Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-There were two quotes printed in The Courier (August 20) where one answered the other beautifully.
First Ann Widdecombe was quoted as saying: “We have got a media that’s gone from treating MPs with deference to contempt.”
The other quote was from a letter to another paper: “Flagrant criminality, opportunistic theft, disregard for the law our MPs must have thought they were debating their own expenses scandal again.”
Hope Ann Widdecombe reads The Courier.
Norma Rutherford.East Lodge,Kirkcaldy.
Neglect a shame at Backwater
Sir,-What has happened to one of our local beauty spots, Backwater Dam?
On a very recent visit I was most disappointed in the feeling of neglect.
The verges across the causeway are full of weeds. On arrival at the picnic site at the north end of the dam where there was a most attractive picnic area, it is now completely unkempt with the grass knee-high around all the picnic tables.
The toilet had a sign “closed for the season”. Presumably as this is only the middle of August it has been closed permanently.
One hears of the very generous salaries of the directors of Scottish Water so maybe there is no money available for more lowly tasks.
This is a very beautiful area and we still had a very happy day, it was just sad to see the neglect.
I would be happy to hear Scottish Water’s response.
Mrs Ercell Carruthers.11 Poplar Avenue,Blairgowrie.
Anxiety about Netherlea
Sir,-Further to the article about the future of Netherlea Hospital in Newport (August 18), we were pleased that the Glenrothes and North-East Fife Community Health Partnership (CHP) has finally agreed to a public meeting on September 7.
We were surprised by the comment from CHP chairman Graham Watson that there was unnecessary anxiety in terms of local people having their say.
There is bound to be great anxiety when a community is faced with the closure of its cherished hospital.
This anxiety was enhanced by the CHP, who have only now agreed to a public meeting, two and a half months after the original announcement.
Documentation as part of the CHP’s “engagement and communication plan” has been full of confusing jargon, lacking in clarity and concrete proposals.
The meeting is in the upper Blyth Hall at 7.30pm.
Martin Hepworth65 West Road,Newport.
Honey rasps were a treat
Sir,- I was intrigued to read in Helen Brown’s column (August 19) that a fruit-growing farm in Berkshire has produced a yellow raspberry after a natural genetic change and that they are shipping out samples of these.
As children, my sister and I spent our seven weeks summer holidays at our cottage in Glenisla and and we discovered what my mother described as honey rasps at the beginning of the track leading from East Mill farm to Loch Shandra.
They were delicious but on returning years later I was unable to find them. My mother seemed to know of them, so perhaps they grew elsewhere too.
I wonder if these fruit growers know that it is not the first time there has been this genetic change. It would be interesting to know if any of your readers know of these berries.
Margaret Skea.52 Regent Place,West Ferry.
Hard times on the way
Sir,-Why should rising inflation be a surprise?
If the Bank of England increases the money stock by £300 billion by creating money from thin air (quantitative easing) the dilution of existing money means that all money in circulation loses value, and goods cost more.
When we have lived beyond our means, our standard of living must fall back. Inflation is one way of achieving this.
The only advantage of inflation is that government borrowing can be repaid at a discount.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood,Kinross.
Up against a brick wall
Sir,-The following conversation took place at our local recycling centre:
Me: Good morning! Could you possibly give me a hand with this? (a fairly heavy glazed door).
Council employee: No, I’m sorry I’m not allowed to.
Me: Oh, why?
Ce: Because you’re not trained to lift.
Me: How do you know?
Ce: I assumed you’re not.
Me: You are trained?
Ce: Oh yes.
Me: Then perhaps you should lift it for me.
Ce: Sorry, can’t do that.
Me: Why not?
Ce: Because I’m not allowed to touch customers’ property.
I gave up at this point and dumped the door myself while wondering what would have happened had I slipped on something on the ground, hurt my back, etc., while on council property with a trained “lifter” watching.
The world has gone mad.
Alasdair Charleson.7 Fonab Crescent,Pitlochry.
No messing about then
Sir,-In my 1950s mining village, potential hooligans like me were kept in line by a consensus among parents, teachers and the police as to what constituted reasonable behaviour.
(Dr) John Cameron.St Andrews.