Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Dr John Cameron (November 1) is entitled to his opinion, however, his assertion that the principal of the University of St Andrews ”refuses to accept any duty of care” for students taking part in Raisin Weekend celebrations is simply untrue.
On the direction of Professor Richardson, teams of staff, students’ association officers and police officers from Fife Constabulary spend a great deal of time visiting student halls, giving presentations and some very firm advice and guidance on health, safety and responsible behaviour in the lead-up to Raisin Weekend, a long-standing student tradition.
During the weekend itself, a raft of our student support staff and volunteers are on duty round the clock to provide front line support and welfare services for our students. They visit student parties, offer first aid, on the spot advice and help, hold hands, administer discipline and tuck the weary up in bed where necessary.
In addition, this year, teams of staff volunteers were out on the streets of St Andrews to monitor student behaviour and intervene where necessary, as we are acutely conscious of the tensions and inconvenience that can be caused by such a high-profile student celebration.
Through local media, we published a helpline number 01334 462020 to allow townspeople to alert us to any concerns or difficulties.
This year, for the first time in many years, Raisin Weekend was brought forward to late October to avoid a potential clash with the Remembrance period and to respond to concerns that the colder weather of mid-November can pose a challenge to the health and safety of students.
All of this happens on the direction of and with the support of the principal and her senior team, in consultation with student leaders. Her concerns for the welfare of St Andrews students are paramount.
Niall Scott.Director of corporate communications,University of St Andrews.
A fitting tribute at Scotland rugby match
Sir, – When I heard that the national team was to be playing rugby on November 11, I was mortified. I would have to choose between supporting the Scotland team and showing my respect at the Remembrance Day service.
The autumn tests are the only internationals I can afford now. However, when I contacted the Scottish Rugby Union I was pacified and reassured by a press officer who said the match had the approval and blessing of the British Legion (Scotland) and Poppy Scotland.
It would be a fitting tribute and mark of respect if the serving and retired members of the armed forces who are attending the game were to wear their berets and cap badges. I think amongst the 60-odd thousand there are bound to be a fair amount of servicemen and veterans.
This would make it an emotional and spine-tingling event.
Dave Dakers.35 Inch Terrace,Montrose.
Deafened by their silence
Sir, – I wholly agree with Mr Malone’s comments (November 1) regarding the appalling decision to close the vital services of Kemback Street to the most vulnerable in our society. What was missing in the letter was the action, or lack of action taken by the other two elected Maryfield councillors. They were indeed deafening with their silence.
Whilst SNP Councillor Ken Lynn put his head above the parapet, SNP Councillor Melville would be forgiven for being a bit quiet on the thorny issue. I fully expected Labour’s Councillor Cruickshank to be at the forefront of any local campaign against the closure. These ineffective people who pontificate on your doorstep pre-election then disappear into the abyss until five years down the line is just not good enough whatever colour rosette they wear.
I want to see ”real” people standing for political parties who have a track record of campaigning and fighting against these ridiculous decisions that will forever impact detrimentally on hundreds of Dundee citizens, not scroungers picking up a salary from the public purse for very little return.
Mick Streets.14s Peter Street,Dundee.
“Cruel works of nature”
Sir, – God protect us from Mr Hinnrichs and his percentage-laden pseudo science. Puny man, apparently, has so charged the atmosphere of late with industrial gases that we prodigal humans are the origin of the weather changes presently afflicting us on land and sea.
Talk about arrogance!
Without man’s presence on Earth the atmospheric convulsions we call hurricanes would happen as they always have happened with their own intensity for they are, as Charles Darwin so described, a part of ” the clumsy, wasteful, blundering and horribly cruel works of nature”.
Alastair Harper.House of Gask,Lathalmond,by Dunfermline.
All our fault
Sir, – Congratulations must go to Alan Hinnrichs (November 1) for being the first climate change alarmist in your pages to blame man-made CO2 for causing hurricane Sandy.
The ornithological equivalent, I suppose, would be to say that he had just heard the first cuckoo of spring.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood, Kinross.