Try harder to aid frail fans
AS an émigré Scot, it is always a great thrill to see Scotland play rugby at Murrayfield. But as a 78-year old with two wonky knees – I’m waiting for a convenient break in cancer treatment to have them replaced – and not able to walk too far, I can attest to the need for facilities to improve. We paid hefty hospitality costs for six family members, only to find the entrance to the hospitality marquees were at the farthest distance from the hospitality gate where we entered. Why not turn this around? It would save a quite unnecessary trek for elderly and semi-invalid fans who had paid a lot of money to attend. On the trek back towards our seats, it was the fourth “Can I help you” steward who was able to direct us to one of two rather ancient lifts to the first upper level. Then we had to climb more than 40 rather steep steps to our seats. My wife’s FitBit device recorded 2.3miles, plus the steps, as the total distance covered. In the United States, where we have spent much of our time, there would have been a fleet of golf carts to assist anyone with ambulatory difficulties. Lifts and escalators might take a while to organise but simple things such as golf carts or other such aids take only a little thoughtfulness. A roof over the arena may well take even longer to add but this would have made Saturday’s game a lot better – and more comfortable – to watch. Come on Murrayfield, you can do better than this.
George Copeland, Wokingham, Berks.