HAVING lived in Helensburgh for more than 80 years, and being proud of my town, I feel I must put pen to paper to air my views on the bin collection shambles.

Helensburgh has always been much admired for its picturesque tree-lined streets; now it is the ugly bin-lined streets.

Bins lie out on pavements and verges for days on end, as no-one is sure when they will be emptied.

Householders do their bit by lining them up neatly outside their properties, but when the collections take place, often in the dark, bins are scattered all over the place, causing a hazard to pedestrians, particularly disabled people, but also those with prams and buggies.

Surely it is not asking too much for the operatives to replace the bins where they pick them up from?

It is most disheartening to see the change in what was a pretty scenic town.

Elsa F. Robb,

East Princes Street,

Helensburgh

IN the run up to Christmasses in the past, Helensburgh residents always used to be treated to the sight of Santa emptying the bins around the town.

His cheerful singing and attention to detail are now sadly missing. He knew instinctively where to collect and replace the bins. He knew the route. Gone is the sight of his trusted reindeer waiting to take the bins’ contents away.

We in Helensburgh are being subjected to even more technology. First it was the car park, and now the rubbish collection. And for what?

We are told it saves money. That’s all very well if the service provided is the same, or better. Sadly, it is not.

There are fewer men and lorries trying to do the same job. All the technology in the world does not help the bin from the street on to the back of the Vulcan.

We now have binmen dressed in high-vis jackets, and Vulcans with GPS installed so the council can keep track of them.

They don’t need to do that. Phone me and I will tell them they’re not here. The system is not working on Route 5.

Liz McLean,

Helensburgh

THE SNP is spending nearly £80 million a year using private hospitals for the NHS. This is despite assurances the spending would drop, and repeated rhetoric criticising the private healthcare industry.

It shows the SNP is incapable of running the NHS and, while the independent sector is valuable, the Scottish Government should at least admit as much.

It has also emerged that the Scottish Government will be three years late in delivering four trauma centres.

It’s become increasingly apparent that the SNP has no idea what the project will even end up costing.

It’s the latest blow for the scheme, which was meant to be up-and-running last year.

This truly shows the chaos of the project, and the SNP’s mishandling of the NHS more widely.

Once again we are shown that the SNP can’t be trusted with our NHS.

Alastair Redman,

Portnahaven,

Islay

THERE is more than a hint of irony that as Scotland, along with the UK, prepares to leave the European Union, the island of Malta, with a population less than that of Edinburgh has just taken over the Presidency of the EU.

The presidency is responsible for driving forward the Council’s work on EU legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda, orderly legislative processes and cooperation among member states.

This is the first time the island will hold the Presidency, and during the next six months it will focus on six key areas: migration, single market, security, social inclusion, Europe’s neighbourhood and maritime sector. Leading the EU.

Interestingly Estonia, with a population of less than 1.4 million people, around a quarter that of Scotland, will take over the EU presidency in July.

During the independence referendum, the Better Together camp claimed that the only way to guarantee Scotland’s place in the EU was to vote to remain in the UK. Indeed, Scotland was to ‘lead the UK’, not ‘leave the UK’.

Times have indeed changed since September 2014 and we are, despite these assurances, heading for the EU exits.

Of course, we could have the best of both worlds, part of a single market with the rest of the UK - as promised to Northern Ireland in its relations with the Republic of Ireland - and still be members of the EU.

For that to happen of course requires the confidence, as Malta and Estonia have demonstrated, to take full control of our own affairs and be the masters of our own destiny, leading, not leaving, the EU.

Alex Orr,

Leamington Terrace,

Edinburgh

THE British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland is asking locals to nominate their Heart Hero for our Heart Hero Awards 2017.

The four categories this year are for the Inspiration Award, Fighting Spirit Award, Young Hero Award and Heart Health Professional Award.

These awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional contribution of our supporters, fundraisers, volunteers and partners who have made an exceptional contribution to our fight for every heartbeat.

Last year’s winners included four-year old Ellie Payne, who raised more than £24,000 for the BHF, and Jenny Kumar, who joined friends to organise a photography exhibition in which heart patients proudly show their scars.

Since the BHF was established the annual number of deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK has fallen by half.

We are asking locals to nominate their Heart Hero, so that we can celebrate their achievements in helping us to eradicate this devastating disease.

To find out more and to sign up, go to our website www.bhf.org.uk/heartheroes

James Cant,

Director,

British Heart Foundation Scotland

ON Saturday, March 25, millions of people worldwide will switch their lights off for Earth Hour. This hour is a time to send a message to our leaders that we want action to protect the future of our brilliant planet, and to reflect on the ways that we can individually reduce our impact.

But there are already heroes in our communities who are going that extra mile for our planet every day, and we want to know about them. WWF and People’s Postcode Lottery have launched the Earth Hour Heroes competition to find and recognise the efforts of these special unsung heroes.

As a WWF Ambassador, I am urging your readers to help seek out these heroes amongst us, who make a real difference in helping protect our planet, and inspire others through their actions, as this is no easy task and should be rewarded. 

I encourage people in your local community to nominate themselves or others for awards in three different categories – for their efforts in their home, workplace or community. Winners will receive £1,000 each, and will be presented their award at an exclusive ceremony at the Palace of Westminster.

A brighter future for our planet can start with each of us, and there has never been a better time to shine a spotlight on how individual people everywhere can begin to make a real difference, starting in our own homes, families, communities and businesses.

To find out more and to nominate your heroes, please go to wwf.org.uk/EarthHourHeroes.

Kevin McCloud,

WWF Ambassador

Now that the festive season has drawn to an end, and while many of your readers will have enjoyed a very happy Christmas with family and friends it is important to remember those who have struggled with loneliness, depression and anxiety over the holidays, and continue to do so.

This time of year can be particularly hard for the elderly with many men and women suffering from depression, which can be the result of bereavement, marital problems or a whole host of other issues, and yet receive very little help from the NHS.

Aged Veterans Counselling, a government-backed organisation supported by veterans’ charities, offers a free counselling scheme across the UK to anyone born before 1950 who was in the military or completed National Service.

Aged Veterans Counselling are able to offer vital support to those in need, providing up to six free counselling sessions in the comfort of their own home, provided by accredited professionals, which has proven to have an immensely positive impact on those who participate.

So can I ask your readers to spare a thought for loved ones, friends, neighbours or someone in their care who might qualify and benefit from this free counselling service. They can contact, in confidence, Aged Veterans Counselling on 0300 0120 247 or online at www.agedveterancounselling.org.uk

Josephine Bey,

Aged Veterans Counselling