Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – What has gone wrong with our society that people, whether ordinary concerned citizens or celebrities, feel that they must test their stamina beyond endurance in order to raise money for charity?
Is it that they feel obliged to ”repay” society because they do not live a deprived, under-privileged life? Is it society’s insane compensation for those who live ”couch potato” lives?
Is it because the work of the charities they support is vital to the wellbeing of society but the government does not give them the financial support they need, so concerned people take on the mantle? Is it ”character-building”?
Whatever the reason, charities should call a halt to people putting their lives in danger on their behalf.
Since the London Marathon began 11 people have lost their lives. I cannot be the only person who regards this as lunacy.
After all, if Claire Squires, the tragic hairdresser who died while running Sunday’s marathon, had been a horse running in the Grand National there would have been public outrage following her death.
As it is, it would appear that the same contributory factors might be involved in her death too many taking part, the course presenting unacceptable danger, not enough scrutiny of the participants’ fitness to undertake the race and finally enormous pressure, whether by the whip or friends, exhorting runners to ”go for it”.
Claire raised about £500 in sponsorship. Since her death people have been sending in money so that the sum raised is already more than £700,000 and increases by the hour.
”How wonderful!” some people exclaim. I say that no matter how much money is raised for the Samaritans, it is not worth the life of this young woman and we must stop encouraging people to raise money for charity by increasingly bizarre and dangerous activities.
Lovina Roe.Glasgow Road,Perth.
Muir is for the many, not just for the few
Sir, – Jim Crumley’s piece on the proposed John Muir Way (April 24) rather misses the point.
The idea behind extending the route from its current end in Musselburgh through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to Helensburgh is to help connect Muir’s legacy with the three million Scots in the central belt.
And through that connection it just might be that more Scots will consider their own relationship with nature, become encouraged to visit the wilder parts of Scotland for themselves the route links into the West Highland Way, for example and be inspired to think about how they can contribute towards creating a more sustainable Scotland.
At the very least the walk will be a useful resource for our growing elderly population and for those younger people seeking to keep fit.
Mr Crumley’s idea that Muir should be honoured by establishing a John Muir Chair of Nature Writing is a welcome contribution to honouring the legacy of a Scot who is still better appreciated abroad than he is at home. But Muir should be for the many, and not just the few.
The John Muir Trust, the Ramblers’ Association and Cameron McNeish have all voiced support for the proposal and we hope the route will encourage many more Scots to appreciate the natural beauty of our country, beginning on their own doorsteps.
After all, the longest journey begins with the smallest step.
Keith Geddes.Chairman,Central Scotland Green Network Partnership Board.
Certainly no love lost with Lovelock
Sir, – James Lovelock, the climate scientist renowned for his 1970s prediction of a new ice age and his 1990s prediction of global warming, now admits the latter claim was ”alarmist”.
Along with Al Gore, he predicted the imminent collapse of civilisation, the death of billions and the few surviving human breeding pairs existing only in the Arctic.
By 2040 no food would be grown in Europe, where the summers would regularly reach 120F, and the Sahara would have extended across the Mediterranean to Paris and Berlin.
Lovelock claimed that all oceanic cities such as London, New York, Sydney and Tokyo would be flooded while Florida, central Scotland and virtually every Pacific island would be gone for good.
This was swallowed hook, line and sinker by the green community and when scientists dismissed such ravings as utter tosh they were denounced as ‘deniers’.
Sadly it is rather late in the day to rein back alarmism because it has infected our political class who are dashing for wind rather than securing a future of cheap and reliable energy.
Dr John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Nothing wrong with a ‘slum’
Sirs, – Jenny Marra says Lochee was a bustling community with a heart and soul. Too true.
The Hawkhill, where I was brought up, was even more bustling with more heart and soul. At least, that’s my opinion.
I’m as proud of my Hawkhill upbringing as she is of hers and George Galloway is of his Lochee heritage.
The point is Atholl Street was a slum, as was the Pennycook Lane tenement I arrived at from the DRI maternity ward.
Like so many others, my parents worked in the jute mills. Willie Walker, in his work Juteopolis, says: “The Jute Trade Board’s wage determinations, along with those of flax, were the lowest at present sanctioned by any trade board”.
Of course, the Dundee private landlord had only one answer to low wages cheap, meaning shoddy, housing.
Never was a Courier Today’s Text more apposite: “To your goodness add knowledge.”
Ian Leggat.30 Seymour Street,Dundee.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Sir, – A programme on Suzanne Pilley’s murder reveals the UK has more ”spy” cameras than any other European country.
If one is doing nothing wrong, I appreciate there is nothing to fear, but just why are the British people under so much covert surveillance and can the ”monitors” be trusted?
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
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. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.