Paving the way for a healthy future in sport

Sporting activity has been a bit thin on the ground during 2020, so it was heartening this week to hear that Campbeltown’s swimmers were back in the water (page 28) and that the town’s oldest and longest-running football club was laying solid foundations for the future (pages 12 and 13).

Unlike many sectors, sport heavily influences the physical and mental wellbeing of the nation. It plays a significant role in society; people active, makes people healthier both physically and mentally, and helps people to develop their own skills and confidence.

Sport and physical activity has been used as a tool for crime diversion, building social and community cohesion. It teaches teamwork, it teaches discipline, it teaches respect.

For many, participating in sport is the highlight of their week. That sense of belonging, a sense of achievement, a feeling of winning or losing together and competing, whatever the level. Grassroots is the foundation on which sport is built. It’s at a grassroots club where a child will kick their first ball, bowl, tackle, catch, shoot – it’s where they fall in love with sport. Every elite performer began their career in grassroots sport somewhere and were inspired by the coaches and the club surroundings, encouraged and nurtured at every level.

So well done to Kintyre Swimming Club, Campbeltown Pupils Football Club and all the other sports outfits paving a way for an active and healthy future for all.

Dereliction of duty over A83

The SNP government’s lack of action in delivering a permanent solution to the problems besetting the A83 is inexcusable.

The SNP has been in power for more than 13 years but has done next to nothing to deliver a permanent solution to the chronic problems with the A83 which are strangling the economy of much of Argyll and Bute.

It is truly shocking to learn from the Fraser of Allander Institute that the SNP government is hoarding as much as £1 billion of funding from the UK Government, some of which could, of course, be spent on sorting out this problem. There are plainly the financial resources to deal with this.

It is an inexcusable dereliction of duty on their part and will not be forgiven or forgotten by people whose jobs and livelihoods are being threatened by this ongoing crisis.

Donald Cameron MSP, Highlands and Islands Region.

Vandalism unacceptable

I was happy to hear from my constituents when I was out and about in Bowmore again recently.

Many pressing matters were raised, including the poor condition of pavements, faultily street lights at Stanalane and potholes on Shore Street and Jamieson Street.

The recent vandalism of the hand sanitiser dispenser within the bus shelter is as worrying as it is unacceptable.

All of these matters and more have been raised with the appropriate department and I will continue to lobby relentlessly for better infrastructure across the Kintyre and the Islands ward. Councillor Alastair Redman, Kintyre and the Islands ward.

Licence plea to Auntie Beeb

I see Claudia Winkleman is to be paid £1 million for her ‘work’.

While I am sure she is a capable broadcaster, and may be worth a good salary, surely £1 million is extracting the liquid.

I have calculated that this sum amounts to 6,349 free television licences for the over-75s. When you then think of other celebrities earning mouth-watering sums from the BBC, this gives clear evidence that the BBC could quite easily continue with the free television licences for the over-75s.

My income does not qualify for pension credit by a small margin but I have now had two communications from TV Licensing reminding me to pay the fee.

Each time it encloses a brochure and various forms to complete in the hope that I feel empowered to pay the £157.50 required to watch TV.

So far, I have decided to weather the storm and not pay. My hope is that thousands of over-75s do likewise and Auntie will realise that expecting us to fall into line is not as simple as it expects.

Silver Voices continue to pressure the BBC to think again and reinstate free licences for the over-75s. It has my full support and will continue to do so until the BBC bites the bullet and cancels its continued harassment of OAPs.

Keith Abendroth, Campbeltown.

Sprinklers ‘will save lives’ thanks to new regulations

Sir,

I am delighted that the Scottish Government is taking forward my campaign for greater fire safety precautions in social housing.

Guidance is now going out to the building industry, ahead of installing fire sprinklers in all new social housing with new regulations coming into effect next year.

The sprinklers will be a requirement in new flats, maisonettes and larger multi-occupancy dwellings, including where care is provided.

Fire sprinklers have proved time and time again to be effective in the fight against fire and I know that this move will save lives.

There has always been strong backing for these plans from the public, the industry and other MSPs, especially in the light of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

I would still like retro-fitting sprinklers in older properties to be considered and, although that is my longer term hope, I understand the problems this would pose.

I am delighted this is coming in before I retire as an MSP at next year’s election – what better than a life-saving ‘present’ at Christmas?

David Stewart MSP, Highlands and Islands Region Give carers a helping hand this Christmas

For many of us, the festive season is a time for giving and sharing, which is why we’re inviting you to celebrate Giving Tuesday.

I’d like to take a moment to share with your readers how, in choosing to give to our charity, Revitalise, you’ll be making a real difference to the lives of the disabled people and carers that we support.

As a charity we know that however tricky this past year has been, life is about spending time with the people we love, and everyday life can so easily get in the way of that.

Hilary has cared for her son Shaun since he had an accident on holiday in Ibiza, aged 19.

Caring is simply something she does for the person she loves.

As she explains: ‘For the last 15 years I’ve been caring for Shaun but I definitely wouldn’t call myself a carer, it’s just something I do as his mum.

‘I’m never, ever, going to give up on my son. Life is too short you know; you need to keep fighting.’

On top of the difficulties this year has presented, disabled people and the elderly have also been left with far less support than usual, as the Emergency Coronavirus Act allowed

local authorities to axe their duty of care responsibilities.

Feeling vulnerable and abandoned, many carers are close to breaking point.

This is why we have launched our campaign, Care For Carers and the fundraiser Raise a Million, aiming to raise £1 million to support carers and their loved ones to access respite care breaks following lockdown.

We have provided respite care breaks – a vital lifeline to so many unpaid home carers and their disabled loved ones – for over 57 years.

So, in celebration of Giving Tuesday this

month, why not pledge to give something special to our charity this festive season?

I am so proud to work for Revitalise as we amplify the voice of carers, and will continue to do so until carers stories are heard. Please support our campaign if you can, and help us spread the word about the struggles carers are facing right now.

To find out more about Revitalise, our breaks, or the ways that we may be able to support guests, please visit: www.revitalise.org.uk or call: 0303 303 0145.