Sir, I refer to the letter from John Stenhouse (Courier July 2) in which he attempts to resort to personal attacks without apparently wishing to understand the underlying point.
Deprived areas, particularly in inner-city, are not a phenomenon unique to Scotland. They are to be found all over the world and are a product of social failure by politicians and educationalists who are unable to produce the means to inspire the inhabitants of such areas to a better quality of life. Simply prolonging and enlarging welfare dependency is not the answer.
The answer is for political vision to entice regional investment which will create the jobs, to improve the incomes, aspirations and lives of low-earning families as well as the environments in which they live.
The point of my recent letters was to cast doubt on the statistics being presented that portray a Scotland that is slowly starving.
It is simply not the case.
I can inform Mr Stenhouse that I know West Fife particularly well and in my younger days as a hard-up student, spent many Friday and Saturday nights in Miners’ Welfare Clubs and Working Men’s Clubs, playing guitar to earn the money to pay for life’s necessities while all around me, substantial quantities of alcohol were being consumed nightly by people who were supposedly much poorer than I.
My recommendation to Mr Stenhouse therefore is, instead of attacking myself, he would be better disposed to vote for regional politicians who have a real vision for their communities and not simply those politicians who are comfortable to continue the old failed socialist policies which have been a huge disservice to Scotland for the past 30 or more years.
Derek Farmer, Knightsward Farm, Anstruther
Hargreaves aims to see mining grow
Sir, Re the Countdown on major Fife coal mine article published in The Courier on July 17.
Hargreaves Surface Mining Ltd would like to clarify some of the points published in the above article and ensure our employees, stakeholders, suppliers and other interested parties in the area that we have long-term plans for Fife and will be building our business in the region.
To avoid any further confusion, Hargreaves Surface Mining Ltd is working on a number of projects and developments throughout Fife and aims to promote them with all relevant stakeholders in the future, with the intention of investing in a sustainable business within the area.
Fife is important for the growth for our business and we have plans to continue investing in the area, especially with a major customer, Longannet, situated nearby.
The region has been associated with coal production for decades and we want to see that continuing for many years to come.
Derek Christie, Communications Manager, Hargreaves Surface Mining Ltd, Douglas Water, Lanarkshire
T in the Park generation are saying No
Sir, The navet of Jennifer Dempsie knows no bounds in her ridiculous piece about the strength of the Yes campaign at T in the Park. (Courier July 17).
Those attending T in the Park are of the demographic overwhelmingly rejecting independence and are showing support in schools, colleges and universities throughout Scotland for the Union and a far brighter future than that offered by independence.
If we must have propaganda then let’s have honest propaganda not a feature of the Yes campaign, it must be said.
Did it ever occur to her that the Yes flags were there because Nat activists were handing them out free to all and sundry.
They were quite good at keeping the rain off, however definitely a more suitable use for a Yes flag.
Ian Campbell, West Park, Stanley, Perth
Blame strikers for US steel on Forth Bridge
Sir, Dave Gordon (Letters July 15) laments the use of Chinese steel in the new Forth Crossing and suggests this is because Westminster destroyed the UK’s own steel making industry.
He should note that the present road bridge is made from American steel, the reason being that the UK steel industry had such an appalling strike record at the time the contractors could not rely on it for continuity of supply, so chose America instead.
There is nearly always a flaw in these “blame Westminster” rants.
Malcolm Parkin, Gamekeeper’s Road, Kinnesswood, Kinross
Ask questions on the need for food banks
Sir, In response to Fraser Macpherson, I stand by what I said about food banks, that we should not have to resort to this level in 21st Century Britain.
I don’t have an issue with the staff or volunteers who work in the food bank but I do with people who should be asking questions at the highest possible level to bring about an end to the circumstances which brought them about in the first place.
This is where your support would be better placed and not in grabbing photo opportunities.
Colin Denovan, Pitairlie Road, Dundee