Thanks, Big Issue. Loved reading about all the fantastic Changemakers making such a positive difference. In the dark times it is important to have hope and to know there are beneficial things that we can do. From a personal POV, thank you for raising trans voices at a time when trans people are often sidelined.
Mel Lane
Seen the light
I’ve never written in before but wanted to share as this has been on my mind: I’m still thinking about John’s thoughtful column from a few issues ago about immigration and the lessons of history.
My mother came to this country as a refugee decades ago – a total Anglophile in search of a new home. Her story is so like many others who come to the UK as immigrants: rife with struggle.
Starting a new life, she picked up odd jobs in restaurants and the service industry, where her many degrees and decorated career in law and security counted for nothing in 1980s Britain. Everyone needs to start from somewhere, and everyone deserves a place to call home.
That article is now pinned to the inside of my wardrobe as a reminder that there is light against bigotry in the world. I read Big Issue whenever I can get hold of a copy, and always make sure to pass one along to friends who haven’t yet had the good fortune to come across it.
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Thanks for all your excellent work. Hats off.
Jess, Glasgow
Birds of a feather
I share in John Bird’s admiration for William Beveridge.
He was able to see the very complicated causes of human misery outlined in his 1942 report but, most importantly, able to summarise these in simple and pithy descriptions.
He described “Five Evil Giants”: Disease, Ignorance (poor education), Squalor (poor housing), Idleness (unemployment) and Want (poverty).
His brilliance was in recognising – as John Bird does – that these are all interrelated and cumulative. They are equally relevant today, but unfortunately the current Labour government does not have an overall strategy to tackle them or present its ideas in a way that grabs people’s imaginations, unlike The Beveridge Report.
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Belated birthday greetings to John Bird.
Andy Watters
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Social ladder
Your advertorial on the “stigma” of social housing shows how our attitudes have changed over the years. I spent my teenage years in the 1950s living on the outskirts of a large council estate in Leicester. Many of my friends and sporting activity associates lived on the estate and in no way were considered inferior.
Later in life I lived and worked in Switzerland and Germany where the majority of city dwellers lived in apartments where the rents were strictly controlled. Perhaps our attitude stems from our so-called class system.
Jim Bentham
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Reading Issue 1704 regarding the celebration of 30 years of Trainspotting made me realise that my Morris dancing side, New Moon Morris, had unwittingly taken part, recreating Mark Blamire’s famous film poster (above) to advertise a zine called Caper, where all proceeds go to charity. (I’m #5.) Trainspotting is still one of my favourite films so I’m glad that I was able to show my appreciation and join the ranks of creatives remembering the huge hit that it was and still is.
Victoria Swanwick
None so blind
I regularly buy the Big Issue from Ali at my local Tesco. He is a lovely gentle friendly guy who always has a smile. The other day there was the usual foul weather and Ali was not in his usual spot. I did my shopping and, as I came out, Ali was in the foyer sheltering from the rain and cold. I had missed him on the way in.
I greeted him and bought my magazine, but I could see that he was upset. He told me that I was the first person to buy a magazine that day. I was so touched that I almost cried myself. How can we be so busy not to see those around us in need? Thank you, Big Issue.
Barbara Jackson
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Squat do you know?
Thank you for including the article on St Agnes Place. I live just around the corner, have done so for just over a year, and I thought the newish high-end development on the site looked incongruous. I’ve pre-ordered the photo book and look forward to learning more about this very local piece of history!
David Battersby
My word!
I’ve recently discovered the Big Issue cryptic crossword. It’s fantastic and I’ve ignored it for years. I never had any luck with them however these are just the right mix of challenge and doable. Do you have a Big Issue book of cryptic crosswords please?
I’d certainly buy one!
Alison Price
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