Sir, I write in response to the recent letter by Mr Bill Sangster, headlined “More questions than answers”.
I have become quite amused on occassions at the constant name-checking by opponents of the new Madras at Pipeland but have resisted the temptation to get involved in their, frankly, tiresome onslaught.
But I cannot recall any letter that plummeted to the depths which Mr Sangster has sunk in his most recent correspondence.
Mr Sangster’s comment:
“ . . . explaining their relationship with Muir Hermiston is the least the public should expect”, is clearly a deliberate attempt to imply something improper involving Councillor Thomson, myself and Muir Hermiston. Given the public role I currently fulfil, the way in which I conduct myself is important and is particularly important with regard to planning applications.
I view Mr Sangster’s letter as a deliberate attempt to defame myself (and Councillor Thomson and Muir Hermiston). That is also the opinion I have had, informally, from a legal source.
Let me be absolutely clear, for the record: I have absolutely no relationship with Muir Hermiston; I have never met or been at any meeting with Muir Hermiston; and I wouldn’t recognise anyone from Muir Hermiston if they turned up on my doorstep.
I am willing at this stage to accept that Mr Sangster has let his apparent personal animosity towards me and all things to do with Pipeland lead to his misjudgment. I trust and hope Mr Sangster has the decency and humility to publicly acknowledge that he has overstepped the mark on this occasion and withdraw his remarks. An apology wouldn’t go amiss.
I await his response with interest.
Bryan Poole, Independent councillor, Fife Council.
Concerns over school changes
Sir, I write to raise my concerns over Fife council’s proposal to reduce the length of the primary school week.
I was unable to attend the council open evening on the proposed school changes but I have read the presentation published on the council website. This presentation suggests that annual school teaching hours do not influence student attainment.
This is misleading.
The 2012 OECD PISA report found that the more time students spend learning in school, on average, the higher their grades.
What alternative evidence does the council have that the proposed cut to the primary school week will lead to educational benefits as claimed?
Nicola Allison. Meadowside Road, Cupar.
Irresponsible birth advice
Sir, Improved maternal and perinatal survival was one of the 20th Century’s great public health achievements and to the chagrin of midwives, it resulted from improved medical technology.
Midwives fought back by pretending the massive decreases in maternal and perinatal mortality had not occurred and childbirth was always as safe as it is today.
This bitter turf war between obstetricians and midwives is a century old but now the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence claims home births are the safest option.
While this advice has (small-print) provisos, encouraging women to think they will always be safe at home, miles from a hospital, is absolutely idiotic and criminally irresponsible.
John Cameron. Howard Place, St Andrews.
Council failing to meet needs
Sir, Once again, St Andrews Community Council seem to be out of step with the needs of the majority in St Andrews, with regard to their “great concern” at the prospect of housing on the former New Park School playing fields, as reported in Saturday’s Courier.
Instead of asking to have the plans thrown out, they should be asking for meaningful talks to be held with the developers and concerned others, to discuss ways of including the crying need for affordable new-build housing for the town.
This would make best use of the land, if available. May I point out that this overgrown field is no wild flower meadow and is not and has never been part of the Lade Braes Walk. It is, therefore, seldom ever visited by anyone other than dog walkers. Although the loss of open space is usually undesirable, in this case, the prospect of affordable housing for St Andrians is the greater need.
Joseph A Peterson. Kilrymont Road, St Andrews.
Plasticine not just for children
Sir, I write as a spirograph graduate (Lorraine Wilson, Courier, December 5), who recently rediscovered plasticine. This was at a “Messy Church” event at Hope Park and Martyrs in St Andrews, where adults and children were invited to make the sort of cups that might have contained the wine miraculously produced by Jesus at the wedding in Cana.
What fun it was!
So, some months later, I encouraged the adult-only congregation to take up their plasticine and create. You should have seen the results!
Rev Caroline Taylor. Forthill Road, Broughty Ferry.