Readers' letters

MESSAGE OF THANKS

Dear Ed, – On behalf of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, we wish to

express our heartfelt gratitude to all who made the visit of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to our country such a happy and memorable day.

Months of preparation and hard work involved countless agencies and

thousands of individuals.

To each and every one of you our sincere thanks are due for the contribution you made to the resounding success of the day.

We wish also to put on record our deep appreciation of the support of the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and Glasgow City Council for their warm support and co-operation in the planning and delivery of a "day of days" which allowed 200,000 people to see the Holy Father in person.

Special thanks are also due to the police, fire and ambulance services, the NHS, travel companies, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Scotrail and Stagecoach, who co-ordinated the travel plan, as well as DF Concerts our event managers in Bellahouston Park.

We wish to acknowledge too, the very positive coverage given to the Holy Father's time in Scotland by the broadcast and print media.

To all the priests, deacons, religious and lay people who helped plan and support the visit, to parish pilgrim leaders who worked so hard to bring pilgrims from every corner of our land to Edinburgh and Glasgow and guide them safely home; to the teachers who planned lessons and accompanied pupils on the big day; to those who took part in the pre and post-event schedule in Glasgow or the St Ninian's Day Parade in Edinburgh; to those who volunteered to work on the day of the visit as helpers and stewards and to all those who followed the events either in person or via radio, television or the internet, we wish to express our thanks and appreciation.

In a special way we also wish to thank the members of other churches and faith communities who joined us in welcoming the Holy Father to Scotland.

The planning, preparation and forethought which went into each step on this Apostolic journey were quite immense and it is thanks to the contributions of so many that the day was such a resounding success.

The success of the visit is a success of which all Scotland can be proud.

We showed a spectacularly welcoming face to the Pope and the world and reminded all those watching that the Catholic faith in Scotland lives and flourishes.

To all of the people of our beloved Scotland, who made the successor of Peter an honorary Scot for the day, we say, "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts." – Yours etc,.

KEITH PATRICK

CARDINAL O'BRIEN,

MARIO JOSEPH CONTI,

Archbishop of Glasgow.

A PERIOD DECISION

Dear Ed, - Some of your readers may by now be aware that South Lanarkshire Council will be implementing a 33 period week within all senior schools with effect from August 2011.

Pupils, teachers and the Parent Councils have been approached for their views as how best this should be implemented. But you will find no information on South Lanarkshire's Council web site to assist you.

There is a potential for each day of the new school week to no longer be equal, for example three days with seven periods and two days with six periods.

An alternative option to accommodate the 33 period week is to have four equally long days with seven periods with a start time of 8.30am, finishing at 3.25pm and one day containing five periods with the school day finishing at 1.25pm. This will have an impact on all parents with children of a senior school age.

Concern has already been expressed about earlier pick up times for those pupils who have long journeys to school. The demise of registration at the start of the day is also a concern.

All parents should have the opportunity to express their views as to how best these changes should be implemented and parents should contact their school or their Parent Council. - Yours etc.,

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED.

HELP GLENN FAMILY

Dear Ed, – I am the daughter of Robert Glenn and Margaret Glenn nee Edment who both died at a young age.

My father Robert was born in 1935 to Alfred and Mary Glenn and had five brothers. I am trying to find out who my grandparents were; they left Carluke about 1963.

I hope you can help me to trace the family. If anyone can help me, they can contact me by email at [email protected]. – Your etc.,

LYNN PIERCY,

via email.

DRIVEN ROUND BEND

Dear Ed, – Regarding an article in a recent Carluke Gazette front page article, Safety Measures a Danger.

What is the problem with these drivers who hit the newly built islands? They are just under eleven feet wide with plenty of room for any vehicle to get by.

They are not on a corner, as said in the paper. They are pretty clear to see; lorry, buses and all sorts are up and down this road all day.

It appears the complaints are from a group with bad eyesight or is it just from bad drivers? – Yours etc.,

GORDON GIBSON,

Caneluk Avenue,

Carluke.