THANK you, Rosemary Goring ("Grandparents pay a heavy price as they miss out on family life", The Herald, Herald, May 20).
If all goes to plan, we will soon be able to visit our two-year-old grandson’s garden and begin the task of re-establishing the relationship we have had with him as part of his grandparents carer network.
I trust there will be a realisation that any semblance of social distancing with a toddler (from whom until now we have rigidly kept our distance at huge personal anguish) will be well-nigh impossible. The alternative – maintaining complete distance until a vaccine removes the need for social distancing, possibly years away – seriously underestimates the possible long-term impact on a child of severing deep and meaningful attachments and relationships. Considerable harm may already have been done. We will now have to learn to live with the virus and that involves learning to minimise risk as opposed to a continuing blanket attempt to avoid all risk.
To be offered proximity without touching and hugging will be, for this Nana, possibly an expectation too far and arguably cruel to all involved.
Dr Brenda Gillies, Newport on Tay.
A course in ettiquette
IN response to the letter (May 20) from Tommy Boyd suggesting that golf clubs and their "privileged minority" give up one day per week for others to use the course, I think that he should acknowledge that golfers, particularly in Scotland, come from all walks of life. Most clubs are on private land. It is the members' subscriptions that pay for keeping the courses in such fine condition. Most have welcomed families and walkers, particularly those with dogs, to enjoy the open spaces that our facilities provide.
Even when golf is again allowed most clubs will not object to dog walkers and the like being on the course provided they do not interfere with play, litter or cause damage. The right to roam is often cited by non-golfers as a right to be on the course, but land that has been developed as sports or playing field for a particular recreational purpose is excluded from this legislation.
If Mr Boyd wants to contribute to the upkeep of his local course by becoming a member then, as many clubs are struggling financially, even more so during lockdown I am sure he would be welcomed with open arms.
Sandy Tuckerman, Prestwick.
Time to move on
IN answer to Janice MacKay's question (Letters, May 20) as to what the late, great Jock Stein's reaction would have been on the sudden curtailment of the 2019/20 football season, I would suggest it would be dependent upon which club Mr Stein was presiding as manager at the time. As in many of life's challenges, decisions are made on the basis of the circumstances prevailing at the time. With the decision made, albeit not all concurring, it is time to move onwards and upwards into the new season.
Allan C Steele, Giffnock.
Returning nuisance
HAS anyone noticed the resurgence of nuisance calls in the past week or so?
During the main lockdown in the UK which was relaxed last week in England, I received none of them. Now in the past week there have been at least six, where when the phone was picked up no one spoke. Is this the productive work Boris Johnson was allowing people to return to?
Ivor Matheson, Dumfries.
Mellow mantra
A SLOGAN for easing lockdown (Letters, May 2)? May this Englishman have the temerity to suggest the wonderful “Ca’ Canny”? Says it all down to a T (a golf tee I hope).
David Waters, Blackwood.
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