Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, What an enjoyable afternoon it was and yet what a big disappointment. What am I talking about? St Andrew’s Day, November 30.
Despite widespread information on a reception at Arbroath Abbey, with entertainment by ‘Trybe’, demonstration of wool-spinning, an illustration of the art of the stonemason and attendance and performance by a group from ‘Arbroath Abbey Time-themes’, only a number of people from Historic Scotland, B&B owners and a few members of the public were able to enjoy what was on offer.
Now, there was also a strike on in Scotland, but my bin was emptied so obviously not every member of the local authority was out. So where were some of our local councillors and council officers? Supporting a strike perhaps, as may or may not be the case?
They certainly were not at the Abbey to lend a hand at promoting tourism and Angus in general. I fail to see what the connection is between supporting a strike or taking a couple of hours out for the celebration of a National Day. It most certainly was not supported by the SNP members.
I hope that at future such events organised by Angus Council or Historic Scotland better attendance will be made by our leading lights.
Geoff Bray.Chairman Arbroath Abbey Timethemes.
More marchers than reported
Sir, Can I thank you for your fair coverage of the strike action by public sector workers, apart from your decision to claim 3,000 were on the march and rally.
As the march organiser and chief steward (okay, so I’m biased), I thought I made a fair and valid estimate of the numbers as 8,000, which was the figure given to the crowd by Lynn Heffell, our rally chair.
Tayside Police had no problem concurring that figure was a fair estimate on the day.
Mike Arnott.Dundee TUC.
Committed to sporting facilities
Sir, I’m pleased to see that the work on the replacement of the artificial pitches at DISC, Mains Loan, Dundee has started.
I’d like to congratulate Dundee City Council, Leisure and Culture Dundee and sportscotland for their commitment to the sport of hockey in Dundee and the surrounding areas.
These organisations have worked with the local hockey community to maintain an international standard pitch in Dundee for the foreseeable future.
This development, alongside the redevelopments under way on the new swimming and gymnastics centres, shows their ongoing commitment to providing the people of Dundee with excellent sporting facilities.
It is important to have these facilities available locally to allow us to develop the next group of potential Commonwealth Games and Olympic athletes.
With London 2012 approaching and with two local representatives (Niall Stott and Vikki Bunce) in with a good chance of participating for GB, it was at DISC where they began their hockey careers.
It also allows us to attract international tournaments to the city, with all the added financial benefits that entails from visiting teams and spectators coming into the city.
We look forward to seeing the pitch complete in early 2012.
Martin Boag.Honorary PresidentScottish Hockey Union.
Blame lies with teachers
Sir, I read that the spokesman for the Educational Institute for Scotland is justifying the strike action by Scottish teachers by bleating that Scottish teachers spend more time in the classroom than do their Continental counterparts.
Whether he is correct in this bald statement is open to doubt but what he did not indicate was what their minimal time at the chalkface achieves.
If direct comparison is made between Scottish educational standards up to and beyond secondary levels and those of comparable French and German equivalents we are sadly lagging here and our teachers are either not doing enough or doing it the wrong way.
Scottish education today is an anaemic imitation of that which it was 50 years ago.
To claim, as most of our teachers do today, that they are in one of ”the most stressful of occupations” they should ask the question why this lamentable state of affairs should be.
If they were honest they would have to admit that the fault is theirs alone for allowing themselves to have been corrupted by the liberal doctrines of ”progressive education” over the years from the infamous Sixties.
The Blackboard Jungle and our degenerating youth are largely of their creation.
Alastair Harper.Lathalmond,by Dunfermline.
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.