Madam, – Your article (April 3) on Arbroath “as a sleeping giant” was quite interesting and reminded us of the halcyon days of the fishing fleet which used to fill the Arbroath harbour.
However, I wish MSP Bill Bowman well in his discussions with Fergus Ewing, the SNP agriculture and fisheries minister.
I am not surprised at Mr Ewing’s lack of apparent interest in the effect of offshore turbines on the fishing industry.
He and his SNP colleagues’ aim in life, apart from independence, is to be part of the customs union and single market.
This means that he will have no say in the effect on the fishing industry, as this will be controlled by the EU.
So much for his interest in our Scottish fishermen’s future, as whatever he thinks will be completely irrelevant, and a total waste of time, since Brussels will be calling the tune.
Our fishermen should be reminded of this come the next election, when the insistence of membership of the EU by the SNP will virtually sell off our fishing rights to the unelected and corrupt EU.
Westminster is currently a shambles, but I feel that being partly governed by Whitehall would be infinitely better than be ruled by dictatorial Brussels.
D M Clark.
Keptie Road,
Arbroath.
Spelling it out on the brantics
Madam, – I have just invented a word for the activities of someone swearing blind they are against a no-deal Brexit during the current crisis while actually praying for this because she/he thinks they will get a second independence referendum: brantics.
The noun is brant, the verb is brant” and the adverb is brantically, as in ‘she launched into a brant, branting brantically at the prime minister’.
A person who brants is known as a brantacist because they fantasise that people zip up at the back. An alternative ending could be coming up the Clyde in a banana boat.
Allan Sutherland.
Willow Row,
Stonehaven.
Time for a game of chicken
Madam, – If those responsible for deciding if there should be another Brexit vote are entirely happy that what is happening now is pretty well what the Leave voters wanted, there should not be another Brexit vote.
If, on the other hand, it is felt that Great Britain should be renamed Headless Chickenland on leaving the European Union, another vote might be a good idea.
Gordon Cook.
Gowanlea,
Friockheim.
Spotlight on battery plant
Madam, – Your journalist Ross Gardiner reported on the recent public meeting relating to the proposal to build a battery storage unit in Coupar Angus.
Here are some additional points which are relevant to this so far one-sided discussion.
The managing director of the firm Coronation Power, Vickram Mirchandani, said that the batteries would not explode and to “trust the brand”.
They said that about the Titanic. If there is no danger, then why are there fire extinguishing systems, a smoke detector, a temperature sensor and gas to put out the fire?
Mr Mirchandani said that very few were against the proposal but local people only came because they were against it, not for the coffee.
He commented: “I would be very very surprised if this isn’t approved now”.
A bit presumptuous.
The area of land to be leased from the Grewars would be capable of a second battery storage unit. If planning permission is given, what is to stop Coronation Power selling to the highest bidder?
Subsidies are given to any company which purports to be “saving the planet”. Coronation Power is, I suspect, hoping to attract these taxpayer-funded subsidies.
Clark Cross.
Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
Look out for laughter lines
Madam, – I thoroughly enjoyed Helen Brown’s review of episode one of the new BBC series Line of Duty (April 5).
Like her, I often find following the plot and jargon confusing. Yet the appeal of the programme is surely that combination of formality, cynicism, intrigue and how officers cope with gratuitous violence.
Her admiration for the acting skills of Adrian Dunbar as detective superintendent Ted Hastings will be shared by many; all the more surprising ,therefore, that she didn’t mention one of the most hilarious moments in the first episode.
A sceptical Ted leans over towards a fellow colleague and says: “Alison, I didn’t just float up the Lagan in a bubble – did you know or didn’t you?” I wonder if readers know of any variations on that aphorism?
Locally, I’m inclined to reply to individuals with the contrived: “I didn’t just paddle up the Forth in a canoe half-naked and wearing a leopard skin”.
But I’m sure that throughout the Fife , Angus and Perthshire areas there will be colloquialisms which are much pithier than simply, I wasn’t born yesterday’ or, pull the other one, it’s got bells on.
If they prompt as much laughter as Mr Dexter’s outburst, I’m sure your readers will get through the next week and episodes in a much happier frame of mind.
Bob Taylor.
Shiel Court,
Glenrothes.
