YOUR VIEWS: U-turn on Thurso respite centre, future of Wick library and positive reaction to John O’Groats transformation
Welcome for respite U-turn
Out of the blue we are informed that, after a review and consultation with stakeholders, respite care will resume at Thor House in Thurso.
That comes after the council voted against having an independent review and the chief executive said his hands were tied on this issue. Either way, I am more than happy with the outcome.
But what on earth is going on? This whole issue has been a complete shambles ever since Highland Council said respite care is not required in Caithness; it reflects how out of touch management in the authority are regarding care in the county.
The transparency on this issue is as clear as muddy water. The only reason for this U-turn is the publicity generated by the people who care about our services for children with disabilities.
As long as Highland Council continues with their attitude towards the rights of the Caithness people, all we can expect is more cuts to our local services.
Highland Council continues to ignore our requests for answers as to why this service was stopped in the first place. They are probably hoping, after their latest statement about reinstatement, it will put a stop to the negative publicity. They are wrong!
Council leader Raymond Bremner must know the reasons behind the decision to close Avonlea and respite care at Thor House, and if he does, it’s long past time he informed the public.
I look forward to reading the review report.
Billy Sinclair
Ormlie Drive
Thurso
What future for Wick’s library?
Many locals, including my sister Eswyl Fell who raised her concerns with Wick Community Council, are asking what will be the fate of the town’s old library?
It seems a long overdue, and doubtless convoluted, and certainly very expensive consultation process has yet to declare its findings.
With the council having now invested in Avonlea, the former children’s care home, to convert it, instead, to an educational facility, one does need to ask why?
The high school rector has declared that more than 40per cent of his pupils have a recognised additional support need (ASN) – then why not resume library services in the former St Fergus building and use the freed-up space to provide dedicated facilities on-site at the school?
It seems, instead, some of these children will be decamped to a segregated unit at the refurbished Avonlea, which had a short and troubled history.
Moving children with ASN away from the mainstream seems all rather conveniently out-of-sight and out-of-mind. A truly Dickensian and retrograde step. It is not the preferred choice of the high school rector, as he has publicly stated. Is it too late to stop the move to Avonlea?
Dan Mackay
Randolph Place
Wick
Kirk preservation is well supported
Old St Peter’s Kirk Preservation Association would like to thank all those who have supported us with visits and donations during the last year and Highland Council for the very welcome service of a brown bin.
Last year’s Christmas card sold well and the winner of the draw for the Christmas hanging on which it was based was Pack Number 84, Mrs Elspeth Buchan. Our thanks go out to all who bought and sent the cards, helping us to communicate with a wider audience.
With the continued support of funding and the relevant agencies, we hope to move forward this year in our efforts to preserve the kirk and pass on its history. To this end, some volunteers are at the kirk on the first Sunday of each month from 11am until 1pm (weather permitting) to welcome visitors.
We have a Facebook page and are developing a website at the moment which should be available soon. New members will always be welcome and joining at our AGM, held in May /June, is the ideal time to do this.
Christina Doake
Castle Street
Thurso
Finding the missing £20bn
Labour was unable to keep its election promises because of a previously unknown £20 billion black hole in the national finances. That looks an awful lot of money to the common man.
However, if we look a little closer it is not so large. There are 66 million people in the UK.
£20 billion divided by 66 million comes to £303. Spread over a year this works out at 83 pence per day.
I think that the people would accept a special tax to recover this if it enabled the government to keep its election promises.
John Campbell
Waitside
Castletown
Support families affected by breast cancer
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is fast-approaching, which means the return of wear it pink - Breast Cancer Now’s biggest and brightest fundraising event on Friday, October 18.
Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words “you have breast cancer”. Sadly, this happened to my eldest sister Tracey. When she died in 2016, the news rippled through the family – shaking us all. Little did we know this was just the beginning of the long shadow breast cancer would cast over us.
In October 2020, I received my own diagnosis. Telling my younger sister Nikki was harder than I ever imagined. But when Nikki revealed months later that she’d also been diagnosed with breast cancer, I couldn’t believe it. Three sisters in one family!
While Tracey hadn’t lived to see my diagnosis, I was here to see Nikki’s – and I was determined to support her through this.
Together we have come out the other side. Although we were both tested for the BRCA gene, it came back negative. The hospital told us that there probably was a genetic connection, but more research was needed to establish one.
This is why I’m calling on everyone to wear pink and raise money this October to help fund a life-saving research breakthrough that could help families like mine.
Support is just as vital. By wearing pink, you can help someone get reliable information and support when they need it most. Or drive forward vital campaigning, to make sure everyone living with breast cancer gets the best possible treatment and care.
However you decide to fundraise, you will be helping Breast Cancer Now to continue its world-class research and vital support.
So, on October 18, wear it pink, raise money and help create a future where everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives, and is supported to live well. Sign up at wearitpink.org/SignUp
Michelle Blackburn
Breast Cancer Now
ONLINE VIEWS
End of the road for Caithness village’s ‘Carbuncle’ tag
It was great to read the article on John O’Groats. I spend most of my holiday each year in Scotland, part in John O’Groats, and what you say in the article is totally true – John O’Groats has a variety of places to eat and places to buy souvenirs, all have such friendly staff, whether one goes into the First and Last Shop, Cafe Groat, Tourist Information or any of the shops not mentioned.
The whole village is really worth visiting, not least the (now level) home of John O’Groats Football Club, and reflects really well on those who have developed the village in recent years. A very good article which reflects a very good community.
Brian Weir
Armagh
