In today’s letters to The Courier: Tayside’s Roman past, opinion polls, the levy on banks, problems in Perth, and Dundee FC’s financial difficulties.
Tayside’s rich Roman past must be promoted
Sir,-It was gratifying to read your editorial comment (October 26) on the importance of Roman activity in Tayside.
Since coming to teach in Dundee University in 1964, I have been much involved in Roman archaeological research in this area. Over the years, I have given courses in the field or classes in the contemporary education department on Romans in our area.
My students have always been impressed by the wealth of Roman material which lies around us. Within a 30-mile radius of Dundee, there are at least 30 Roman sites ranging from legionary fortresses through a spectrum of fort camps to small signal stations.
Over the years there have been proposals to give greater prominence to the Romans north of the Antonine Wall.
The late Sir Ian Richmond, Professor of Roman archaeology at Oxford had, in his retirement, intended to re-excavate and consolidate the fort at Ardoch but death overtook him.
The late Dr Donald Southgate, Dundee University, generously offered funds for the purchase of the site of the fort at Cardean. Plans for this had been prepared by Duncan of Jordanstone students.
It is now imperative that steps be taken immediately to give as much publicity as possible to the archaeology and history of the Romans in Perthshire and Tayside, especially since the Antonine Wall has been scheduled as a World Heritage Site.
Much Roman material still lies hidden in our museums. There should be permanent, or changing, displays in museums such as Perth, Abernethy, Meigle, Dundee and Forfar.
James J. Robertson.59 Albany Terrace,Dundee.
Difference of opinion
Sir,-The majority of people treat opinion polls with a pinch of salt, especially when the results favour those who sponsor them and have a vested interest.
You report two such polls recently. Firstly, a poll by Scottish Renewables stated that 78% of those surveyed favoured wind farms, while 53% were against.
Then we had an excited Green Party MSP revealing that a poll carried out on behalf of his party found 58% of the public agreed with same-sex marriage, while 19% disagreed.
However, public opinion expressed in these columns and elsewhere would suggest a reversal of these figures would be more accurate.
R. H. L. Mulheron.28 Cowgate,Tayport.
Banks have got off lightly
Sir,-Your recent reports concerning the government levy on banks, with its pitifully low rate of imposition reportedly 0.4% gave no encouragement to the public.
This ridiculously low rate will certainly not reduce the national debt very much. The greedy bankers will be rubbing their hands with glee, for it is certainly far lower than they would charge in similar circumstances. Their punitive interest rates to borrowers are well known.
Given the fact that massive amounts of taxpayers’ money was thrown at the banks, the levy should be increased to at least one per cent.
D. W. R. Whittet.Gillaroo House,Beech Hill Road,Coupar Angus.
Tackle central Perth problem
Sir,-Recent reports about “undesirables” harassing Perth citizens in the town centre are, in my experience, entirely accurate.
Visits to the library frequently involve encounters with down-and-outs using the library grounds and, in rain, its entrance porch for their get-togethers. I have also been asked by them for money on several occasions.
The other day, I was approached by one down-and-out in a city centre chemist. He wanted money for bread, he said.
A back door to a city centre store was being used for some very doubtful transaction involving sex for drugs when I passed by one afternoon. A visit to Greyfriars’ cemetery was cut short by the sight of a group involved in a drinking session.
These people need help and have their rights but the majority of citizens also have theirs.
The placing of hostels in the centre of Perth for people down on their luck is unwise, to say the least.
It is our Christian duty to look after these unfortunates but accommodation and reception centres for them should not be situated in, or near, the centre.
There are many locations more suitable for their needs where they would be more appropriately looked after and would not impinge so hugely and unpleasantly on the day-to-day lives of other citizens and visitors.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Punishing the innocent
Sir,-It is with dismay that I read about Dundee Football Club’s current situation, where the Scottish Football League will almost certainly deduct sufficient points to relegate the club as a punishment for going into administration.
Everyone appears to be taking this as a given instead of questioning the moral and logical aspects of penalising a club that is already in dire straits. Is going into administration not punishment enough?
Who, after all, is responsible for the club going into administration? The directors, of course, most of whom have resigned.
So, who does points deduction punish? It punishes the supporters who are not culpable but who are now having to dig deeper into their pockets to keep their club alive. It punishes the players and coaching staff, many of whom have already lost their jobs.
Furthermore, Dundee provides most teams in the First Division with their biggest crowds of the season and would be a huge financial loss to the division.
Alan MacDonald.60 Wilson Street,Perth.
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.