Madam, – I recently read with intrigue at the current financial support being provided by the council to Horsecross for the Perth Theatre and Concert Hall (The Courier, October 16).
This gave me great concern as both venues are favourites to visit. However these visits are few and far between now.
The concert hall is acoustically one of the best we have been in. Both Russell Watson and Steve Howe commented on the quality of the acoustics.
However, our visits have decreased over the years due to the programming and shows being put on.
When the venue opened, we would easily be there 10 times a year, This year we will be lucky to be there three times.
The shows are increasingly having a classical focus which is fine as we enjoy these as well.
However, looking through the latest brochure there was little variation in the shows being put on.
We are therefore looking at other venues to enjoy live arts.
One venue is Inchyra Arts Club, where we will be five times this year.
My feeling is that the shows need to have wider appeal and, to be honest, move away from appearing to be a classical club to a community concert venue putting on a variety of shows.
When more popular shows are put on they sell out in astonishing time. Gary Barlow and Lewis Capaldi are examples of great programming. More comedians, light theatre, local band showcase evenings.
The policy of not having an act back within 18 months must be addressed as some potential sell-out shows are not being booked. The audience experience at the concert needs improving and the issue we notice most is the queues at the bar at the interval.
Someone needs to look at getting a faster flow.
I assume this is an excellent revenue source for Horsecross, so the quicker the audience is processed the more revenue can be collected.
Having the bar closed during the main act is excellent in stopping the continual disruption during the show. We love the venues, but…
Alex Ireland,
Carse of Gowrie.
Clear and unambiguous
Madam, – Stuart Neill repeats Exxon’s claim that they have received “no formal request” for “monetary compensation” (Letters, The Courier, October 15).
Yet Joe Purves as well as three other individuals to my knowledge have approached Exxon for compensation.
These requests may not be “formal” in the American sense of using a lawyer and they may not have named a precise monetary figure, but they were clear and unambiguous in requesting compensation for extreme light and noise pollution which prevented sleep and affected health.
This claim was also recognised by Fife Council when it passed a motion in June to seek compensation from the Mossmorran operators and Exxon stated they were open to discussions.
This statement looks like bad faith when set against Mr Neil’s attempt to smear and bully Mr Purves and others who dare to contradict Exxon’s careful PR.
He also repeats the lie that the Mossmorran Action Group is calling for the plant’s closure. We have never done so.
What we are calling for is an independent expert study into the environmental, social and health impacts of the plant, as supported by Fife Council and a cross-party group of MSPs at Holyrood. Why isn’t Exxon supporting that? Why is Exxon still refusing to attend an open public meeting with regulators and politicians to address issues at the plant? The shocking news last week of, in HSE’s words, “explosions” caused by “catastrophic breakdowns” of two boilers only underlines the danger when a company is bent on avoiding transparency and accountability about its operations.
Using a newspaper letters’ column to pick on an individual with a legitimate claim for compensation is a pathetic deflection.
James Glen,
Chair of Mossmorran Action Group,
Dreel House,
Pittenweem.
No practical drugs proposals
Madam, – Amid all the furore about legalising drugs, I see no practical proposals as to how this is to be done.
Will cocaine and heroin be sold in the supermarkets or is it just cannabis which is to be legalised?
Where will these drugs come from? Will the present drug cartels become respectable international wholesalers and our present pushers become entrepreneurs?
Most important of all, how will legalisation prevent a new generation of youngsters from becoming addicts, given that most addicts are introduced to drugs between the ages of 16 and 23, a time when impressionable young people are exposed to images of pop stars and other cultural icons falling about smashed out of their skulls, some of them later to be hailed as worthy of nothing short of canonisation when they fatally overdose?
It’s time for some concrete proposals from the various forums considering the matter.
Will any members of these bodies who themselves use drugs be honest enough to put their hands up? No.
Incidentally, prohibition does measurably work. In America, despite not all states enforcing it and the porous border with Canada, during the Prohibition Era hospital admissions for alcohol-related diseases fell significantly.
George Dobbie,
51 Airlie Street,
Alyth.
Brexit decision was flawed
Madam, – The Brexit indecision and confusion is continuing.
There are several issues that have not been addressed.
The original referendum ultimatum was flawed, there should have been three choices, stay, leave, or stay and change/improve.
However there was not and we now find ourselves in the middle of a mess that does not seem to be getting any clearer.
What seems to be missing from the conversations is that this mess has been caused not only by the UK but also by the EU!
There should be a mechanism in place for countries that want to leave – this is a failing of the whole EU (including the UK).
I voted to leave, but what I really wanted was change.
It is clear to me now that the alternatives are not good.
One of the few things that has become clear is that we can’t jump into bed with the US.
They have shown their true colours over the past few months, the latest being their arrogant and untouchable attitude to diplomatic immunity. The special relationship is only there when they need it.
The EU is a better choice than the US.
I don’t think even the politicians even understood the implications previously.
In a way I’m lucky, I live in Scotland.
We may get another chance!
Cameron Kettles,
47 Panmure Street,
Broughty Ferry.
St Andrews bad for generations
Madam, – How sad to see the application for a new care home to replace the ageing Gibson House has been refused yet again.
Having taken seven years of very public wrangling to get the plans for the much needed new school off the ground, it would appear that St Andrews is not the best place to be young or elderly!
J Wood,
Eden Park,
Cupar.
