Arran Banner Letters – week 26, 2024

Marvellous Minis

Sir,

When you look at the island there would appear to be lots of Minis. I reckon 40 - there are three mini mokes and lots of old and brand new cars. I was thinking of organising a mini show maybe at the Ormidale Park. What do you think? If you think its a good idea give me a shout on arranshand@googlemail.com

Yours,

Derek Shand,

Brodick.

Ferry timetables

Sir,

Why is Isle of Arran not operating it’s normal summer schedule out of Brodick? If Caledonian Isles were present, Isle of Arran would be leaving Brodick at 7am and Ardrossan at 7.20pm. Surely this would be better for all concerned? Day trippers would lose the 9.45 from Ardrossan but would gain an 8.20am and an 11.10am sailing. If Alfred were operating later, say 9am to 9.30am from Troon, they could still arrive on the island at the normal 10.45am or thereabouts, if they wanted. I see people are blaming the RMT for some of the current issues but surely the RMT can’t object to the Isle of Arran being put on it’s normal summer roster.

Yours,

Eric Gilmour,

Lochwinnoch.

National plan for end of life care

Sir

With party manifestos and policies dominating the news, the general election is no doubt at the forefront of reader’s minds. What is concerning is that none of the parties have set out a comprehensive plan to fix end of life care, which will be a significant challenge for our health and care systems in the years to come.

This election, Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, is asking politicians to commit to ending the postcode lottery in access, finding a sustainable way to fund vital end of life care, and setting out a national plan for end of life care that guarantees 24/7 access. 

Over the next parliament, 3.3 million people in the UK will die and without action after this election, more people will have a bad death, carers will suffer, and there will be more strain on the NHS. The current system in Scotland all too often forces people with a terminal illness into hospital when they don’t want or need to be there which causes unnecessary strain for people living with terminal illness, their families, and the NHS.

That’s why we are campaigning for a right to palliative care in Scotland. By 2040, 20 per cent more Scots will need palliative and end of life care. Thousands could end up dying without the support they deserve.

Marie Curie last year provided direct support to over 8,000 people across Scotland through its services. We provide expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from and those they care for, through its free information and support line, as well as in its hospices and where people live. 

We are urging people across Scotland to sign our petition to UK party leaders, to make sure that the next government in London can not overlook end of life. The petition can be found on our website at www.mariecurie.org.uk/policy/campaigns

Yours,

Amy Dalrymple,

Marie Curie Scotland.

Voting for animals

Sir,

With the election just around the corner, we’d invite anyone concerned about how animals are treated to visit our ‘Votes for Animals’ website. Animal Aid know how important the compassionate treatment of animals is to our supporters and the public. To help gauge where different parliamentary candidates stand regarding the treatment of animals, we’ve launched a website called ‘Votes for Animals’. Users can contact local candidates, with one email, asking them to support 10 pledges to improve the lives of millions of animals. You can also see various party manifestos and their animal policies.

Animal Aid has campaigned against all animal experiments for almost 50 years, we’ve funded the development of a non-animal version of the LD50 which traditionally involved giving groups of animals increasing doses of a substance until half of them are dead. It’s both cruel and unreliable. The non-animal version, AcutoX, is now being used and is saving lives - we’ve even won the LUSH prize for our campaign.

Visit votesforanimals.org.uk to find out what, if anything, different parties will do, about animal experiments, if they are elected.

Yours,

Jessamy Korotoga,

Animal Aid.