Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Re your articles ”Cox has vision for Dundee” and ”Back to the centre” (November 14 and 15), I find it difficult to recall reading such a lot of half-baked nonsense before.
Brian Cox, accomplished actor and passionate Dundonian as he is, should stick to what he is good at. To trivialise the problems of some of our most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens by suggesting that all their ills, and those of our city in general, can be cured by moving them into the city centre is ridiculous.
He, of all people, as Rector of Dundee University should know that much of the previously highly populated central area required for such a plan is now in the hands of educational institutions and many of the surviving tenements are now occupied by students.
As far as Charles McKean’s contribution goes you must have caught him on an off-day.
A respected academic, McKean has often inspired me with his visions, both in print and at lectures, of old Dundee and its place in Scottish history but his view of the 50s and 60s bears little of the reality to the times in which I grew up in Fintry.
The idyllic world of tinsmiths, leather makers (whatever they were) and the like disappeared in the 50s and 60s because we had no further use for them and Dundee was attracting multi-national firms who employed workers on a scale unknown since the height of Dundee’s textile industry.
The ”schemes” and indeed, in their day the ”multis”, were a source of inspiration and even joy to those who first left the slums to inhabited them. As McKean finally concedes they were constructed ”for the best of intentions”.
Thank goodness neither of your interviewees mentioned the Overgate!
Alex Gouick.13 Westfield Place,Dundee.
Expel him and damn the consequences
Sir, – What a travesty of justice to the British people that Abu Qatada has been able to thwart this justice and is again amongst us; this time courtesy of a British judge, obviously influenced by human rights legislation.
This man poses a grave threat to this country. No wonder he is smiling to the delight of other hate preachers. What kind of message does this send out to others who might be embarked upon the same course?
We have come not to expect protection from that useless and miserable entity, the European Court of Human Rights, whose priorities appear to highlight their apparent disdain for our rights and ability to determine the needs of our own people.
We were promised in a pre-election mandate by the Tory Party to replace the Human Rights Act with our UK Bill of Rights, only for this to be torpedoed by yesterday’s man, Nick Clegg and his odious Liberal Democrats. This will surely be remembered by the public when the next election comes to pass.
Enough is enough and we should simply expel him without further ado and damn the consequences. The French would not hesitate nor, I suspect, the Germans, so why should we?
David L Thomson.24 Laurence Park,Kinglassie.
Recycling effort is thwarted
Sir, – We at KY5 0UE are still laughing at the mess of it all. It seems that Fife Council’s motto should be: ”if it works change it”.
In the first week of the new refuse collection system no collection. After complaints a lorry arrived and all the bins were emptied into one lorry.
Second week we received a collection. Third week, no collection. After complaints a lorry was sent and bins were all emptied into one lorry.
Fourth week; all change. New schedule of collections; no collection on scheduled day.
We take the time to help the recycle programme and all our efforts are thwarted by the council. The unions and the council may be happy, but how about the householders?
Clive Hughes.Chy-an-Kembro,Craigend,Kinglassie.
Answer simple question
Sir, – The latest letter from Alan Hinnrichs says ”green energy is inevitable if we are to survive as a species”.
Although a bit OTT let us assume he is correct. Could he therefore answer one simple question?
If countries responsible for 85.7% of global emissions refuse to curb their emissions and China, India, Poland and others including Germany are opening coal-fired power plants because they are cheaper than renewable energy how can savings on our meagre Scottish 0.15% emissions ”save the planet”?
Clark Cross.138 Springfield Road,Linlithgow.
Successful fund-raiser
Sir, – In Pittenweem recently Macmillan Cancer Support held their Christmas coffee morning. People came from throughout the East Neuk for their coffee and cake and we managed to raise an absolutely amazing £1,502.00.
On behalf of the committee I would like to extend our grateful thanks to all who supported this worthwhile fund-raising event.
Colin Campbell.Chairman,Macmillan Cancer Support East Neuk,Lawside Cottage,Pittenweem.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.