I HAVE loved Glasgow since my sister settled there many years ago. Whenever I visited during the 70s and 80s people would ask me: when are you going to Edinburgh? I always answered that I wasn’t going to Edinburgh because I liked Glasgow so much. In more recent years I have visited less but still enjoy the streetscapes. I am just back from my most recent stay.
Glasgow’s built heritage is well-known, and has been the subject of fine illustrated books; it attracts many tourists; it is a first-class example of a Victorian city where the fine municipal and commercial buildings are set in the context of handsome tenements built of stone, and of many less grand streets of plainer stone buildings designed, presumably, for mixed dwelling and business use.
Now to see so many poorly designed and unsuitable new modern buildings appearing is a worry; it is distressing that the more ordinary old streets are gap-toothed, waiting for blocks to be demolished and replaced by modern buildings that don’t fit in and that have no cachet. Restore and use the older buildings: please don’t destroy what cannot be replaced.
I would hope that Glaswegians may wake up and insist that the integrity of their streets be kept, and that the council that is supposed to look after the city wakes up and stops the destruction. I think it is vital for the future good of the city.
Norma Jessop, Dublin.
Stroke care plea
I NOTE with interest the article by Andrea Cail, director of the Stroke Association in Scotland (“The best stroke care can save lives… but Scotland is failing”, The Herald, October 29). Some time ago the public became aware that the SNP Government had silently phased out thrombectomy, a life-saving treatment, despite it being available in the rest of the UK.
It is also available in most developed countries worldwide, but Scottish victims are being denied this life-saving operation and having to settle for second best. No one is immune from the risk of stroke and its debilitating effects and the Scottish Government is dragging its heels over this provision. There are still no working stroke centres providing this treatment whilst more and more people succumb to is deliberating effects.
Perhaps if Nicola Sturgeon & Co put as much effort into the needs of “all the people of Scotland” for whom she constantly purports to speak, rather than independence, then this treatment would be available now, saving lives and preventing costly rehabilitation.
Moira Downs, Strathaven.
End the Haka
IT is with great dismay that I note that a fine has been imposed on the English Rugby Union following the line-up of their team in the recent Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand which it is said followed a “cultural ritual practice”.
What utter nonsense. The Haka performed by New Zealand rugby players is the most intimidating display on a sports field I have ever witnessed with their players prior to kick-off filled with hatred and giving them seven points of a start before a ball is kicked. Full marks however to a very well-drilled England team who met the All Blacks eye-to-eye and fully deserved their win.
How I long for the day when an opposing nation turn their backs on this ridiculous Haka, a practice which should be banned here and now.
Kenneth P Colville, Craigmore, Isle of Bute.
Blaming the heroes
REGARDING the Grenfell report: How can it be right to blame those who risked their own lives to save others (“Grenfell Tower report accuses fire brigade of ‘serious shortcomings’”, The Herald, October 30)?
John Dunlop, Ayr.
Carol call
With a General Election for December 12 I suggest the addition of Rescue the Perishing to the list of carols for Christmas 2018.
Russell Smith, Kilbirnie.
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