The following letters were printed in the Carluke and Lanark Gazette 16/7/09...
Thank you, Douglas
Dear Ed, — I am writing to extend the gratitude of the Mainshill Solidarity Camp to everyone in the community who has been so generous in their support.
Special thanks to the Douglas Community Council which has helped so much in creating links between the Camp and those who wish to help.
The Mainshill Solidarity Camp was set up in solidarity with those in the community who object to the development of yet another open cast coal mine which will make South Lanarkshire one of the most heavily mined areas in Europe.
Since the community's objections to the planning process were dismissed, we felt we had no choice but to take direct action. The negative health impacts for those living around open cast mines, the surface environmental degradation, emissions caused by extracting coal let alone its burning and the injustice that this community should not be allowed to determine its own future are all reasons why we are occupying Mainshill Woods.
Please feel free to come and see us, get involved and find ways to work together to stop this mine! We have really enjoyed meeting you and we appreciate all the support. There will be another community picnic this Sunday, July 19 at Mainshill.
Please check the website for details: www.mainshill.noflag.org.uk or call 0780692604. Yours etc.,
Eve McKerry,
Mainshill Solidarity Camp.
Policing G8?
Dear Ed, — Travelling to work early last Wednesday morning I thought that possibly the G8 summit had come to our small village of Douglas in South Lanarkshire, or was it the new venue for T in the Park?
No, it wasn't; according to the police, they were present in great numbers in full high visibility gear and headed by a Superintendent, simply to remove two items of plant from the proposed opencast coal site at Mainshill Wood, on land owned by the Earl of Home, which is now occupied by eco protesters.
One of the biggest gripes in recent years in our community has been the lack of police presence and the inability to obtain the services of the police when required.
Yet here they were kitted out, complete with video cameras, in the monumental task of recovering two machines left by contractors.
Environmentally, South Lanarkshire has a problem with persecution of birds of prey, yet despite continued approaches to Chief Inspector Murphy for the services of a Wildlife Crime Officer, a full time appointment in other police forces, we are continually told that resources are very scarce, and priorities lie elsewhere.
We now know exactly where the police priorities lie. Resources were certainly not a problem at Mainshill. It makes you wonder what influence was brought to bear, for such a sizeable sledgehammer to crack a small nut.
Yours etc.,
Kenny Sludden,
Castleview,
Colonels Entry,
Douglas.
Letter to Editor Carluke & Lanark Gazette 16/7/09
Irony of suburbanization
Dear Ed, — Immediately beneath two letters in last week's Gazette relating to the opposition to the proposed open cast coal mine at Mainshill, there appeared a photograph of the old Wilsontown ironworks.
I'm sure the irony of this juxtaposition was not lost on your readers.
Many metropolitans no longer live within urban areas, choosing instead to live in satellite communities and commute to work by car.
Others have taken advantage of technological advances to work from home.
Many and varied are the reasons why people choose this lifestyle; but one of the reasons is that they consider the rural idyll to be more pleasant than city life.
However, a problem with the creeping suburbanisation of the countryside (apart from the environmental impact of comparatively large-scale housing development, increased traffic and waste, the' pressure on local services, etc.) is that it is inimicable to many of our traditional rural industries, such as mining and quarrying; industries which, side by side with agriculture, have over the centuries shaped the landscape that suburbanites and tourists find so 'unspoilt', and which sustained living, working communities.
These industries are incomparable with the rural idyll to which the modern country-dweller aspires.
I find it ironic that while throughout Clydesdale we rightly celebrate our industrial heritage and strong communities that grew up around its pits and mills and refineries, we at the same time oppose almost every attempt to perpetuate that heritage except through the hyper-reality of a visitor centre.
Imagine the outrage if the Wilson brothers applied for planning permission for their ironworks today, or David Dale for his mills below the Falls of Clyde?
Suburbanites from all over the country would be chaining themselves to trees.
Yours etc.,
Andrew McCallum,
14 Boghall Park,
Biggar.
Letter to Editor Carluke & Lanark Gazette 16/7/09
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