Thousands of people are still clearing up the damage caused by Storm Boelo, and as they do, gratitude is being directed toward the hardworking men and women who put themselves at risk to help the public through the tempest.
Power workers, police, firefighters and ambulance crews have all been working round the clock to keep people safe. Staff at care homes in flood-hit areas have also gone above and beyond to ensure residents are looked after.
Mountain Rescue Teams Praised
Among the other unsung heroes of the freak weather event are the mountain rescue teams. In Galloway, a team endured what they called a “brutal” rescue as they set off in the worst possible conditions to help a runner with a broken leg on the hills.
What is surprising is that the runner was taking part in an organised hill race at the time. Organisers have since faced criticism that the two-day Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) event went ahead despite repeated weather warnings.
Race Decision Called Into Question
Some locals have called the decision to press on despite the coming storm “insane”. The view is that individuals and race organisers have to take some responsibility for their actions. Heading off into the hills for a race when the worst storm of the year is closing in is not only highly risky but extremely selfish.
If anything goes wrong, the mountain rescue teams have to step in, putting themselves in danger in the process. Mountain rescuers are mostly volunteers and take part in outdoor activities themselves. They do not want restrictions put on people’s access to the hills in bad conditions.
However, to put on a mountain race during an amber “threat to life” weather warning is described as absolute folly. The article suggests a hefty donation should be made to the Galloway Mountain Rescue team by those who took this decision.
VAT Cut Urged for Hospitality
Chancellor John Healey will be receiving pleading missives from every sector of the UK economy as he prepares for his budget. With public finances looking fragile and the cost of living crisis biting hard, he faces some tough choices.
Amid all the sound and fury, the hope is that he takes the time to consider the plight of the hospitality industry. Pubs and restaurants contribute billions of pounds to the Scottish economy but have been on their knees since covid. Changing consumer habits, tight household budgets and a lack of government support mean dozens of closures a week.
The destruction of the “night-time economy” would see thousands of jobs disappear. It would also cause untold damage to the social and cultural fabric if towns and cities became deserted at night. The SNP are calling for Healey to give pubs and restaurants a break by reducing VAT bills. That would be a sensible move, and if the Chancellor does his bit to save pubs, the article suggests many would raise a toast to that.
