Inverness city ‘disheartening’; plus new city cafe; post office fears and inspirational cancer story
City needs a major tidy up
I would like the powers that be at the Highland Council, whoever they may be, to take a long, hard look at their priorities. Get out of their cosy offices and take a walk around our city and see at first hand the state things are in.
Rusting rails along the riverside, goodness knows when they were last painted; rubbish and litter everywhere; unkempt, overgrown flower beds and shrubbery - Millburn Road in particular; filthy road signs; road markings that are needing redone.
I do a lot of walking and I see this on a regular basis.
It’s very disheartening.
These basics are so important, and a priority for our citizens and visitors to the capital of the Highlands.
First impressions are so important.
We should be proud of our city.
Get back to basics and stop wasting money on unnecessary projects which we don’t want or need.
I could go on; the list is never-ending - but I think you’ll get the gist!
Moira Whyte
Smithton
Thanks to all who cared for friend
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt praise and appreciation for the exceptional care provided to my friend, Margaret Gisbey, by the staff at Raigmore Hospital, initially in the Emergency Department, and specifically in Ward 7A, prior to her passing earlier this year.
We are truly privileged to live in a country where healthcare standards are so high.
I would also like to extend my gratitude to the wonderful staff at Kingsmills Care Home and Highland Hospice, where compassion and kindness were shown so abundantly.
Additionally, I want to thank the dedicated and caring staff from William T. Fraser and Sons for their helpful support throughout the last duties of care.
Lastly, I want to recognise the dedicated carers from Fraser Care and the Macmillan nurses who provided invaluable aid to Margaret in her home during her final months.
Thank you to all those who played a role in her care. Your efforts made a significant difference in her life and mine, as her closest friend.
Helen Munro
Balloch
Duo revamp and rebrand cafe
Roots Cafe is the brainchild of River Elliott and Rebecca MacKintosh who were both former staff at Velocity Cafe on Crown Avenue. When Velocity suddenly went into liquidation in November last year, the pair decided to open their own venture in the same premises.
“We had fab lunch and great service on Saturday. So pleased to see the place open again. Well done and good luck!” - Lorraine McSween
“It's absolutely brilliant what you have done over the last couple of months, congratulations to you both” - Robert David Whytock
“We really enjoyed our visit to Roots recently. Delicious food, great menu and excellent service. Hope to return on our next visit to Inverness.” - Colin Hancock
City post office future in doubt
The future of Inverness’s city centre Post Office is up in the air after the company announced that all of its remaining “directly managed branches” will be franchised out - and could even move to new sites.
“We need a central post office, some people don't drive, are elderly or disabled etc and don't have the means to go anywhere else. Not to mention the people who could lose their jobs.” - Suz Laverock
“Need this post office. Local buses stop there or near there. Time for our MSPs, MP and local councillors to fight for this to be retained. Where will the infirm go? Take two buses to Inshes and then a 10 minute walk for them.” - Phyllis MacRae
“Nowhere left to return parcels and the elderly need this post office as all the other local ones are already closed.” - Roseann Macleod
Broadcaster wants to see society normalise post-surgery bodies
Highland podcaster Pennie Latin-Stuart shared her experience of coming through a mastectomy, having being diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2020. She began writing about her experience daily and has since launched a podcast, LUMP.
“Having battled triple negative breast cancer recently and just finished 16 months of treatment I've recently come across Pennie’s podcast and I've laughed AND cried listening to her document her journey. I had a partial mastectomy which has left me scarred and I can understand when she says that looking in the mirror is a constant reminder of what we've been through. Having met many women over the last year who've all endured breast cancer there is a mix of those with double mastectomy, single mastectomy and partial mastectomy and the single underlining factor is we have made it! With or without breasts. Thanks for raising awareness Pennie and normalising life having undergone surgery.” - Emma Ross
“I had a mastectomy 15 years ago a lot has changed since then but very little in the fashion world especially when it comes to nice underwear and swimwear. It would be nice to have a selection of various colours and styles in shops as we pay shocking prices online.” - Ann Budding
“I had a full mastectomy myself some years ago, and yes your body doesn't look like it did - but wear it as a badge of honour - if the scar wasn't there then maybe I wouldn't be either.” - Frances Forsyth
“There are so many people who have gone through surgery, cancer, trauma, who have different bodies, they are all beautiful but it is very rarely talked about and even more rarely portrayed. Well done to Pennie for bringing it to the public eye.” - Estelle Star Jewellery
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