Gandhi statue honour

Mahatma Gandhi was an inspirational figure and it is wonderful to see Ayr with his statue.

My grandfather Sanny Sloan was very involved in the peace movement and also was in the India League and other movements for colonial freedom.

He eventually became an Ayrshire MP for the last six years of his life working hard as always to better the lives of working people. He also believed in non- violence. He was also a great Burns exponent.

He was friendly with a number of Indian Independence activists and particularly with Krishna Menon who was many years a cabinet minister once India had its own government. He sent a huge wreath to my grandfather Sloan’s funeral as he could not attend. Perhaps this gesture was because he made over 20 speeches on Indian issues in his six years in Parliament. His last speeches ever in the House of Commons were on August 23, 1945 and were about Indian political prisoners, They also covered freedom of assembly etc., as well as an enquiry into the Government of India’s handling of famine in Bengal which had taken place and not properly acted on in his opinion.

As an internationalist, a pacifist and a fighter for the rights and representation of the poor, Sanny had a lot in common with the great man but obviously on a tiny scale.

I am really delighted that we have this bronze of such an iconic figure in Ayr. It is a great honour for us to have it and to recognise what it stands for.

Esther Clark Ronaldshaw Park, Ayr

Craigie Park disgrace I am writing to complain about the current state of Craigie Park.

When the seats were taken out and replaced by trees, no consideration was given to the general public as not one seat was replaced. There are plenty of seats on the school side but in this

quieter side of the park the alternative is an old drain to sit on — it is a disgrace. Other public parks such as Rozelle have plenty of seats, so why has Craigie Park been abandoned by the council? I would like to know, and many others who use the park say the same. Name and address withheld for publication

Field of dreams With the recent proposal to turn the Low Green into a tourism magnet , I am reminded of the quote from the film Field of Dreams “if you build it they will come”.

While any attempt to increase tourism would be welcome, perhaps the first step would be to tackle the car parking within South Ayrshire. And perhaps two hours free parking in the town centre, replace the rip off residents parking permits at £ 50 per year to be replaced by an admin only fee permit of £ 8.50 which is the current permit processing fee. And let’s go all in and abolish parking charges when we have extra cash to afford to do it. Oh wait the council has in the shape of the reported £ 500, 000 extra council tax income it will receive this year from kind hearted single people who failed to confirm they did indeed live on their own according to the Treasury Management report that went before the Council on September 17. And by doing so the SNP would be fulfilling its manifesto commitment from the local elections in 2017 that all their sitting councillors signed as part of their priorities for South Ayrshire , or perhaps we should wait on the spectacle of a squadron of flying pigs being the highlight of the Airshow?

Ian Stewart, Ayr

TheBridgetoBrodick The Bridge to Brodick is a runner.

It’s a real winner for sure. Councillor Connolly will set up a trust in his front room and do the business case Councillor McGinley will attest as to how it will help the disadvantaged kids in Ayrshire take up golf. Councillor Saxton will shut down all debate when any objections are raised by competent and informed residents demonstrating what a democrat he is. Not. SAC consultation will show that 97 per cent of kids under 7 years of age think it’s a fab idea. Douglas Campbell will propose the rubble from the high flats, Station Hotel and Hourstons will be recycled for the foundations proving the green credentials of South Ayrshire Council. The SNP will ask Derek Mackay to build it at Ferguson’s shipyard and put the new sick kids hospital tzar in charge of the project. It will of course be made of Chinese Steel of dubious metallurgical standards and the approach roads built on that awfully wasteful Common Good land formerly known as the Low Green. And two kids a year from Whiting Bay will use the Douglas Campbell Memorial Pool thereby increasing the annual number of paying customers by 100%. What is the Tory position in the Bridge to Brodick? I think we should be told! Maybe Boris could get two bridges for the price of one! Not too difficult to make this stuff up!

Sadly.

John Dunlop, Ayr