On Thursday’s correspondents’ minds are the proposed Dundee V&A designs, the future of the Unicorn and Discovery, an independent Scotland’s defence forces and the sorry situation at Dundee FC.
Cutting-edge design soon loses its sharpness Sir,-I am inclined to agree with Bob Ferguson’s letter (October 11) that the proposed biomass plant is unlikely to represent the blot on the landscape that many fear, or at least it will be camouflaged by its surroundings.
Of more concern to me is the potential for a carbuncle further west, namely the designs for the V&A museum.
Since the six options were unveiled to the public I had instead expected, as Mr Ferguson puts it, a spirited debate to rage about these.
As someone who has recently expressed in these columns a desire to see the Royal Arch rebuilt as an attempt to turn the clock back and correct at least one demolition for which Dundee is famous, I fear that another eyesore lies in wait.
If only it were possible to look into the future and gauge the impact that the shortlisted designs will have in 20 years’ time, and is it possible they will generate the same degree of contempt attracted by Tayside House, the Olympia, the Angus and Hilton hotels, the Overgate Centre and other similar disasters?
The trouble with much futuristic design is that inevitably through time it ceases to be futuristic and becomes merely dated. But already, rather than cutting-edge 21st century design, this cynic sees variations of Lego-style building blocks as well as a spaceship or whistle, depending on your perspective.
Nevertheless, the ambition of the city council is to be commended and perhaps there will be many more willing to celebrate what is planned, rather than those in my camp ready to pour scorn, mindful of past mistakes of which there is an abundance of examples. But I can’t help feeling the city council might have shown more sympathy with the concept of the Burrell in Glasgow rather than the Guggenheim, Bilbao.
Bruce Connelly.49 Caiyside,Edinburgh.
Payback time for Forth Ports
Sir,-Roderick Stewart (October 11) visualises the Unicorn and Discovery “side by side” next to Discovery Point. Unfortunately, the V&A plans displayed in Abertay University library don’t see it that way. All the plans foresee the Discovery marooned in a landlocked dry dock, cut off from the river and her natural environment. There’s no indication of a place for the Unicorn!
The most appropriate long-term setting for both these historic ships would be the Victoria Dock, adjacent to the site of the shipyard where the Discovery was built. A tremendous window of opportunity was missed when the Discovery was moved to Discovery Point, leaving the Unicorn isolated in Victoria Dock.
Dundee owes its development to the sea and ships yet the city has no maritime museum. Every time I pass the empty former Borders bookshop I think: “What a fine maritime museum it would make.”
The original building was part of Dundee’s marine engineering and ship-building history it has good parking, is relatively close to Victoria Dock, the popular coffee shop could be reinstated and there would be room for a bookshop.
I’m reminded of the lines in Monty Python’s Life Of Brian: “What have the Romans done for us… apart from…”
What has Forth Ports done for Dundee since it took over the Trust Port’s assets, apart from building a mammoth riverside housing estate, redeveloping dockside sheds for commercial use and proposing wind turbines and biomass power generation?
How about Forth Ports financing a Dundee maritime museum and the long-term future of the Unicorn and Discovery in Victoria Dock?
David Tennant.4 Cambustay Gardens,Broughty Ferry.
Independent view on defence
Sir,-I was dismayed when I read Colin Nikolic’s letter (October 12) re defence spending in an independent Scotland. His assertion that Scotland would have no defence forces or industries as an independent country is as nonsensical as it is specious.
An independent Scotland would have an army, navy and air force which would need bases and support industries to sustain them. Westminster currently claims over £3 billion as Scotland’s share of UK defence spending which is more than enough for strong, conventional defence forces.
Despite this Scotland has been reduced to two naval bases constantly under threat of closure and one infantry regiment, and our air bases look increasingly vulnerable.
Given this, where is the evidence the union is guaranteeing defence spending and jobs in Scotland?
In short, only independence can guarantee defence jobs in Scotland, as every penny spent on defence by the government would be spent here and not diverted elsewhere.
Stuart Allan.8 Nelson Street,Dundee.
Players should seek guarantees
Sir,-I note with interest the critical comments of Alex Smith regarding Dundee FC’s recruitment of their current management team and of the playing staff in general.
With respect to the club’s pending process of administration, this should be sending out warning signals to those employed in professional football.
The complexities of Dundee FC’s boardroom structure and any funding promises that have been/were made by the incumbent directors are not, I believe, confined solely to Dundee. In the past few years, we have seen similar situations at Motherwell, Livingston, Gretna and Airdrie.
One wonders why football agents are not insisting that signed contracts for their players and coaches include personal guarantees from chairmen and/or other directors. That is, after all, what the banks and other lenders would demand where assets are minimal.
This would perhaps go some way to stopping boards of football clubs defaulting on contractual commitments knowing that, in doing so, they would not be able to take cover under limited liability status.
Dr Harry L Riffkin.Teuchats Farm,Leven.
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.