Support for Bill

Dear Editor

The Off-patent Drugs Bill will be voted on in Parliament on 6 November. I am campaigning in support of this Bill and hope that my local MP joins me and lends their support to this vital piece of legislation which could benefit hundreds of thousands of patients across the UK.

Supported by Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, the Bill is designed to address the problem of making drugs that have fallen out of patent, but have since proved effective for clinical uses outside of their original licence, routinely available on the NHS.

If it successfully enters UK law, it will improve access to low-cost treatments for a range of conditions including breast cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

In order for it to progress a step closer to becoming law, 100 MPs need to turn up and vote in its favour this November.

Neglecting the clinical benefits of off-patent drugs is a huge oversight, especially as these drugs tend to be very low-cost.

Given the budgetary constraints on the NHS, surely this is exactly the type of opportunity that decision-makers should be embracing.

I would encourage others to join me and add their support to Breast Cancer Now’s Unlock Drugs campaign by visiting breastcancernow.org/ unlockdrugs Mrs Irene Proudfoot Mansefield Avenue Cambuslang

Thanks to Camglen

I just wanted to write in expressing my gratitude at hearing my story ‘Rolos’ being re-lived on Camglen radio.

The story, which won me the Rutherglen Storyteller of the Year Award in 2010, is the true tale of my first meeting with my fiancée Sarah-Louise McKay.

It was read out last week on Cat Gibson’s excellent lunchtime show (ps. loved the Aristocats intro) by Dorothy Connor, the much-loved local author and historian who was in charge of judging the prize.

The story means a lot to me, and seeing it in print in my local paper was a real milestone. To have it followed up by a reading on the local radio was definitely another one I won’t forget.

Dorothy read it with real patience and care; so well, in fact, that I enjoyed listening to it almost as an outsider... almost as though someone else had written it and I could sit there and enjoy it.

I hope anyone out there who listened to it can take it from me that writing is a truly rewarding vocation, and if there are any budding writers out there, I strongly encourage you to never give up.

I am sure Dorothy would agree. Craig Lamont via email

Political poetry

The Dug fae the Dale.

The dug fae the dale hid tae gather the sheep, an get them aw intae a pen. Cause the dug fae the dale won the contest, by beatin a wee dug called Ken.

Noo the dug fae the dale wis aw happy She had the Top Dug Title tae keep But in her joy, she seemed tae have forgotten

It wis the Shepherd who belanged tae the sheep.

An as we await the Shepherd’s election whither a quine or a loone The Dug fae the dale will soon dance Tae that familiar “Old Westminster Tune”. John Starrs Tobermory Road Rutherglen

Kirkhill must flourish

The decision to allow ownership of the sanctuary at Kirkhill to pass to LEAP is noble.

We now have a wonderful opportunity to bring the building back as a vibrant community resource while, hopefully, respecting the heritage of the site at Kirkhill.

It is important for future generations that the site at Kirkhill respectfully remains and is honoured – it was here that St Cadoc brought Christianity to Cambuslang in the sixth century and established his monastic settlement.

The great Cambuslang Revival of 1742 took place not a stone’s throw away at the Preaching Braes and minister Rev. William McCulloch lies buried in the church graveyard.

The great preacher George Whitefield visited and preached during this time of spiritual renewal.

The area itself is named after this historic “kirk on the hill” and surrounding street names honour the past – Cadoc, Whitefield, Meek.

The current church is steeped in history – heraldic shields honour the church’s benefactors (the 10th Duke of Hamilton being the principal heritor) and the stained glass by Sadie MacLellan is majestic.

St Cadoc himself is depicted with the maxim attributed to him “Without light nothing is good”.

Let us hope and pray that after this period of darkness, the light will once again shine on Kirkhill and the important work of LEAP in our community may continue to flourish. Graham MacGregor via email