Readers' letters

Find out what our readers think of the stories making the Gazette headlines.

THE WOW FACTOR

Dear Ed, – One doesn't often come on "the WOW! factor", particularly in the much misused field of public art.

But when I came into Lanark past the Racecourse this week and saw the new and dramatic sculpture 'The Spirit of Flight' it was certainly present.

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My initial reaction was confirmed when I saw the pictures in the Gazette.

Huge congratulations are due to the commissioning committee, the funders, and of course to the artist and helpers.

The dramatic nature of the piece, the almost fragile details of the earliest aircraft, the superb soaring effects; all combine to form an outstanding memorial, to what must have been an extraordinary display 100 years ago.

I am certain the statue will attract many to the Royal Burgh, and, like Gateshead's (albeit larger) 'Spirit of the North' it will become an icon of the town. Well done Lanark. – Yours etc,

ARTHUR J A BELL,

Chairman,

New Lanark Trust.

JESSIE KING APPEAL

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Dear Ed, – I read with interest the comments about preserving Lanark Grammar School.

Often architects can come up with imaginative uses for old buildings and one way the developers can get ideas is to work closely with

institutions like Glasgow University or Glasgow School of Art.

This could be a way forward.

Regarding the old Lanark Primary School, which used to be the science block of Lanark Grammar, there is another issue.

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This concerns a painting done by the famous artist Jessie King. This was done while the Primary School was in operation. The question is: what happened to this important art work?

Is there anybody out there who remembers what happened to it? If it is possible to salvage this work of art it could be an important attraction to draw visitors to Lanark.

Should anybody have information on the Jessie King story, Lanark Museum Trust would be very pleased to hear from you. – Yours etc.,

ED ARCHER,

Hope Street,

Lanark.

DON'T HIT LOCAL KIDS

Dear Ed, – For months I have read with despair articles relating to the educational future of the children who are faced with proposed school cuts by South Lanarkshire Council.

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The issue of the future of the small schools has been under continuous

'discussion' and highlighted in articles in the paper for many weeks.

I have read about the threatened closures of our small schools as a possible money saving exercise by the council.

This was followed by an initiative to amalgamate several small schools into one, followed by a back track by the council the following week stating that the small rural schools are now to survive the cuts.

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The front page of the Gazette, (October 28) was the icing on the cake.

Having failed to make financial savings by closing the small rural schools, SLC has now turned its focus on closing selected nurseries.

The proposal to make cost savings by closing Rigside and Rural Communities Nursery surely was a joke.

The nursery at Rigside has just celebrated the opening of a new building through the council's remodernization scheme. Under the exceptional headship of Marie O'Hare, she and her staff have also recently celebrated an outstanding HMI report.

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Not only does the nursery provide educational provision for 0-5 year olds in the Rigside area, but is also staffed as nurseries at Abington and Walston schools to provide pre-school education for the rural areas.

If the nursery is to be closed, what provision will be made to educate our pre-school children in rural South Lanarkshire, and to replace the vital link that it gives to the community in Rigside?

I commend the letter written recently by Alice Dobey, a past student of Libberton Primary and now in S3, relating to the importance of small schools.

The small schools are the centre of the community in the rural villages and make provision to involve all ages from the local area through various initiatives. As highlighted in the recently published Community Led Plan, a consultation for the small villages, there are no

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community facilities provided either by the council or other agencies outside of the schools and nurseries, which play a vital role in the wellbeing of the children and members of the community.

I do appreciate that South Lanarkshire Council has to consider making cuts in all budgets, but cutting the educational provision for our children is not the answer.

Those that are making the decisions might also consider that it is the children of today that will help to pay their pensions in the future. –Yours etc,

LIZ STEELE,

Drakelaw,

Crawfordjohn.

FITTING BLIND APPEAL

Dear Ed, – Can you please print this letter as I am trying to find the lady who bought the six foot beaded blind from me at the car boot sale in Lanark on Sunday, November 7, please contact me on 07963 043668 or at [email protected]

I found one of the fittings for it when clearing my stall at the end of the day. I will gladly post it to you if you contact me. Thanks. – Yours etc.,

CHRISTINE MILLIGAN,

Thorndene Avenue,

Carfin.