Sir, – Should both secondary schools in the west of Glenrothes (February 11) be refurbished rather then merged into one unit?
I think many people in the area will be highly sceptical about Councillor Altany Craik’s view that, in certain circumstances, it would be a positive thing to have just one new school.
This is a community which has seen in the last few years the closure of Tanshall Primary School and is about to see the closure of its statutory library service at the Glenwood Centre.
Evidence suggests that, as a result, there has been an increase in class sizes in the neighbouring primary schools.
The new arrangement to run a much-reduced service at the Glenwood library, staffed by volunteers, is hardly a substitute for the professional service currently provided. The truth is that Fife Council has let this part of the town down badly.
Councillor Craik should not be so naive as to believe that there is a possibility of a new super school to cater for educational needs there.
Glenrothes High School and Glenwood High School are well respected; the latter provides an important community education facility.
They will be even more respected if the council agrees to modernise both buildings, long overdue after more than 50 years.
Any plan for a merger will be seen by the public on the one hand as a takeover by one school, and on the other, as a cost-cutting exercise by the local authority helping to tear the heart out of a once-vibrant community.
Bob Taylor.
24 Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
Time for Jim to head west
Sir, – Ted Brocklebank’s reply to Jim Crumley, who feels the need to move back to his roots in Donegal if the next independence referendum fails, is great news to most sporting estates in Scotland given all the half-truths on grouse and the “toffs” in general he has written over the last few years.
In the same issue of The Courier there was an article by the political editor on a statement by Jacqueline Minor (UK EU representative) who said if Scotland is separate from the rest of the UK, we will have a few giant steps to take before becoming a member.
We would have to get in the queue, sign up to join the euro and clear the deficit, estimated today at £15 billion.
In addition, the EU says there will be no more free-trade deals like Norway.
I would suggest Mr Crumley picks up his pen and heads for his promised land in Donegal.
George Sangster.
Woodlands,
Logie,
Montrose.
Discover paths around Newtyle
Sir, – James Carron’s Take a Hike article in your Weekend Magazine (February 4) featured one of the walks of the Newtyle Path Network. This is one of five paths which have been developed and maintained by a group of enthusiastic villagers.
The first path was officially opened by the late Sir James Cayzer on May 9 2004.
Walkers might like to know that booklets on the paths of the network are available at Newtyle Post Office.
Also available at the Post Office is a book, Newtyle Through the Ages, which explores the history of Newtyle, the church, the planning and development of the village, the Dundee to Newtyle railway and the history of local landmarks.
Iain Buick.
11 Coupar Angus Road,
Newtyle.
We must keep the lights on
Sir, – The windmill appears to be fast overtaking the thistle as Scotland’s national emblem.
While not wishing to completely discard green energy, I shudder when I see the proliferation and desecration brought by windmills throughout Scotland, destroying much of our beautiful landscape.
This will inevitably impinge upon our lucrative tourist trade.
There seems to be no pattern as to their siting and no attempt to place them in obscure areas away from the public eye
Now, some of this could be forgiven if it was established they were efficient and the providers of cheap electricity, but the opposite appears to be the case.
When the wind is still or indeed if the wind is too powerful, they remain idle and electricity is purchased from overseas with the relevant costs inevitably passed to the consumer.
We have no serious back up with coal-fired and nuclear stations closing.
We are fortunate that this winter so far has been clement. Severe weather could have caused power cuts to industry and households.
Is there any constructive thought being put into the planning for alternatives, both for the good of the nation and our once much-envied countryside?
David L Thomson.
24 Laurence Park,
Kinglassie.
Cheerleader of the Left?
Sir, – If the Labour Party wants a new leader, could I suggest the BBC.
Malcolm Parkin.
Gamekeepers Road,
Kinnesswood,
Kinross.
EU facing long-term decline
Sir, – A report from Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) forecasts that Britain will grow faster than any other major advanced economy over the next three decades.
The share of working-age Britons is forecast to be higher over the coming decades than most other G7 economies according to the United Nations.
PwC expects the global economy to double in size within 25 years, with the expansion being driven by emerging markets such as Brazil, China, India, Mexico and Russia.
The EU’s share of the world economy is forecast to drop from 15% to 9% by 2050. PwC says while the precise timing of events cannot be certain, the general direction of change is clear.
Against this scenario it beggars belief that the SNP would pursue its ideological fixation upon independence and seek to leave the UK to whom Scotland currently exports four times as much as it does to Europe and try to join the EU whose structure and economy seem destined to deteriorate and fall behind the rest of the developed world.
Donald Lewis.
Pine Cottage,
Beech Hill,
Gifford.
SNP should pay for poll
Sir, – The SNP threatens another referendum. Will the SNP campaign on its own record?
The Sutton Trust reveals bright Scottish pupils are lagging behind bright English pupils in science by a whole year.
That has happened on the SNP’s watch and should figure prominently in any electoral campaign.
As a taxpayer I would like to know how I can ensure my taxes will not be used to pay for the SNP’s referendum.
We all paid millions for the 2014 referendum, but the result didn’t suit the SNP. If it wants a re-run, it and its lapdogs in the Green Party can pay for it.
Jill Stephenson.
Glenlockhart Valley,
Edinburgh.