The Courier’s week begins with discussion of nuclear energy, the preparation of food, cycling on pavements and the price of fuel.
North Sea water can provide nuclear future Sir,-With a healthy debate taking place in your columns over the relative merits of nuclear and renewables, we are between the devil and the deep blue sea, or at least the cold grey North Sea a sea, however, which can not only provide abundant but intermittent and expensive wind and tidal power but also contains three milligrams of extractable uranium per cubic metre, enough to provide ample nuclear energy for thousands of years.
The French embrace cheap nuclear power, the Scots do not.
To be carbon free, we can either build more nuclear power stations taking up but a few square kilometres of coastline, or fill up the proposed 3000 square kilometres designated for wind farms in the Forth with thousands of turbines at least twice the cost of nuclear, plus, presumably, a host of pumped storage hydro schemes in our glens for when the wind stops blowing.
To me it is a no brainer, but, then, I have undergone a nuclear conversion and happen to own a microbusiness with five electric kilns, which, with the recent doubling of the price of electricity, is already struggling.
Stephen Grieve.60 Nethergate,Crail.
Cooking expertise
Sir,-With reference to Ken MacDonald (January 26), I am now 86 years old and I started cooking when I was 14, and, at the age of 16, was cooking for 14 men on a steamship.
Throughout my time as master, I was responsible for the cleanliness on board ship and that included the galley.
I think, therefore, that I have enough experience to speak about the preparation of food.
As far as the food agency is concerned, they seem to neglect the fact that over 50% of food poisoning is caused by unwashed meat.
Apart from the chicken with maggots being rancid, if it had been washed, they would have been found in the first place.
I rest my case.
(Capt) T. R. Willis.61 Craigmill Gardens,Carnoustie.
Invest in cycle routes
Sir,-ByCycle, the Perth and Kinross Cycling Campaign, does not condone pavement cycling, except in the case of young children.
We support the development of cyclist training, especially through local schools.
We offer to support adults either starting or returning to cycling and to assist them to gain confidence to cycle on the roads.
Our aim is to see the roads shared safely by all those who have a right to use them.
We recognise that some busy main roads are not ideal for cycling and, in these cases, we encourage the relevant authorities to provide alternatives for cyclists.
However, unless much greater effort and resource is put into providing specific cycling facilities, people will continue to cycle on pavements.
Quite simply, people cycle on pavements because, at present, they feel unsafe on the roads.
Our local and national governments must do much more to provide safe cycle routes, cycle paths, advanced stop lines and training to young cyclists.
The Scottish Government’s recently published Cycling Action Plan for Scotland is a start, but it will take sustained action over several years, funded by a realistic shift in budgets from motoring to cycling, to achieve the cyclist-free pavements your correspondents rightly seek.
Brian Gall.Chairman,ByCycle,102 Allison Crescent,Perth.
Pundits’ right of expression
Sir,-Former US President Harry Truman’s famous statement, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen,” surely applies to the furore surrounding the private conversations of football pundits.
Any budding match official should join the crowds on the terracing during a match and take in the comments expressed. They will find the comments of the pundits pale by comparison.
This storm in a teacup is just part of a larger agenda by politicians and the PC lobby to stifle free speech.
R. H. L. Mulheron.28 Cowgate,Tayport.
Post early for Christmas
Sir,-The parcel of Christmas presents I posted in Dumfries on December 6 was finally delivered to Barnhill, Dundee, on January 24.
To call this snail pace would be an insult to snails.
Fortunately, all of the food items fell within their use-by date, although I am pleased I had not sent any fish, meat or cheese items.
The real winner was Charlie, the Jack Russell terrier. He was absolutely delighted with his “new” Christmas squeaky toy his owners much less so.
Later this year, I shall post early for Christmas, probably in August when the first decorations appear in the shops.
Terry West.37 Bloomfield,Dumfries.
Cut speed save on fuel
Sir,-I think MP Pete Wishart is living in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks the petroleum giants will pay attention to his call for action on fuel prices.
What motorists must do is reduce their speed to save fuel. What does it matter if your journey is some minutes longer?
I have a notice on the back window of my car which states if you overtake me you are wasting fuel. This method of driving works for me.
Neil G. Sinclair.New Fleurs,St Martins,Balbeggie.
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