Saturday’s wise correspondents tackle the subjects of travellers and the law, cyclists and safety, Richard Herring’s touring show, young opera talent, and the obvious question of Scottish independence.
Sir, Your correspondent, Philip Kearns (May 4) highlights the need for developing opera talent in Tayside and the lack of performances by professional opera companies due to the lack of suitable theatres.
He is correct to state that Gardyne Theatre will re-open in the autumn of 2011 with an extended orchestra pit.
Indeed, the theatre will reopen on October 8 with a performance by Scottish Opera, with orchestra.
In close consultation with Scottish Opera, we have made major adaptations to the theatre to ensure that Scottish Opera and other companies who require live accompaniment can make Gardyne Theatre their venue of choice.
Not only do we hope that Scottish Opera will return on a regular basis, we will be developing partnerships with the many amateur companies in the region who may want to make Gardyne Theatre their home.
Alongside our programme launch in July we will also be announcing details of our Connect! programme which will provide learning opportunities for the wider community to ensure that local talent is developed.
We will support their development and ensure that this broad range of talent can be nurtured.
Dundee College has established itself as a centre of excellence in the performing arts. We expect that the reopening of Gardyne Theatre will continue to develop this reputation.
Grant Ritchie.Depute principal,Dundee College.Obstinacy of cyclistsSir, There is no doubt that there are some things in this life worth dying for but the right to cycle on dual carriageways should not be one of them.
I recently had a near miss on the A90 between Forfar and Dundee.
Upon coming around a near blind bend I saw a cyclist come into view. I quickly checked my mirror to pull into the outer lane but could not because a car was in the process of overtaking me.
I was forced to violently brake to avoid hitting the cyclist.
I also observed a cyclist on the Arbroath to Dundee dual carriageway only last week and this is with a cycle path provided 10 feet away.
When will common sense take precedence over the obstinate attitude of certain cyclists exercising the outdated right to cycle on British roads.
Ray Trusty.25 Redcastle Crescent.Broughty Ferry.Publicity stunt by clergymanSir, What a surprise that Rev David Robertson has decided to criticise Richard Herring’s comedy show, Christ on a Bike.
Mr Robertson will not have seen the show yet he once again makes his verbose proclamations based upon his own prejudices.
His claim that his Christian music concert will attract more people than Mr Herring’s show is nothing more than sophistry and spin. He has once again turned reality on its head.
It is Mr Robertson who is trying to get free publicity for his event on the back of Mr Herring not the other way round.
I wonder if he will tell us the numbers who turn up to his concert to back up his claims?
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.Travelling people must obey lawSir, I refer to MP Lindsay Roy’s comments (May 2) about travellers descending on private land, whose owner, a local company, suffered the same experience last year.
This led to some expense, including the acquisition of a court order to force the travellers to move.
Clearly, absolutely nothing has been done about this problem since the same comments were made last year and in previous years.
Minority ethnic groups these travellers are not.
They are motorised vagrants, in the literal sense, since they freely choose their way of life.
There are plenty of laws to deal with their actions but no one in elected or civil society wishes to take them to task. Why?
Passing the problem to a neighbouring authority should not be the answer.
A single Scottish police force would be able to deal with them on a national basis.
A. T. Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Glenrothes.Independence elephant in roomSir, In the run up to Thursday’s election one matter was studiously avoided by politicians – whether or not there is a wish among the electorate to remain part of the UK union, or continue along the road to independence.
Despite politicians’ refusal to address the question, it remains the issue of overriding importance to the future of Scotland.
Neil McKinnon.Tulchan Garden,Glenalmond,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.