YOUR VIEWS: ‘It’s panto season once again at Cairngorm Mountain’
Well that time of year is with us again and Highlands and Islands Enterprise are staging their pantomime ‘The Return of the Funicular’.
There are a couple of changes. Instead of last year’s female lead, they have gone for the more traditional male role as the pantomime dame, but the script is still the same.
They are also staging it slightly later this year, December rather than August, although that date is already changing and as last year it may not be staged at all!
While the set is still being worked on it is expected that everything should be ready for rehearsals to start within the next week, but therein lies the problem.
Seriously though, the testing, H&S checks, DfT certification etc . all tak time.
In 2022/ 2023 it took about 5 ½ weeks to complete between 16/12/2022 and 24/01/2023. Working on the same timescale again brings us to the last week in January 2025.
That should make people extremely sceptical of HIE’s claims promoting the last week in December/ 1 st week in January.
However there are a number of reasons why the safety process should be more thorough and take longer this time, not least that the organisations involved got it so wrong last time! How could a “cableway” declared safe in January, with concerns raised about safety in June, be closed “ in the interests of public safety” by the end of August 2023?
Part of the repairs consisted of “I” beams and insitu joins being strengthened by about 1429 galvanised steel brackets, requiring 4,856 lengths of stainless steel studding and 19,424 nuts!
That does not take into account all the other brackets, bearings, pier supports, plates etc. forming part of the repairs. Weather!! 5 ½ weeks!!
I suspect that is wishful thinking.
Graham Garfoot
Jarrow
Tyne and Wear.
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Rejoice in beauty of planet despite troubling 2024
With the warmth and love of Christmas I greet friends and foes alike, including you and your excellent staff, as a deeply troubled year draws to a close.
The reality of climate change in storms, fire and flood, wars and famine, again cries out in this ancient anon poem:-
“O Radiant Star of Bethlehem shine on us yet again. Bring peace and hope and charity to rule the hearts of men”
However, rejoice in the beauty of our world, as the power and goodness of humanity will prevail.
The march of time may take its toll but there is joy in the magic of the moment.
Someone once said:- “Live every moment, laugh every day and love beyond words”.
May the promise of a new year bring you joy, as we sing and dance to the music of life! Slainte Mhath.
Grant Frazer
Cruachan
Newtonmore.
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MSP Fergus says what the people are thinking
Regarding the online Strathy article ‘ Strathspey MSP Fergus Ewing blasts proposals to cut national speed limit to 50mph’ published this past week.
Fergus is one of the very few politicians with any sense and should be listened to by everyone!
Alan J Walker
Pitlochry.
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‘Clean energy’ is a costly mistake for UK economy
There are no totally ‘clean’ means of generating energy for home, industry or transport, etc.
It's clear from the latest Strathy letters (4th December) from Messrs Alan Anderson and Geoff. France that clarification of views is needed.
First, electricity from windmills is extremely costly financially and environmentally if their (foreign) manufacturing demands, transport, installation, pylons, huge land wastage, constraint payments, slaughter of avian life, maintenance needs for fossil fuel backup, demolition, disposal and short working lifespan of around 15 years before replacement are all included in the costs.
All is very much worse with offshore siting.
Secondly, Geoff France is mistaken: I do not criticise the Chinese authorities for rejecting UN advice on energy generation as he describes.
Our Eastern commercial competitors, who emit most of the world's greenhouse gases, the alleged but unproven climate villains, have adopted rational, beneficial energy policies.
They are right.
We are opting instead, crazily, for ruinous, inefficient, self-harming means of energy generation. Power cuts and awful economic damage result and are rapidly worsening.
Only those on the climate gravy train and hostile foreign interests can benefit from the terrible advice from the UK governments, pressures from malign multi billionaires and UN climate bodies.
One doubts that our authorities really have our interests at heart.
Charles Wardrop
Viewlands Rd West
Perth.
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Sign up to support fair pay for our pensioners
The State Pension is not a benefit, it is a right earned through decades of work and contribution.
Yet, the UK government continues to raise the State Pension age and offer payments far below what is needed for a dignified life.
We have launched a petition [https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700113] calling for the State Pension to be available from age 60 and increased to match 48 hours per week at the National Living Wage.
This would provide £549.12 per week or £28,554.24 annually from April 2024.
The current system leaves many pensioners struggling.
With the basic State Pension standing at just £203.85 per week, or approximately £10,600 annually, retirees face financial hardship that is entirely preventable.
This figure equates to just 27 per cent of the average UK wage, one of the lowest comparable rates, in the developed world, according to OECD data.
Many older citizens are forced to continue working into their 70s, often in physically demanding roles, simply to make ends meet.
Setting the State Pension age at 60 would offer relief, not only to pensioners but also to younger generations struggling to find stable employment.
Many over 60s wish to retire, but are trapped in the workforce, blocking opportunities for younger workers to progress.
By enabling earlier retirement, we can address employment challenges across all age groups.
Furthermore, tying the State Pension to the National Living Wage acknowledges the true cost of living and the value of retirees' lifelong contributions.
As inflation drives up costs for essentials such as food, energy, and housing, a fair pension would prevent pensioners from being pushed into poverty.
Countries like the Netherlands and Denmark offer pensions worth 70-100 per cent of pre-retirement income, ensuring their elderly can live with dignity.
It’s time for the UK to follow suit.
Our taxes fund essential services, and a fair State Pension should be a priority.
We urge readers to sign the petition at [https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700113] and join the call for a State Pension that reflects fairness, dignity, and respect for those who have spent decades contributing to our nation.
Let’s demand that our government prioritises it's people, over austerity driven policies.
Wakeup Britain! (wakeupbritain2021@gmail.com)
Angela Templeton, Karen Burns, Dave Fabian, Denver Johnson, and Michael Thompson.
c/o Biddulph
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire.
