Sir, On a recent visit, Australian relatives climbed Balmashanner to view Forfar and the valley of Strathmore below, only to be shocked and disappointed by the stark white architectural blight that had been allowed to be dumped in the middle of the town in the name of Asda.
The sign is so large, they reckoned they could even read it from the top of “Bummy”. They could not believe that such an architectural monstrosity could have passed planning permission in Angus, to sit right in the middle of our relatively unspoiled county town.
This is also something I have wondered about almost every time I pass it, particularly when you think of some of the businesses and shopkeepers who have had to change the design or colours of buildings, cladding, signage or colours of paint etc, in the past to meet planning requirements and be in keeping with the existing town structures and colours.
The excuse in this instance may be that current ecological requirements had something to do with the design and colours, but there is no doubt that, had the Angus Council planning department had the will to resist and require changes to both design and colour finishes to suit the town, there could have been a far more pleasing visual outcome for all of us in the years to come or were they responsible for the choice of design and colour?
Roy Scott. 9 Westfield Drive, Forfar.
Fed up with these threats
Sir, The First Minister keeps making careless threats and this time it concerns the future of Scotland’s currency.
Incredibly, Alex Salmond has said that he would be willing to default on Scotland’s debts if he wasn’t allowed to establish a Eurozone-style currency union if we go it alone.
This would be a disaster for our county and for the people who live here. The international money markets would view us as a pariah state and it would mean that interest rates on our credit cards and mortgages would have to rise.
Mr Salmond’s threat to default on Scotland’s national debt in the event of a “no” to his plan for a currency union is completely unreasonable and shows that he will do and say anything to get his own way.
People are becoming fed up with his reckless threats and they don’t want to see their costs go up. He is putting his obsession for achieving independence ahead of his concern for the people of Scotland.
Derek W Wann. 20Addison Place, Arbroath.
Never needed to complain
Sir, I was very shocked to read the review on Red House Hotel, Coupar Angus, in Saturday’s Courier. We are frequent diners there and have never had cause to complain. We had an excellent meal there only last night.
This is an excellent local hotel serving good food, with friendly, helpful staff offering a varied choice of menu. The recent upgrade of the conservatory has been well received by customers. The reviewers were lucky to get a table on a Saturday night.
Their choice from the menu wasn’t given much consideration. Who on earth has fish as a starter and fish as a main and the same applies to the chicken fillets followed by chicken breast?
Local folk would not support the Red House if the food was not up to standard. Weddings and parties are held at this excellent venue.
Maybe your reviewers did go on a quiet night over the festive season but it’s the first time I’ve known anyone to complain about the standard of food served. The Bannerman family have been serving the public for many years and long may they continue to do so.
Flo Dargie. Ledyatt Farm, Lundie, Dundee.
No need for “shock horror”
Sir, Please spare us such headlines as “Perthshire nuclear cargo terror fears” (Friday’s Courier). Whilst we readers are used to the angst-ridden, paranoia spouted regularly by spokespersons of the self-styled Friends of the Earth, I disagree with the editorial acceptance they are afforded, and by publishing their views you are awarding them a degree of credibility that is quite unjustified.
In this particular instance, the transportation of radioactive material by rail is proven to be safe. It should not be a matter of concern to anyone and certainly not justifying “shock, horror” headlines in a respected newspaper such as The Courier.
Kenneth Foster. 57 Hatton Road, Luncarty, Perth.
Control traffic entering town
Sir, I refer to the traffic calming measures on the A914 at South Road, Cupar (Friday’s Courier). Surely it must be blatantly obvious that the traffic island is controlling traffic in the wrong direction?
It would make more sense to allow the outgoing traffic to run freely from the town, rather than create congestion and bring traffic to a standstill back to the Ceres junction.
If any control is required it should be for the traffic entering the speed restriction zoneJohn McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.