Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – In the light of the possible sale of the St Andrews abattoir, to make way for a new hotel and supermarket, I would like to remind your readers of the importance to the Fife economy of having an abattoir in Fife.
Our reputation for food in Fife is very high and this is partly because of the high standards of husbandry and animal welfare. The loss of the unit would undermine these facts.
The loss of a few people at the unit itself does not take into account the knock-on effect of losses of jobs if animals have to be taken elsewhere for slaughter local farms, butchers and haulage companies all impacting on the Fife economy.
St Andrews currently has two very good butchers, Minick and Balgove Larder, not to mention others in Ceres, Pittenweem and Crail.
The quality of what these shops provide would be seriously undermined by the loss of the St Andrews abattoir. Who knows where the meat sold in the supermarkets currently comes from?
Our quality food reputation rests with our local provision. Its loss would be a catastrophe.
Christopher Trotter.Fife’s Food Ambassador,Buckthorns House,Upper Largo.
Becoming more authoritarian
Sir, – I have for some time been mystified by the actions of Angus District Council licensing board, but a recent appeal against their decision has shed some light on their actions.
It would appear that some members of the board believe that their personal moral attitudes should be enshrined in the law and if not then they will legislate as if they were, regardless of the wishes of those they represent.
Representation of the people is not a licence to promote personal crusades which are contrary to the will of the voters they represent.
It does appear, however, that from local to national government level our elected representatives wish to abandon democracy in favour of a more authoritarian government.
Who then will represent the ”people”?
Alan Bell.Roods,Kirriemuir.
ASBOs are not the answer
Sir, – I refer to a letter published in The Courier on August 24 from Allan Petrie. It alleged that Dundee City Council are not using the appropriate legislation to deal with the problem of nuisance travellers and suggested that the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 was the answer.
The main remedy under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act is the Anti-Social Behaviour Order or ASBO. ASBOs cannot be used to force travellers to move on or force them to clean up when they do. These are the principal concerns of Dundee citizens and of the SNP administration.
I would, however, reassure your readers that the council has in the past and will continue in the future to use all the legal powers that are available to it to deal with the issues caused by inconsiderate travellers.
Councillor Willie Sawers.Dundee City Council,City Chambers.
Church does debate issues
Sir, – I have news for Graham Lockhart (Letters, August 28). Many churches shut their doors on God long ago, when they stopped believing the Bible as being truthful.
Also, when he writes about debating issues such as gay marriage or the right to die, I have read countless theological books on such issues as ”a just war” to the European Union and, yes, homosexuality and the right to die. The various denominations at their annual conventions have discussed such issues over the years also.
As an evangelical Christian I have views on these issues which do not concur with my brothers and sisters, but then God did give us free will and a brain. I might be called un-traditional.
I listened to a good going debate between a churchman and others on gay marriage on the radio only a few days ago. The Church, which is the people of God not buildings, is very involved in discussing such important issues.
The criticism levelled by Mr Lockhart adds nothing to any debate but shows a real lack of understanding of just what is going on in the Church.
John Montgomery.24 March Crescent,Cellardyke.
Not the most northerly fort
Sir, – The BBC is wrong to report that the most northerly Roman fort that is being surveyed is in Angus. It is in inverness near the small village of Eastern Galcantry that the Romans burnt to the ground when they left, burying a hoard of nails to prevent our ancestors the Picts from using them to make swords.
I had the privilege to handle the nails when a kind employee of the National Museum of Scotland opened the case to let a young boy have a better look at them.
They were just like they had just been made in our blacksmith shop in Burntisland shipyard where I served my time in the 1960s.
So the experts are not always right.
John George Phimister.63 St Clair Street,Kirkcaldy.
Must do likewise
Sir, – Gordon Brown has a bit of a cheek complaining that the Royal and Ancient Golf Club should admit women to the membership of the R&A.
There are currently two golf clubs in St Andrews, St Rule and St Regulus, which are for lady members only. If Gordon Brown wants all men-only golf clubs to admit women members then all lady-only golf clubs must do likewise and admit male members.
Douglas Tott.Stoneyburn,Bruichladdich,Isle of Islay.
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.