Our communities have risen to the challenges we face
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COLUMN: The Way I See It by Richard Gale
As we approach the Highland Council elections which take place every five years, I think I can safely say that I have never known a period like it in my lifetime.
We have been through forest fires and a prolonged pandemic that has left an impact on all of us. Mental health issues have increased to previously unknown levels with loneliness across all age groups a major concern.
The one thing that has shone brightly throughout all this is the response of the people across the Highlands. Every one of our communities across East Sutherland and Edderton have stepped up and provided support to those in need.
Resilience groups have provided food and financial support and even made short visits to reduce feelings of loneliness. All done in a sensitive and confidential manner.
I have to praise Highland Council staff who stepped up to the mark and carried on delivering services in new and innovative ways, looking for solutions to problems such as how to continue to educate our children in isolation. Or how to ensure that the bins are lifted and still observe social distancing and the safety of staff. The list of good work that was done is endless.
From my perspective it has been an honour and a privilege to have represented this ward over this period and to provide what support I could.
Now, just as we see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel with restrictions easing, the economy starting to recover, and life looking as if it might become more normal, we are hit with a war in Europe.
The evil machinations of Putin have brought new meaning to Robbie Burns’ words about Man’s Inhumanity to Man.
While it is impossible to compare the difficulties that we have faced with those of Ukraine, I can see parallels and just as our communities rose to the challenge of the pandemic, the people of Ukraine are rising to face the unthinkable and to combat the might of the Russian war machine.
To see the determination of this very proud and independent nation to fight for their country, their freedom and for democracy is truly humbling.
Now we in the UK need to do our bit to support the hundreds of thousands of women and children who through no fault of their own have had to flee from their homes and seek refuge in other sovereign states such as Poland, Moldova, and Hungary.
At the last meeting of the full council I and other councillors called upon the UK Government to relax the visa controls and allow Ukrainian refugees to come to the UK. These people need our help, and I am sure that we in the Highlands will be more than happy to accommodate as many as we can, as will other local authorities across the country.
So, while we have gone through a very tough period and we, and particularly the people of Ukraine, are facing an uncertain future, the one overriding positive is the inherent goodness of ordinary people wherever they may be and their ability to face up to adversity and defeat the odds in support of their fellow human beings.
We must always remember that there is more good than evil in the world and I believe that because of that, good people will always prevail.
Councillor Richard Gale, Golspie, represents the East Sutherland and Edderton ward.
