Letter by Carl Douglas - May 06 2005 - www.carldouglas.co.uk
Congratulations to George Parsonage
I've had the honour of knowing George for over 30 years.
I know George's pride in his Humane Society work. I've know him as a truly fine sculler.
I salute his courage & achievements. And I admire him for the mad Scot that he has always been.
George is as you find him, without airs or graces but solidly decent to the core.
One of the finest rowers to come out of Glasgow or Scotland.
George knows the risks he takes in his Humane Society work & accepts personal responsibility for what he does.
He is good at his job & survives not by box-ticking risk assessments but because he is careful, thoughtful & was well-trained by his dad.
He also does his best to inculcate in others a similarly responsible attitude to the use of the water for, having fished so many sad cases out of the Clyde, he knows better than others the human cost of fooling with water.
It is to be regretted that, sometimes, his counsels are less well appreciated as they should be by rowers younger & less wise than himself.
I would consider that funding the Humane Society & George's efforts is an outstandingly effective use of public funds.
Thus I deprecate the indication that the Health & Safety net might curtail or stop George's work.
Which, could these less expert risk assessors please tell us, would be the greater loss to society:
a) that a significant number of foolish or unlucky people may die because George's expertise was withheld by people who fabricate concerns for his safety but will never posses a fraction of his skills & understanding,
or
b) that even George's skill may one day let him down? I would bet on George, if supported & allowed to continue as he has done, finishing his work full of years and contentment with his young family.
And I should imagine the cost of any alternative service would well exceed the costs of funding the Humane Society, yet fall significantly short of George's level of achievement in rescue & safety education.
If George wants to go on with his & his dad's life's work, then for as long as he feels able he should receive the help & support of a grateful city. He deserves the honour given him.
But giving him that honour should not be used to officially sanitise the untimely termination of his good work.
Carl
Carl Douglas Racing Shells - Fine Small-Boats/AeRoWing low-drag Riggers/Advanced Accessories
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