held mobile!

I feel the only way to combat this is for the police to take more action. They will say they are under-staffed. But until people get fined and incur penalty points for bad driving they will not change. – Yours etc.,

BELINDA MORISON,

Broompark Drive,

Lesmahagow.

Sensory appeal

Dear Ed, – Dobbies Garden World Clyde Valley is looking to create sensory gardens as part of its Here We Grow campaign, which gives support, equipment and assistance to the community in Clyde Valley.

As part of its commitment to the local area, the retailer is offering up free plants, garden accessories and pebbles or barks and will help create a sensory garden for local community groups and charity organisations.

A sensory garden, for example, may contain features such as scented and edible plants, a variety of textured plants and paving and water features designed to make sound.

There are soothing benefits for people who are going through health problems or have learning difficulties, but are as equally as enjoyable for anyone who wants to learn about how different types of plants affect your senses.

A sensory garden is a great place to excite and satisfy the senses through the use of specially-selected plants and equipment.

Bees and butterflies are also attracted to sensory gardens – these are important to our environment and help our gardens grow. By planting the right type of plants and trees we provide a feast for honey bees and other insects, habitats for wildlife and the pollination provides food for us.

Dobbies is looking to create a sensory garden that will allow people to use their senses, with different scents, colour, textures and sounds to explore.

If you would like to put your group forward for a sensory garden contact your Dobbies community champion at [email protected]. For more information, visit www.dobbies.com – Yours etc.,

CAROL INGLIS,

Community Champion,

Dobbies Garden World Clyde Valley.