Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Your views
Dear Editor,
I find it reassuring to know that, despite the ongoing political turmoil enveloping the UK, Jeremy Corbyn can find the time in his hectic schedule to visit Monklands and lend his support to a campaign not for, but against, the creation of hundreds of new jobs. You couldn’t make it up.
As chair of North Calder community council, I refute the notion that the proposed Europark site is currently a much-loved area of local heritage cherished by all. It is not.
As I’ve stated before, many avoid it altogether due to its reputation for antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping.
However, those offering us this opportunity have painted a very different picture – 1000 social houses which we’re absolutely crying out for, jobs, leisure, new shops, and a country park at the centre of it all.
Deprivation is the norm across large parts of the area. We should be biting the hands off the developers offering to give us this massive shot in the arm.
Waiting lists for housing are appalling – hundreds continue to not be able to get a roof over their heads.
Then we have a developer coming in and offering us something that goes a long way to solving the problem, but we don’t want to know because a few eco warriors - and now Jeremy Corbyn - don’t like it? It beggars belief.
I am just one of many local voices supportive of EuroPark – there are plenty more like me who feel the facts of the project have been drowned out by all the campaigners’ noise.
Mr Corbyn should focus on the ongoing Brexit fiasco and upcoming General Election and leave us to worry about bringing some much-needed investment to Monklands. Mrs Sharon Craig, Nort Calder Community Council
GERS figures Dear Editor,
The GERS report this year is good news for the Scottish economy, showing it improved by £1.2 billion this year.
It does not pretend to measure the fiscal position in an independent Scotland; it has several estimated figures and is affected by bad spending decisions by the Conservative government in London (Trident, for example).
However, if we accept the inaccurate aspects of the report and Scotland repeats this performance, the GERS report will show a surplus in 10 years.
In an independent Scotland, however, we can invest to grow the economy quicker and stop spending money on London’s vanity projects from which we gain no benefit.
An arc of prosperity surrounds us on all sides, from Ireland to Holland through Iceland, Norway and Denmark.
These are among the most economically and socially successful countries in the world. We must join them. Francis Buchan, via email
Macmillan coffee event Dear Editor,
Macmillan Cancer Support’s “world’s biggest coffee morning” event is fast approaching, and I would love Advertiser readers to get involved. cancer. funded, generous It raises Macmillan so number help, millions without they of is for the people simply not the public’s government evergrowing affected can’t by provide Around the 200,000 services people needed. every year host coffee mornings in their workplaces, schools and homes – to come together as a community in support of people living with cancer and raise money for the charity. Macmillan is here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, providing physical, financial and emotional support through its free support line and its 7700 healthcare professionals. Demand for Macmillan’s services is constantly growing and it needs your help to support the growing number of people living with cancer. Macmillan’s coffee morning takes place on September 27, but people can host whenever they want and will be making a difference however they get involved.
Whoever you invite and whatever you serve, you can host your coffee morning your way – if you can’t bake, that doesn’t have to stop you!
Do something amazing today and sign up to host a world’s biggest coffee morning at coffeeregister.macmillan.org.uk. Thank you very much. Martin Clunes, patron, Macmillan Cancer Support
Autism hour Dear Editor,
I am writing to urge shops and businesses to help make our community by holding autism hours between October 5 and 12.
Our autism hour sees shops and services dim their lights, turn down music and share information about autism with staff and customers.
Being autistic means seeing, hearing and feeling the world in a different, often more intense way to other people.
For autistic people a trip to the shops can be overwhelming, difficult and daunting; our research revealed that 64 per cent avoid the shops and 28 per cent have been asked to leave a public place for autism-associated reasons.
By signing up, local businesses can help to open up the high street for the 58,000 autistic people and their families in Scotland.
I encourage local business to get involved and find out more by visiting www.autism.org.uk/autismhour. Nick Ward, National Autistic Society Scotland