Dundee’s former lord provost, who has stood down after 11 years in the position, says the city is in ”great shape”.
John Letford admitted he was sad to leave the role but said ”this is the right time” as Dundee forges ahead into the future.
Full of praise for the city and its people, one of Dundee’s longest-serving lord provosts invited The Courier to the City Chambers this week as he prepared to say goodbye to his office of over a decade.
In his final interview, Mr Letford admits vacating the role has been hard to come to terms with.
”I’m sad about leaving but the time was always going to come and I think that this is the right time,” he said. ”It’s always been about the people and I’ll retain relationships with a lot of the institutions I’ve worked with, hopefully with the same enthusiasm that I have done as lord provost.
”I’m particularly sad to leave my colleagues and members of staff, who have been wonderful. Their respect and help has been phenomenal, in particular Ashley, my personal assistant, who has been with me here for 11 years.
”I look back at the support she gave me when I lost my wife Betty and she became like another daughter. It was a challenging time but she was always there to watch over me and I am very grateful for that.”
Mr Letford, who is 77, became lord provost in 2001, succeeding Helen Wright to whom he had previously been deputy. Acquiring a reputation as friendly and funny with everyone he met on civic duties, working with Dundee’s young people was a particular passion during his tenure.
”Every day brings new challenges but I particularly enjoyed working with the young people of the city,” he admits. ”They are important to this city they are our future and to be able to further their cause has been delightful.
”Dundee Youth Council has given them a formal voice and I’m sure that the city council will listen to them and take their views on board.”
Whoever follows Mr Letford will undoubtedly have some big shoes or robes to fill. Dundee is undergoing massive change, the planning of which has largely taken place over the past decade.
It’s an exciting time for the city says the former lord provost, and he stated his hope that whoever follows him in office does their bit to keep the public involved.
”To me the city is in great shape,” he continued. ”There is a great buzz around Dundee and everything that is happening to it. That’s not just the waterfront but other areas of excellence as well.
”It’s been a great joy to have been a part of it and I will be watching with interest as the city moves forward and move forward it will, there is no doubt about that.
”I hope that my successor is very respectful of Dundee. Instead of sitting behind that desk and looking out of the window, get out there and meet the people. Better still, bring them in, particularly to the Chambers.
”Historically, the Chambers has been a place that people look at but know nothing of but it is their Chambers and their city and the more they come here the better.”
So what does the future hold for Mr Letford?
Throughout his time in office he worked with numerous organisations throughout Dundee, each a labour of love for a man who refuses to slow down.
As chairman of the Whitehall Theatre Trust, much of his recent free time has involved securing its future following the venue’s financial troubles.
Asked about his plans, he added: ”The Whitehall Theatre is like a magnificent obsession with me and I hope to bring that back to its former glory. That will be a full-time job and I’ll be moving to an office there and supporting the venue coordinator with anything he needs.
”I’m also involved in the twinning association and I’m going to try to encourage the young people to join that. There are a lot of older people there and we must change that and get young people involved with our sister cities across the world.
”My generation has had its day and now it is time to stand aside and let the next generation step up to the oche, and I have no doubt that they will take this city forward. The list of other things is endless and I will give them all of the commitment that I think I have done in the past.”
Mr Letford concluded: ”It has come home to roost that I will no longer be lord provost of Dundee but I am looking forward to the future.”