Readers' letters

SCHOOLS SAVED

Dear Ed, – I'm delighted to have been informed that South Lanarkshire Council has made the right decision and has decided not to close our small schools.

I am a third year Biggar High pupil. My two younger brothers attend

Libberton Primary and are in P7. You may think because my brothers are so near to leaving and I haven't been classed as a Libberton Primary School pupil in three years that this news would be unimportant to me. I think not.

When my brothers brought home the letter informing us of the merging of the smaller schools I can honestly say it was one of the biggest shocks I've had in my life.

Libberton Primary is a brilliant school. I have amazing childhood memories from that school from laughs with teachers, who I still feel I know better than any other teachers, to times with friends who still remain some of my closest friends.

South Lanarkshire Council spoke of "educational benefits". What benefits I ask? In larger schools there is more chance of bullying and cliques, pupils with learning difficulties are less likely to get the help and attention they need and deserve and pupils who are maybe different can be left out.

In a small school, I can tell you from experience, everyone feels wanted, no-one is left out, we are not a school but a close-knit community, almost a family.

In Libberton you are allowed to shine and spread your wings, you are encouraged to join in and make new hobbies and interests, everyone has a friend.

I am not suggesting that in bigger schools this is not possible but that it is more guaranteed in smaller schools such as Libberton. So thank you for not closing our small schools.

One of the most common arguments against small schools is that when pupils move to high school they find it difficult to settle because of the much larger number of pupils. I can tell you this is not even approaching the truth.

In a small school everyone is friends because, simply, there is no-one else. This is not a bad thing because if there is no-one else you learn to get on with people you normally wouldn't like, which is a valuable skill in high school.

You also learn to overlook a person's more irritating characteristics and see things you really like about them.

Children from smaller schools are less likely to get into trouble at high school; children are also more likely to get higher academic results.

I'm grateful for this proposal being changed. I want other children to have my amazing primary experience at Libberton. Thank you to the council for ensuring this is now possible. – Yours etc.,

ALICE DOBIE,

Quothquan.

COAL YARD BLUES

Dear Ed, – Locally, the impact of Glentaggart, Poniel, Broken Cross, Broken Cross South, Broken Cross North, Mainshill Woods are all very evident, as is the "restored" Dalquhandy OCCS sites.

My personal recollection of one aim of the Public Local Enquiry relating to the Broken Cross North Extension was to ensure that it was completely restored by 2012, thus limiting the impact on any single local community to 10 years max.

Despite the previous fables that it would end at that, the 2010 unadopted SLC Minerals plan illustrates a potentially radically much more invasive picture than the 2002 edition.

In October 2010, the consultation process emerged on OCCS proposals for a satellite at Glentaggart, Broken Cross North (East) and Auldton Heights.

The cumulative current details amount to 5.4 million additional tonnes and local impact extending from 2002 to at least 2028!

That excludes potentially more OCCS at Happendon Woods and whatever inevitable further nibbles emerge.

Whilst the internet is crammed with related techie information, talk shops and lavish studies, people living close to OCCS coal tend to experience significant noise, dust, pollution, flooding potential and appear to be somewhat dubious in respect of the effectiveness of any available monitoring, enforcement or support.

There also appears to be much concern in respect of possible long term health, loss of natural carbon capture, quality of life, property values and impacts, ultimate restoration, buffer zones, landscape, economical and communal benefit and future plans.

Whilst it's refreshing to some to note that planners appear to have rejected the huge OCCS airfield plan at Dalkeith, I cannot recall SLC ever rejecting any OCCS proposal.

This possibly explains the apparent significant feelings of inevitability, perhaps based on experience of previous consultation, approval and support processes. Perhaps we shouldn't forget, it's not our planet? – Yours etc.,

JAMES HAMILTON,

Devonburn Road,

Lesmahagow.

ED WAS DISTRESSED!

A DAMSEL in distress would like to thank the staff at the Verve dealership in Carluke for their kindness and assistance last Wednesday.

Said damsel was well in gear to get home but her tyre had other ideas – blowing out at the Wishaw roundabout.

Limping into a lay-by, damsel called for back-up but, sadly, men in office were as clueless as she was!

A kindly householder said he would have helped but he had to pick up his son. (Thanks too!)

Damsel being the impatient type, she slowly wheeled said car into the Verve dealership where a kindly mechanic took pity on her and changed the offending tyre - free of charge.

Such was the kindness and care shown, damsel decided the fairest thing to do was thank the garage in print for its service and help. This damsel certainly appreciated your help. – Yours etc.,

JULIE CURRIE,

Editor,

Carluke and Lanark Gazette.