- your views

Wildlife Haven Lagoons and Nature reserve in Musselburgh

Nature reserve no place for racing circuit

I read with dismay and some anger your article about the proposed plans to replace the Wildlife Haven Lagoons and Nature reserve in Musselburgh with the exact opposite of what it is and meant to be, (News, January 7).

Today, a quiet place where many endangered birds, insects and mammals live in a great and improving habitat, a place for peace for many residents and visitors for recreation, to walk, exercise their dogs and enjoy photographing and watching these same creatures.

To be replaced by tarmac and concrete, a noisy, smelly, polluting racing circuit. F1, really?

Does the proposer realise the chances of F1 coming to Musselburgh are as rare as hen’s teeth?

In the proposer’s view he thinks it a scandal that someone (he) isn’t making money out of the site.

In these pandemic days, has Mr Jamieson not realised a full and happy life doesn’t depend on money-making schemes doomed to failure before they leave the drawing board?

But reconnecting with nature and green spaces is a life saver for many and assists with our mental health in coping with the demands of modern society.

I hope and trust this insensitive and unwanted scheme is swiftly ditched by East Lothian Council and Mr Jamieson can continue his work in producing Hydrogen energy, a worthwhile venture, which has no connection with the Nature Reserve.

It’s clear from his dismissive words, “butter-flies and seagulls” he has no interest or knowledge whatsoever in the flora and fauna which live there.

Anne Meikle, Leith.

Murray’s insults not winning him votes

Does Ian Murray under-stand that half of the SNP voters he is insulting by equating them with unthinking Trump supporters (News, January 7) are former Labour voters who disagree with his anti-democratic policy to deny Scotland a choice on our own future?

The first Scottish politician to court Donald Trump was Labour First Minister Jack McConnell, now sitting in the undemo-cratic House of Lords, and it was Sir Keir Starmer who copied Boris Johnson by surrounding himself with a massive Union Jack when addressing a TV audience on Covid restrictions. Under Starmer, Labour has become another Brexit supporting party.

Regarding vaccine rollout timescales, this depends on supplies being available and similar problems exist in Labour-run Wales where the death rate among care home residents is up more than 40 per cent on last year.

Thanks to our excellent NHS, and Nicola Sturgeon’s leadership, Scotland is tackling Covid much better than in England or Wales, but it is Boris Johnson who is ultimately responsible for the UK now having the highest rate of Covid cases in the world.

Fraser Grant, Warrender Park Road, Edinburgh.

Can you help NSPCC Scotland raise funds?

The New Year is usually a time for a fresh start – making resolutions, getting fit, setting new challengess. But with the continuing uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it seems harder to commit to making a change. With restrictions ongoing, it’s becoming even more important for us to find new and innovative ways to raise vital funds for NSPCC Scotland to help children at risk of abuse and neglect.

To find out more or to request your fundraising pack, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/events-fundraising/new-year-challenge or email [email protected],uk

Jen Lindsay, Community Fundraising Manager NSPCC