East Lothian Courier letters: April 25, 2024

Cadets are architects of tomorrow

Marching through the historic streets of Musselburgh, led by the resounding notes of The HM Royal Marines Band Scotland, nearly 200 young people from the cadet forces in Musselburgh and further afield came together to mark the 70th anniversary of the Musselburgh Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets. It was a momentous occasion, one that Musselburgh should be proud of.

But this parade was more than just a spectacular display of precision and pride. It was a living testament to the transformative power of youth organisations. In a world where noise and negativity often drown out hope, let us pause to celebrate the opportunities available to our young generation.

The celebration was a collaborative effort, supported not only by the Musselburgh Air Cadet Corps but also by the East Lothian Police Scotland Youth Volunteers.

These organisations serve as gateways to growth, offering pathways to advancement and life-enriching experiences for young people.

In the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the change that occurs in the hearts of our young cadets. They learn teamwork, embrace leadership, and earn qualifications that open doors. From the rolling hills of Scotland to bustling cities across the UK, they travel to compete, train and broaden their horizons.

Quiet and reserved individuals blossom into confident young men and women, embodying the spirit of their community and their generation. Their journey is a beacon of hope, a reminder that resilience and determination can shape destinies.

Let us congratulate Commanding Officer Chris Gay and the dedicated team of volunteer leaders and parents. Amidst their busy lives, they selflessly create opportunities for our youth.

The Musselburgh Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets have not only orchestrated community events but have also garnered recognition through local, regional and national awards. Their trajectory is one of strength and we eagerly anticipate even greater celebrations.

To the young cadets: you are the architects of tomorrow, the dreamers who will build bridges, sail uncharted seas and inspire generations yet unborn. May your journey be filled with courage, camaraderie and countless moments of pride. Well done to all.

Iain Clark

Deputy Lieutenant for East Lothian

Guide dog pups

Since I retired as MSP for East Lothian, I am often asked what I do with my time.

One thing I am doing is much more as a volunteer puppy raiser for guide dogs. That is something my wife Gil has done for many years, and now I can help much more than I could when I was working.

Last week, we received the news that the very first pup we trained, Quigley, had also retired, after guiding a visually impaired man for nearly seven years. I am still enormously proud of the small part I played in Quigley’s training and the service he has given Alan, his owner.

For Alan, though, the wait could be years for another life-changing dog to arrive. By the time Alan’s next dog is found, his professional and social life will have suffered. Puppy raisers retire, too, and there are simply not enough of them to train the puppies needed to meet the demand for guide dogs. East Lothian has a proud record in puppy raising but our numbers are currently very low.

We are often asked how we can give our puppies up after a year but the truth is that the “loss” to us of the puppy we have raised is nothing compared to Alan’s loss of the guide dog that pup became, and I can’t imagine how that must feel.

Every puppy we raise is replaced almost immediately by another potential life-changer. The new pup is always as lovable, infuriating, smart and unique as the last one, and the next one. Our current puppy is our eighth, and each new arrival helps with the sadness of the last one moving on.

There are many ways to support guide dogs. Sponsoring a pup, fundraising, donating, even short-term boarding are all valuable contributions. Above all, though, we need more puppy raisers.

As a puppy raiser, our life has been changed by guide dogs too. We have made new friends, visited new places for puppy training, learned skills and patience we didn’t know we had, and benefited from the fresh air and exercise raising a pup entails. It really is a great thing to do. Food, vet bills and boarding are all provided, the professional guidance from staff is amazing, and fellow puppy raisers are always there to help and provide moral support. Then there is the best reward of all – the pride you feel every time you know that a pup you raised has “made it” as a guide dog.

If you think puppy raising might be for you, please do contact Guide Dogs on 0345 143 0191 and talk it over with them.

Iain Gray

Gladsmuir

Drive carefully

We are a small rural community by Samuelston Bridge on the Bolton/East Saltoun road.

Today, one of our neighbour’s much-loved, beautiful white cats was killed crossing the road in front of its house. Yes, sadly these things happen, but what was doubly upsetting was that the individual involved did not stop, leaving the poor animal in the middle of the road.

As well as more cats, most of us here are dog walkers, our road is a national cycle route and it is also popular with horse riders.

All we ask is that road users exercise less speed and a greater awareness of our surroundings, which hopefully will avoid further accidents such as today’s.

Fred Chrystal

Begbie

Haddington

Happy to get fit

Next month, Bpositive Fitness Solutions, run by Bob Baillie, celebrates its 10th anniversary.

So what, I hear you ask. Well, as a 50-year-old woman who had never dreamt of attending a fitness class of any type, far less anything labelled as a bootcamp, I’ll tell you: the thought of attending a bootcamp filled me with dread and fear. I had heard horror stories of competitive bootcamps where you were shouted at, belittled and embarrassed, and I was sure this sort of fitness class was not for me. Bpositive is the exact opposite.

Bob’s classes are brilliant and I believe his achievements in supporting fitness across East Lothian should be recognised and celebrated. His Prestonpans-based weekly outdoor classes are a mix of circuits, Hiitstep, kettlebells, early-morning HIIT and running sessions. Each class is different but is also suitable for all fitness levels.

Bob makes the classes fun, everyone is made to feel really welcome, and he makes sure everyone is exercising correctly and safely. He adapts exercises to suit individual needs and fitness levels, but does this subtly and never by singling anyone out.

Above all, Bob has built a truly incredible, supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is made to feel very welcome, regardless of age, body shape or fitness level. Everyone is truly supportive of each other.

Bob has a brilliant sense of humour so makes each class fun, with his mantra of “commit, believe, achieve” running through every session – even when it is cold, dark and snowing!

I can honestly say, popping my “brave pants” on 18 months ago and attending my first session with Bpositive is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I love being part of Bob’s team. Not only am I fitter than I have ever been, I’ve also made some brilliant new friends, with whom I would otherwise never have crossed paths. Yes, I still hate burpees with a passion, but Bob makes sure I get through them with a smile on my face.

Lynsay Porteous

Tranent

Rental crisis

The SNP-Green Government is rapidly developing the reverse Midas touch.

The latest area where their actions should cause real concern is the new housing and tenants’ rights bill.

Despite East Lothian seeing a significant increase in new housing, the rental sector is in crisis, with two-bedroom starter homes now costing upwards of £1,000 per month and massive waiting lists for council and housing association properties.

These rent levels are simply unaffordable for many young people, who will find it impossible to save a deposit while shelling out so much in rent.

Following the pandemic, the imposition of a rent freeze and tougher eviction rules resulted in many landlords walking away from the sector. This meant supply drying up and then rental prices across the county going through the roof. This is simple supply-and-demand economics.

It’s clear from the data that the Scottish Government’s policy has badly backfired: tenants are facing higher-than-ever increases on the back of an exodus of local buy-to-let landlords.

But, rather than admitting that the policy has not worked, Patrick Harvie, the tenants’ rights minister, and our local MSP Paul McLennan, the housing minister, are doubling down.

The SNP Government is now proposing permanent rent controls, without putting forward evidence that rent control areas have worked in other countries.

The effects of rising costs, greater regulation and, now, new rent controls risks a further drop in private lets, which will only add to the pressure on the council and local housing associations.

The Scottish Government urgently needs a plan to build more social housing – alongside new measures to drive more investment in private renting. But it has instead announced a massive reduction in the housing budget this year.

It’s beyond belief that the SNP simply cannot see the damage they are doing to the housing and rental market in Scotland.

Bill Kane

Haddington