In the light of Saturday’s events, is it too much to ask that Police Scotland carry out the responsibilities that we pay them to execute, while the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church find some unity in a proclaimed voce of condemnation?
James F Campbell, Campbeltown.
• MATTHEW Lindsay pens an excellent piece on the rise of the hooligans (“Cocaine-fuelled Celtic and Rangers ultras are now a national disgrace”, heraldscotland, December 16).
I believe it’s time for the SPFL/SFA to stop passing the buck and issue competition bans or points deductions. Maybe then the real fans will turn on these hooligans and rid football of this malaise.
Roy Gardiner, Kilmarnock.
• I READ with concern your article regarding Old Firm Ultras and their unacceptable behaviour. I wrote to these columns some time ago pointing out that people I know who support both sides of the Old Firm, and whose opinions I trust, have told me that, at away matches, cocaine is readily available and sold in the toilets and that I considered that this may have a lot do with away fan behaviour. You chose not to print my letter. However, you now seem to agree with the drugs issue. My question is that, if it is common knowledge, why has there not been police action to deal with the drugs issue?
Duncan Sooman, Milngavie.
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Proper respect
I’VE never liked the modern custom of having a round of applause at football matches when a player has passed away.
It was a pleasant change to see the players and spectators observe a minute’s silence for the late Alex Edwards before the start of the Hibs v Ross County match last weekend.
It’s far more respectful of the deceased and their family.
John F Crawford, Preston.
Progress on homelessness
I WAS pleased to read your report re Glasgow City Council (“Plan to use empty city buildings in homes initiative”, The Herald, December 16). It’s heart-breaking to go through the city centre in the early morning, just before 7am, as I do frequently, and see people sleeping in doorways on Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street – and goodness knows how many more there hidden away in places.
Rather than keeping buildings empty – the notable ones are the new Virgin Hotel on Clyde Street and the long-empty British Home Stores on Sauchiehall Street, but there are many others, some of which are allowed to fall into decay, or “go on fire during a downpour” as one of my friends said – the city council should certainly be charging full business rates on them and have the power to take over these buildings where deemed suitable to adapt as either permanent or temporary housing.
Moreover, the city council could certainly help by refusing to grant short-term lets in properties that have a common shared entry, ie those in a close. Many of these become “party flats” and certainly there is sufficient real and anecdotal evidence that short-term let users fail to close the common entry door, “buzz in” anyone who presses the door entry button, allowing “undesirables” in. Rather than making money for unscrupulous property owners and managers many of these properties could be used to house people in need of a home rather than short-term visitors to the city; that’s what hotels are for.
Patricia Fort, Glasgow.
Not such a bad year after all
AS another year stumbles to a close, it has been one dominated by what appears to be one of relentless bleakness on a global stage, with conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as a continuing cost of living crisis on our own shores.
However, there have been many positives to come out of 2024, which have maybe not grabbed the headlines and gained the profile merited.
New medical breakthroughs included the delivery of a new era of schizophrenia treatment, with the approval of the drug KarXT, and groundbreaking medical trials, like the world’s first mRNA lung cancer vaccine, offered a glimpse into a healthier future.
In the UK, renewable power overtook fossil fuel generation for the first time, and Norway became the first country in the world where electric cars outnumbered petrol cars.
Greece legalised same-sex marriage and adoption, becoming the first Orthodox Christian Country to do so, and 642 million people voted in India’s general election, setting the record for the world’s largest election.
Meanwhile, the Paris Summer Olympics dazzled the world with extraordinary athletic performances, and the San Marino football team, who had previously never won a competitive match, won not one, but two.
In what may appear to a doom-laden year, let us spare a few moments to reflect on the many positives.
Alex Orr, Edinburgh.
Where next for Prince Andrew?
DENNIS Forbes Grattan’s idea to banish Prince Andrew (Letters, December 16) is fairly sound. The only problem is, with his dubious background, who would take him?
Probably his best bet would be to try Vladimir Putin, who it seems, is not too fussy.
David Hay, Minard.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York (Image: PA)
Brief encounter
THE humorous note written by the late Queen after one of her dogs had eaten a picture (“Late Queen’s ‘print eaten by puppies’ note to photographer sells at auction”, The Herald, December 16) resonates with me.
Many years ago, after our dog ate a letter from my solicitor, I had to ask him for a copy.This duly arrived in a large envelope, a covering letter explaining that a supply of paper was enclosed for the dog.
Who said that solicitors do not have a sense of humour?
David Miller, Milngavie.