Blazing row over Ross County pyrotechnics - and three cheers for Dingwall schoolgirl
ROSS-Shire Journal readers have been sharing their thoughts on a wide variety of stories which have appeared online and in print.
These include everything from the use of pyrotechnics at the Dingwall home of Ross County to the trials and tribulations of travel on the A9 and the achievements of a Dingwall schoolgirl representing her country on the football field.
I see that Jamie Stone is back on Facebook talking about roads. At least this time about roads in his own patch, so I guess that’s an improvement on his disingenuous Irish adventure! I also received one of his ‘Newspapers’ this week and the obsession with the A9 continues there too.
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I have been wondering for a while why he is so obsessed with the emergency travel of patients from Caithness in particular. Why not Durness? Or Ullapool? Or Strathy? Why is he not arguing for consultants on the west coast too? And, of course, west coast drivers have to navigate the single-track road/dual track road systems, which surely are just as confusing as the switches between single and dual carriageway systems that need to be navigated on the A9? It makes me wonder if it is because those ballot boxes may be more valuable to his cause?
And then there is history. When I first started commuting the A9 North to Caithness, we had a Labour/LibDem coalition Scot Gov, with Jamie Stone MSP as our elected representative. The Berriedale Braes was the most dangerous stretch of road in the UK.
Nothing was done about it. Nothing was planned to be done about it. Then we had SNP MSPs influencing an SNP administration and providing a solution-focussed approach… The improvement to that section of road is huge, the road much safer.
I also wonder why he has not spoken to his Lib Dem colleagues over the Pentland Firth in Orkney and Shetland. The MP and MSPs there seem quite happy with the Midwife-led units there and for mothers to travel to Aberdeen if there is a need for consultant-led care.
Or would that perhaps provide him with a solution, which would take away his one campaign strategy – the A9?
Maybe I would feel less cynical towards Stone if I thought he was actually looking for solutions, perhaps starting a fundraising campaign or a working group for a Caithness NHS helicopter? It works for the Northern Isles after all. His elected Lib Dem colleagues there know perfectly well that there are not enough births on the isles for a consultant to maintain their training hours.
Maybe its just that he has got stuck in the groove. Let’s hope he will soon find the will to work with others to find solutions. I worry that we might be more likely to get blood from a stone.
Rebecca Machin,
Edderton
ONLINE
One of the biggest employers in a rural village is in the running to win a prestigious national award.
Laide Post Office, General Store and Filling Station is in the shortlist for the Countryside Alliance Awards — for the second consecutive year.
With six members of devoted staff, the team are proud to serve their local community with a wide range of goods.
‘So very well deserved! Well done!’ - Lou Middleton
Ross County teenager Keira Syrjanen has been called up to the Scotland Under-17 squad to compete at the MIMA Cup in Spain next month.
The Dingwall Academy pupil has been named in the 24-player squad which will take on Canada, Czechia and Sweden. England and Mexico are also competing in the tournament.
‘Well done Keira!’ - Alistair Ross
‘Fantastic!’ - Lynda Campbell
‘Well done girls’ - Kenneth Mackay
The Mason family say the outpouring of support after their daughter Sophie was diagnosed with Batten Disease is enough to restore anyone’s faith in humanity.
It has been a tough spell for parents Keith and Lizzie, and their entire family, from Inverness, after daughter Sophie was diagnosed with the rare, incurable neurological disorder in November.
The family have started up a Facebook page, called “Sophie’s Story”, to raise awareness of the condition – of particular importance given how scarce examples are, and how difficult Batten Disease can be to identify.
‘Wee pet lamb’ - Elaine Mackenzie
‘A horrible disease.’ - Sheryl Mcnaught
Ross County’s safety officer and operations manager David O’Connor says he believes Scottish football is losing control of pyro.
The Staggies saw their Scottish Cup tie against Livingston last weekend marred by disruption to a minute’s silence for former County player Gordon Seaton and Scottish footballing legend Denis Law.
A small group of supporters in the Jail End ignited toxic pyrotechnics, with a further flare being let off later in the match.
‘Yes, we could do with showing a bit more enthusiasm but there is no place for vandalism. Hope they throw the book at the culprits.’ - Jean Kilpatrick
‘Yeah let's keep the stadium a morgue absolute joke of a club.’ - John Jeremy
‘John Jeremy - Are you condoning the letting off of flares? Surely not.’ - John Stephen
You can share your views on stories in the Ross-shire Journal or contribute your own by getting in touch. Email hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
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