Readers' letters

SERVICE THANKS

Dear Ed, – On Remembrance Sunday the people of Lanark once again supported the Community Council and the Combined Churches in observing our annual Remembrance Service.

In very large numbers local people and organisations turned out in

inclement weather to do so and it was particularly heart-warming, and a source of immense pride, to see so many of the youth organisations of Lanark involved.

On behalf of the Community Council I had hoped to have the opportunity to express our thanks to a few of the groups who contribute so much annually to this event but, in order to avoid hypothermia setting in among those present, the opportunity to do so slipped past.

I now hope that, using the good offices of the Gazette's letter page, I might be able to do so. As with all community events in Lanark of course, to attempt to thank everyone involved in the event or in the organisation thereof would take more space than the Gazette has to offer or readers time to digest.

There are two groups however, without whose efforts we would struggle to ensure that our Remembrance Service adequately reflects the gratitude and pride we have in those whose sacrifice we were gathered to remember.

Our grateful thanks are due to Reverend Alison Meikle and the Combined Churches of Lanark. We were forced to adapt the format of our Remembrance Service with the temporary closure of the Memorial Hall and few can now doubt that, thanks to the wholehearted support and co-operation of our local clergy, our Remembrance Service has improved

immeasurably as a result.

Our thanks also go to Tom Ashburn and his team. I say team but in truth I think there is just Tom who is responsible, not only for arranging the timely arrival of all of our wreaths and the local shop window displays, but also for the entire Poppy Scotland Collection throughout what is now half of Lanarkshire.

This collection invariably results each year in the breaking of all previous collection records.

Finally, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to Ian Veitch and the Guildry of Lanark, for having the foresight and compassion to purchase a wreath and lay it in memory of the late Mrs Garden who, for more years than most of us can remember, laid a wreath here in the Memorial Hall on behalf of the French Resistance forces with whom she served as a teenager. – Yours etc.,

FRANK GUNNING,

Chairman,

Lanark Community Council.

SQUARE'S NOT SAFE?

Dear Ed, – I am very aware of how much Health and Safety issues are to the fore at present.

Could someone then please explain as to how the 'improvements' to Carluke Market Square escaped these issues.

So far as the so called 'sensory garden' made up in the corner is concerned there is no way would I let anyone with poor eyesight, unsteady on their feet etc - visit such a place or even sit and relax in it considering the back door of the local pub opens to face the garden.

Having passed this spot on a number of occasions the language can leave a lot to be desired! And just what are the two stripped tree trunks meant to represent?

The main issues I have with the Market area however are the decorative walls built at the same time of the 'sensory garden'.

The walls themselves are okay but considering the Market is an area used by children why then were the coping stones placed at such an angle as to be a real danger?

Presumably this was done in an attempt to stop children walking on the walls. Anyone, not necessarily a child, tripping and landing at the very least will be left with a sore face and at worst be killed on the sharp coping points.

If council budget cuts mean no more improvements (or so-called decorative features) to places like the Market, that can only be a good thing! – Yours etc,.

JANET KINCAID,

Miller Street,

Carluke.

ROAD TRIP CONCERN

Dear Ed, – I too am concerned about the changes of times at our local secondary schools and have put in my objections via my own school parent council regarding the early start.

The school was given the assurance by SLC that the roads department knew what time school buses travelled at and roads were gritted before this.

I have travelled to my work this morning, along roads my own children travel, and roads that other school buses travel. Only the main A73 to Biggar road was gritted, the other roads were not and in places were extremely dangerous.

South Lanarkshire needs to think about the safety of our children as a priority, not the money. – Yours etc.,

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.

IGNORANT DECISION?

Dear Ed, – I note that once again Lanarkshire Health Board has ignored the wishes of patients and professionals to allow an unwanted pharmacy to open in Carstairs Village.

It is shameful that an SNP Government is allowing the destablising/

destruction of dispensing rural practices all over Scotland.

There is nothing a pharmacist can do that a dispensing GP cannot except tell a patient to see their doctor. - Yours etc.,

F E MCKNIGHT,

Retired Dispensing GP

Lanark Road,

Ravenstruther.