Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Well said Jim Crumley (Too high a price for Scotland to pay, July 31). I agree with every point he makes and would like to add these two arguments in support of his case.
Jim’s point about energy conservation is very well made. Whilst the big energy companies don’t like energy conservation, politicians should realise it represents an efficient means of reducing carbon emissions. Furthermore, compared to onshore windfarms it would be far more popular with the public and provide a much greater boost to local employment.
The strapline for the London Olympics is ”Inspire a generation” a truly worthwhile and creditable aim and, given the success of our Olympians these games, should kick start a lasting sporting legacy.
But what of the legacy in terms of inspiring a generation to go out and enjoy healthy outdoor recreation in the Scottish countryside? With so many of the mountains and rivers that have provided my generation with pleasure over the last 40 years or so being threatened with a future under concrete and steel, I fear there will no longer be a wild and beautiful countryside to inspire and make us proud of our country.
I remember my teens and being inspired to explore Scotland’s wild places. It is very sad that greed and misguided government policies are threatening to rob future generations of spectacular landscapes that need protection like never before if Scotland is to continue inspiring young minds.
I wholeheartedly support Jim Crumley’s suggestion of having a 100% cut in subsidies for onshore windfarms. Invest instead in energy conservation and let’s inspire a generation to enjoy the land in Scotland.
Mike Dales.Beautyfield,Aberargie,Perth.
Town’s unique, historic skyline will be ruined
Sir, – The decision of the development standards committee of Angus Council to reject the windfarm applications at Corse Hill and Carrach on grounds of visual amenity and proximity to homes is welcome.
Later this month that same committee is expected to consider GSK’s application to erect two 132m-high turbines on their site in the Royal Burgh of Montrose. While the output of the two turbines does not classify them as a windfarm, the turbines proposed are of truly windfarm proportions.
At twice the height of the A-listed Montrose Steeple, and three times the height of Scurdie Ness Lighthouse, they will, in the opinion of the hundreds of objectors who have already made their views known, ruin the unique, historic skyline of Montrose with its distinctive coastal setting and the views of hundreds of local residents.
Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, the Scottish Civic Trust and the Montrose Society have all registered their serious concerns. I would commend your readers to visit the Angus Council planning website. (Google Angus Council 11/01184/EIAL) to view their representations. Those who have not already done so can still register their views online.
Sandy Munro.Warrack Terrace,Montrose.
We’ve heard it all before
Sir, – Here we go again. If it’s not big societies it’s big cultural changes. I do not know who writes David Cameron’s scripts but it must be someone with a wicked sense of humour. Politicians from any party should not make rash promises on the back of the euphoria Britain is experiencing at the moment with the amazing results at the Olympics.
Where is Mr Cameron going to get the four billion he promised in The Courier? Put 40% VAT on sports drinks instead of the 20% he already has added? Maybe add extra VAT on sports clothes, trainers etc?
Let’s be quite honest, we are heading back to elitism in all sports. If you come off wealthy parents then you can compete. How many ordinary families, who have seen the value of their weekly earnings drop dramatically over the last few years, could afford to have their children coached in any sport?
Three months from now when the Olympics are fading memories the excuses will start not enough PE teachers, the euro is stopping the promised expenditure for sports.
As someone who has been involved in sport for more years than I care to mention, David, I’ve heard it all before.
Bill Duthie.25 St Fillans Road,Dundee.
How did it get to this stage?
Sir, – Scottish councils have spent almost £14 million over the last five years paying for staff to work for trade unions? Scottish local authorities are paying full-time wages to those workers who spend 100% of their time on trade union business, with nearly 100 full-time equivalents working with the unions last year and being paid up to £27,000 each a year from the public purse? How crazy can we get? And how careless and wasteful our councillors and officials are with taxpayers’ money!
Council employees who are also trade union officials should not have more time away from council work than is needed for management/trade union representatives’ meetings or disciplinary hearings.
Any other trade union work such as interviewing members with problems or grievances or preparing policies on aspects of their members’ work, salaries and conditions should be done in workers’ and trade union representatives’ own time and at their own expense.
How on earth did we reach this ludicrously illogical state of affairs with taxpayers paying for trade union officials to fight their own corner and to extract better conditions, shorter hours and more money from public finances?
We do indeed live in a land whose leaders have lost their way … and their marbles!
George K McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
A timely visit
Sir, – How splendid it was to have the Queen and Prince Philip visit Balhousie Castle in July, on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee year.
The visit happily coincided with the 50th anniversary of The Black Watch headquarters and museum move from Queens Barracks to its present permanent home, now one of the finest infantry regimental museums in the country.
Fred Beattie (Lt Col, retd).Letham, Angus.
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.