SIR, I read with interest the article 'Poverty in Peebles is 'unacceptable’ in last week’s Peeblesshire News, but so is begging.

Allow me then to add my thoughts on behalf of Mr Tyszko. That 'course of action’ Mr Toolis referred to in his letter is why Romanian gypsies are here in this country, because their own have rejected them. We all know that poverty exists in Scotland sir, no one’s denying that, but do we see beggars from the Peebles population? No.

Moreover, it isn’t the beggar who is unacceptable; it’s the immense begging phenomenon that has become in these times. Mr Toolis, no one is vilifying the poor. Edinburgh and worse still London for example are inundated with beggars which has caused even the local pleading contingents there to complain that their takings have diminished as a result.

I have recently found from speaking with street musicians in Peebles that a recent territorial dispute in the form of a threat irritated friction between a travelling busker and a Big Issue vendor at the same begging patch and that is what is unacceptable.

If these people wish to beg here then let them hold their peace or else move on. But another problem is that less people may be buying the Big Issue now for it’s just too expensive. I remember when it was just £1, then when it was £1.50, and that meant that the vendor would often pocket the difference and keep the change. But £2.50 makes that difference a potential deficit and much less likely. If this beggar in question can afford to bus it to Peebles then perhaps it’s because this is rich picking ground for them and Edinburgh has had the purse strings strangled out of it by everything greedy.

Personally I don’t like it to see begging here one bit, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t be compassionate and that doesn’t mean we can’t exercise our choice to show other cause for concern either where it may be relevant.

One beggar fair enough, but what when two and then three etc. Once when I was living in London I met a woman with children there, I gave her money and she relentlessly followed me, beseeching that I hand over a fiver I happened to be holding. What when that starts happening here?

If I don’t give money to certain beggars anymore, it’s not because I’m cruel or biased, I’m just not encouraging it, anymore and I just can’t afford to. I suggest that if some people feel the same way, which undoubtedly will be the case, don’t give money; give alms instead, in say the form of food and clothing. That’s not judgemental; it’s economical, compassionate and kind. Live and let live.

I am, etc.

Name supplied Peebles