On the agenda today: the fortunes of the elderly, community spirit in Angus, our right to protest, recycling schemes, and renewable energy.
Pensioners face winter heating punishment
Sir,-I wonder if those in our elderly, retired population are aware of the reported government plans to reduce the winter heating allowance by £50?
The elderly in the United Kingdom have become an easy target unlikely to take action and unable to do anything to reverse this decision.
Some may argue that the elderly must make sacrifices like the rest of the population for the good of the country.
However, those of us lucky enough to have savings have been making huge sacrifices since interest rates plunged to their present levels, which are providing the nation with cash, facilitating cheap mortgages.
This point seems to be lost on our politicians, or conveniently missed.
However, we continue to spend vast quantities of money on conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and, more recently, Libya, not to mention our contributions to the European Union.
The UK can no longer afford these outlays and our government is now sinking to the level of targeting the elderly to save money.
I do not see politicians giving up much to help the country.
Kenneth T. Soutar.1b Dalhousie Street,Carnoustie.
Big Society thrives in Angus
Sir,-Thank you for reporting on the official opening of Eassie and Nevay Hall by our patron Lord Eassie.
The Big Society is currently on the political agenda but, in fact, the ethos of a big society has been alive and well in this country for decades and has been largely unrecognised.
I prefer to call it community spirit and our new hall is testament to the ability of a small rural community to provide its own village hall rather than wait for “someone” to provide it.
Philip Jenkins.Old Schoolhouse,Eassie,Forfar.
Do not punish the innocent
Sir,-George K. McMillan’s latest wheeze for dealing with violent demonstrators (March 29) ignores the fact that we have a basic right to demonstrate peacefully in this country which the vast majority of Saturday’s protesters did.
If the police had targeted the thugs instead of using their new tactic of kettling innocent protesters perhaps more thugs would be appearing before the courts in London.
One cannot punish the innocent and let the guilty go free, which is what would happen if we adopted your correspondent’s suggestion.
Jim Robertson.194 High Street,Montrose.
Celebrate our right to protest
Sir,-George K. McMillan’s usual common sense seems to have deserted him (March 29).
To say the organisers of a well-behaved march should be penalised because of the action of criminals leaves me scratching my head. Everyone connected with Saturday’s march in London, including the Metropolitan Police, said the disorder had nothing to do with the main march.
A peaceful protest was hijacked by anarchists disguising their identities.
If anyone should be criticised, it should be them only, with a lengthy jail term to boot. There were between 250,000 and 500,000 at this march, all deeply worried about the future.
Instead of Mr McMillan’s attacks on peaceful protest, perhaps he should reflect on why so many people were so moved to travel hundreds of miles to attend.
Perhaps he could also celebrate with me the fact that, unlike in Libya, they can do so without being fired on by government forces.
Brian Macfarlane.Bridge Cottage,Main Street,Carnock.
Bin laden in Tayport
Sir,-The majority of people are in favour of the recycling of household rubbish if it is practical and possible, with no concern for any health and fire hazards.
However, I have received notification from Fife Council that, from May 16, our recycling bin allocation will be increased grey, green, brown and blue bins from the present two, to four.
As I live in a block of six flats and in close proximity to the storage area, I think I can be forgiven for my concern that my house is to be surrounded by 24 bins.
I have no doubt other councils will also be implementing this scheme and I can visualise the problems in tenement areas in Dundee where eight flats in a block is normal, resulting in 32 bins.
R. H. L. Mulheron.28 Cowgate,Tayport.
Powerful future for renewables
Sir,-In his letter (March 28), Clark Cross challenges me to name renewable energy sources other than wind, implying he does not believe they exist.
I am happy to enlighten him regarding the mix of renewables that could easily power Scotland: Hydro, of course is one. Tidal Skye will soon be powered by this with millions of mainland homes to follow. Wave power generation a well-established method with its pioneer recently honoured. Biomass it is strange the anti-renewable lobby champion huge nuclear plants but oppose smaller biomass plants that only burn wood. Solar not commercially viable for energy suppliers but good for home owners to cut their bills and take some strain off the grid.
This is by no means an exhaustive list but should give an idea of what is out there.
We do not have to rely on diminishing fossil fuels or gamble with nuclear power generation.
Stuart Allan.8 Nelson Street,Dundee.
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.