School librarianscampaign goes on

This decision was made despite a high level of disagreement during the council’s budget consultation process; despite testimony from pupils and parents about the valuable role played by school librarians in supporting youngsters’ learning; despite protests from our MSP, MP, organisations such as the Scottish Book Trust and well-respected authors; and despite a petition which has over 2,000 signatories.

The campaign Supporters of Argyll and Bute School Libraries (on Facebook) continues to press for the reinstatement of school librarians. Many councillors agree that this cut should not have been made. There is an opportunity to overturn this disastrous decision.

What’s the current situation in your youngster’s school? How can pupils make use of library resources? Who is there to support youngsters’ independent reading and research? What are pupils missing most without a school librarian?

If you know the answers to these questions, and if you are not happy about them, please contact your local councillors. You will find their details on www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/councillor_list.

Tell them what is really happening in schools and ask them to support a motion which will put school librarians back to work supporting young learners’ education, well-being and life chances.

Jenny Des Fountain

(on behalf of SABSL),

Erray Road,

Tobermory, Isle of Mull

I THINK the contrast in the letters in the August 18 issue of the Advertiser, between the verging on the over-the-top (‘overreaching Orwellian legislation’) email from Alastair Redman and the considered letter from Robin Irvine – who at least has first-hand knowledge of the matter in hand – speaks volumes.

Stuart Russell,

Helensburgh

You may already know of the activities of the Cowal Fixed Link Working Group.

This group was established a couple of years ago, comprising local councillors, community councillors and business people, and with the support of Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell.

The impetus came from the Argyll and Bute Economic Forum, held in October 2014, of which I am sure you are aware, and which dramatically quantified the poor economic and population outlook for this region of the county.

The group is well aware that any fixed link from Cowal to the Central Belt is a long-term project that would need driving at a national level, and that there are many short and medium-term activities that can and should be taking place now to try and stem the economic decline.

However, a fixed link is seen by our group as the one project that could transform the fortunes of this area for future generations.

We are aware that Cowal and South Argyll are not the only rural areas in Scotland with economic problems, but uniquely placed as we are, on the edge of a major urban centre, the opportunity posed by such a link should be grasped.

The group has looked at a number of route options and is conscious that this will be a significant capital project. However, we also believe that there will be a significant economic impact to the local, county and broader national economy if the project goes ahead.

We are in discussion with the Fraser of Allander Institute at Strathclyde University to create an economic model of this impact. Within that, for example, we expect a major boost to tourism as the fixed link will provide a convenient and reliable way to access this spectacular section of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

The group is also pleased that the idea of taking the fixed link project to the next step is supported by both the Argyll and Bute Economic Forum Report from February 2016 and the HIE Argyll and Bute Transport Connectivity and Economy Report from June 2016.

I recently received a letter from Cllr David Parker, leader of Borders Council, which outlines in summary the challenges that the Borders Railway project faced and the approaches they took. He also makes it clear that the economic benefits they are now experiencing far outweigh the expectations they had.

Two clear tipping points can be learned from that experience: first, early support from the local council and politicians; and second, completion of the feasibility study which puts numbers and costs on all aspects of the project.

We are at Stage 1 — we need council support to move forward. Supporting this long-term project at this stage does not mean any less focus on pressing short-term issues, but provides a firm base that will take many years to deliver. The Borders Railway project was at this stage in the late 1990s, and did not go live until 2015.

We expect that the full Argyll and Bute Council will be asked to take a position on this project in the next few months. We can only repeat the conclusion of the motion approved by the Bute and Cowal Area Committee at their meeting on June 7: “Agrees to recommend to the council that Argyll and Bute Council participates with all other relevant partners in future discussions to assist with the delivery of what is clearly a national project.”

We remain available to provide more information on route options and the potential economic benefits either by phone or by email or in person. However, most importantly, we request your support. All great achievements start with small steps and you can help with that first small step just now.

David J McKenzie,

Chair,

Cowal Fixed Link Working Group

After Team Great Britain achieved its best Olympic result in over a century, we can all take pride in our country’s almost unbelievable medal haul and sporting prowess.

Out of the entire world our country has come second, ahead of China.

I would like to pass on my congratulations and thanks to all of Team GB for showing that once again Great Britain is a world beater when our United Kingdom works together as one.

Alastair Redman,

Portnahaven,

Islay

This September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we are asking your readers to take on the £170 challenge to make a real difference to the lives of children with cancer.

£170 is the grant children and young people’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent gives to families when a child is diagnosed with cancer.

As well as the often devastating emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis, the resulting financial impact can be huge – costs go up and income often goes down. Our £170 grants provide help to cope with immediate costs – such as petrol, household bills and parking – to stop cancer costs spiralling.

In 2015-16 CLIC Sargent was able to provide £1.1million in grants across the nation. With your help we can continue providing this practical support to ease the financial burden of childhood cancer.

There are lots of ways you can take on the £170 challenge. Maybe you could harness the power of cake and hold a baking competition or cake and coffee morning? Why not keep it simple with a collection or dress-down day at work or school? Or you could take part in our Big Buzz event by shaving or cutting your hair.

We’d love to see as many people as possible taking on the £170 challenge in September. To find out more about fundraising for children with cancer, contact me on 0141 572 5706 or rachael.mclean@clicsargent.org.uk.

Rachel McLean,

Fundraising manager,

CLIC Sargent

IT didn’t surprise me to hear Donald Trump has a higher approval rating than our First Minister among Brexit voters.

There is no comparison, though: one wants an open market and an end to crony trade deals with China, like shipping GM Motors there, while the other one doesn’t have a problem with corrupt open-market trade deals with the Chinese government.

This, remember in the last referendum, was used by the nationalists to prevent a free market.

We are now hearing of investigations into EU quangos’ role in possibly being responsible for 25 per cent of roads that have not been maintained properly.

I found Nicola Sturgeon’s interview with German TV embarrassing. She said she doesn’t have any answers, she is looking at all possibilities and is even willing to stay part of the UK to stay in Europe. This is not very democratic. Is this why the Scottish Government want a BBC Scottish Six, and are gagging ITV journalists and the Press and Journal for reporting correctly the verdict on Named Persons?

All this and backbenchers given dual roles with MSPs to influence committees, and the white paper is a thing of the past

Andrew McGlinchey,

via email