Sir, Last Thursday, as a member of the Angus Citizens’ Panel, I completed a survey, the results of which allow Angus Council to gauge where the public considers spending cuts could be appropriately made. One of the options for cuts in leisure and cultural services, was the closure of the Webster Memorial Theatre in Arbroath.
On Friday evening, I was one of the audience in a packed Webster Memorial Theatre, totally mesmerised by The Limelight Company’s latest production, Grease.
I thought, how would companies like Limelight, Arbroath Musical Society, Angus Minstrels, Male Voice Choir, Angus Choral Society, In Harmony, and various dance schools entertain and demonstrate the hard work they have put into entertaining audiences from Arbroath, Angus and beyond? Then, there are the professional shows and concerts.
If I am correct, the Webster family gifted the theatre to the people of Arbroath in memory of one lost in the First World War and as such it belongs to the people of Arbroath even if in hearts and minds only not Angus Council, despite recent refurbishment costs, which I believe also involved Lottery funding.
There are probably many sides to this argument and it is not denied that savings have to be made somewhere. The idea of even thinking about closure as an option is despicable, an outrage and morally wrong.
The upgrade of various schools in Arbroath has been reported on in the last few weeks. If schools are to be made fit for purpose and able to provide a service for the next 25 years and beyond, why not consider a huge saving by closing the under-subscribed primary schools in the Arbroath catchment area and transfer teaching, support and other staff and pupils to more economically-run, upgraded schools in Arbroath.
I know many parents fought hard to retain these schools in the last five years or so, but we all have a bitter pill to swallow.
Geoff Bray. Heather Croft, Letham, By Forfar.
Hulled below the waterline
Sir, Hull’s victory must come as no surprise to those of us who expected Dundee to fail in its bid to become UK City of Culture 2017, and the reason for its failure is one, single matter: thepro-independence lobby.
The name of the competition gives us a clear indication of the outcome. The uncertainty over Scotland remaining part of the UK would give any sane person the answer. If Scotland were to vote for independence, it couldn’t use the title, as we would be an independent country and therefore couldn’t represent the UK, so it was obvious from the start it would have to be one of the English cities or the Welsh bid, where there is no conflict of interest.
It would be interesting to establish how much money has been spent by the city council on this futile bid, money that could have been used for better purposes, or did nobody in the council consider this before they entered the competition?
If this is the case then it brings into question their ability to make rational decisions. How could any SNP councillor or MSP even consider supporting the bid when they are hell bent on splitting the UK apart and yet expect a Scottish city to win a UK competition?
Alastair McLean. 4 Fletcher Place, Crieff.
Not a level playing field
Sir, I watched the live broadcast on TV to learn the unfortunate news that Dundee had lost the battle to win UK City of Culture for 2017. I can say, through gritted teeth, congratulations to Hull for winning and am safe in the knowledge that the team from Dundee did all they could to win, led by the very charming and capable Stewart Murdoch.
The cynical thought that hit me is: did the possibility of Scotland being independent in 2014 come in to play with the judges’ vote? Would they like to have a city of culture that could be in an independent country by then? I don’t think so.
Of course, some people would say it’s just sour grapes on our part, to think like this, but with a possible spin-off of some £70 million for winning, I tend to think that it was not a level playing field for Dundee to compete in.
All the people involved with Dundee’s bid will be bitterly disappointed but can be proud of their efforts, and we, the people of Dundee, know that once the waterfront regeneration is complete, we will have a magnificent environment in which to prosper at long last.
Ed Thomson. Camphill, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
A question of human rights
Sir, I was moved by the letter from Chris Johnston (Wednesday’s Courier) and heartened to hear of the inspiration he gained from his mother’s dignity and courage in dealing with her illness and death and send my condolences. He should realise, though, that not everyone is blessed with this amazing courage. Personal circumstances and degrees of suffering are never the same for people desperately wishing for, or abhorring, assisted suicide.
The expression human rights is used for so many reasons these days but surely our human rights should give us the right to choose how, and maybe when, we want to die with just this same dignity. Meanwhile, I will just have to try to be an inspiration while still able.
Mrs C.E. Manz, Arbroath.