Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir,-Although I am extremely disappointed to learn that RAF Leuchars will be closed as an RAF base I am not too surprised, because this information has been leaked most likely by politicians for some months.
As someone who proudly served my national service, in The Black Watch, I witnessed the similar leaking of information when politicians were deciding to no longer have a regiment named The Black Watch.
RAF Leuchars has been an important part of North East Fife for 100 years. Its closure is something the enemies of our great country never achieved.
I am left wondering what else politicians can change. Watch and listen for their next leaking of information to give us some indication.
Ian Thomson.Samairi Cottage,Moor Road,Ceres.
Missing from TV news
Sir,-With military experience confined to a few years’ national service, I can’t pretend to be an expert on the armed forces.
But didn’t Dr Liam Fox miss something out when he announced massive cuts in the regular army and the closure of Leuchars air station?
Shouldn’t he have added, “And, as a result, we officially announce that we will from now on stop diving into every war that happens anywhere in the world.”
Oh, hold on, I almost forgot. Politicians don’t actually get physically involved, only verbally. They involve our country then let the lads and lasses who serve in the forces face the bullets, get wounded, and get killed, so I suppose they think that’s ok, then.
I watched a national television news programme the night Leuchars was closed. Not a mention.
Wonder how high up the pecking order the story would have been had the airfield been close, or even fairly close to, London.
That is where it appears they are having the vapours over issues arising out of telephone “hacking” mostly involving people who deserve one another.
Ian Wheeler.Springfield,Fife.
Army cash for Scotland
Sir,- I am stunned at the negative reaction of some to the UK Government’s announcement on the armed forces in Scotland. It is fantastic news.
There will be a net increase of 2000 personnel based in Scotland.
The British Army currently pumps £100 million into the German economy. A significant part of this will now be spent in Moray, North East Fife and Angus.
The increase in the army strength in Scotland from 3500 to 8500, along with their families, will provide a knock-on effect on jobs.
Stewart Whyte.25 Crombie Acres,Westhill.
Alternative for Perth square
Sir,-I was astonished to see a photograph of Mr John Bullough, of McEwens of Perth, standing beside Perth City Hall (July 5). If ever a photograph demonstrates why this building should be preserved, this is it!
It is puzzling to read that Mr Bullough now recommends total demolition of the City Hall. A few weeks ago he wrote an article entitled “Perth city centre weathers the storm” in which he states: “A substantial visitor centre (in or around the square) will guide tourists around our museums, shops and monuments.”
This is exactly what the Perth City Centre Campaign advocates. By retaining the front section of the hall, we can accommodate our tourist office and a heritage centre in the heart of our city.
Then he states in The Courier that, by having an empty square, we will be able to “bring hundreds of thousands of customers into Perth.” I should think that we’d need to stage major events every day of the year in order to do that.
He is, however, absolutely correct in saying we need to attract more visitors. Tourism is about the only asset we have left.
In the same Courier article he says we need to “emphasise our unique attractions, our heritage.” So how can we do this by demolishing our heritage?
In relation to St John’s Kirk, I also fail to see why the total demolition of the hall is “vital to the success of its refurbishment”, as stated by session clerk Jo Young.
The proposed square has even been compared to the large piazza in Milan. This is the height of nonsense, as anyone who has ever visited Milan will know.
I see that the interior of the Woolworth building in High Street is being gutted and reconstructed. The council would have been better employed buying the hideous shell of this 1960s mistake, demolishing it and creating an open space there.
Stella Cormie.Craiglea Road,Perth.
Too quick to permit housing
Sir,-Roger Scott (July 18) is to be commended for his pragmatic and realistic assessment of the causes of flooding in Perth. For Perth & Kinross Council to suggest that residents should be responsible for protecting their properties is a total dereliction of responsibility.
Local councils, in conjunction with the local water authority, are responsible for drainage and always have been.
The fact that local authorities have been responsible for allowing ever more development with little regard to the impact of their decisions on adjacent localities is a sign of gross incompetence.
Councils are happy to allow development, whether it be housing or industrial, where council income from taxes is enhanced.
But they seem to abrogate their associated responsibility for the consequences of their decisions, including the need for appropriate investment in necessary infrastructure.
G. M. Lindsay.Whinfield Gardens,Kinross.
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.