Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – The recent finish to the restoration of the fire-damaged Cutty Sark made me wonder what plans exist for realising the full tourist potential of HMS Unicorn.
From the Dundee Waterfront website I was able to find out nothing.
This remarkable old British-built frigate which is close to being 200 years old has been based in Dundee for the last 137 years. Having been held in reserve and protected from the weather since she was launched, virtually everything about her is original.
Only five other ships in the whole world are thought to be older, but none has required so little replacement of timbers etc.
A similar frigate is berthed at Hartlepool but this vessel has had to be extensively refurbished and was built in India. Showing considerable vision, Hartlepool has made its ship the centre of an entire museum of waterfront activity of the early 18th century, with ample parking for visitors, and this hums with tourists throughout most of the summer months.
Its full shop and busy restaurant appear to be especially profitable.
If berthed in close proximity, Unicorn, Discovery, and the North Car Lightship could form an excellent nucleus for a museum of Dundee’s maritime heritage, including the whaling industry, that would be especially attractive to family visitors from far and wide.
Does anyone know why this opportunity appears to have been totally overlooked?
Brian Lawrenson.51 Bay Road,Wormit.
Effective use of a perishable product
Sir, – Your article on milk wastage interested me. The loss of 360,000 tonnes of milk poured down the drain seems an awful lot.
However, data published by DairyCo Datum UK shows that we produce 13,960,000 tonnes of milk annually so the percentage we waste of this perishable commodity is only 2.6%.
This in my opinion is remarkably efficient when you can use effectively 97.4% of the product which goes ”off” after only a few days. I note that the scientists haven’t given us a solution to the ”problem”.
May I suggest that the waste milk be used as a fertiliser and thus make its carbon footprint zero?
In the good old days it would be put into the pigswill bucket.
The researchers also suggest reducing the amount of chicken to the levels consumed in Japan would reduce carbon emissions.
Don’t they realise the Japanese eat mainly fish and if we were to follow their diet an awful lot of whale meat, endangered tuna, dolphins etc would end up on our plates?
It would be interesting to know just how much energy these scientists used in the making of this report and putting it round all the country’s researchers.
We may well be surprised on the wastage expended on reports which, quite frankly, are not very scientific.
Iain G Richmond.Guildy House,Monikie.
Junior torch carriers
Sir, – Andrew Arbuckle speaks for the majority when he describes the commercialism of the Olympic Torch.
However, in Cupar we have decided to complement the main Torch relay with one of our own, at a greatly reduced cost. Fife Council have provided grant aid towards the event.
Cupar Community Council and Active Schools Fife are organising a junior torch relay, with young people under the age of 16, from local schools and sports clubs involved.
The relay will replicate the main torch route, starting at Duffus Park at 6.30pm and finish in the town’s Haugh Park followed by an evening of games, music and Olympic celebration.
Let us hope this ignites the sporting flames for the next generation. Everyone is welcome along to lend support.
Gina Logan.Cupar and District Community Council.
Trust council to make decision
Sir, – I don’t think that the Perth City Hall should be sold to any developer whatsoever.
If Vivian Linacre and his cronies want it for an indoor market, well rent it to them for a year to see how it goes.
Mind you, going by local rents the rent should be hefty. Still Viv, won’t worry after all he has Perth community at heart!
As for Historic Scotland, it should sling its hook as this is the business of the people paying their taxes here.
By being strong and fair I trust the council to make the right decision for the people it represents.
Jock Nicoll.The Saucher,By Perth.
A job well done
Sir, – The Scottish Government decision to introduce a 50p per unit rate for alcohol will not enjoy the support of all citizens but it has at its heart an aim and ambition to reverse a drink culture that is truly past its sell by date.
This was a good day’s work by our MSPs. I hope they continue to be so radical and progressive
Iain Anderson.41 West End,St Monans.
Equally fair
Sir, – The SNP are convinced their referendum question wording is fair and unbiased when it says: ”Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”
Others disagree and say it predisposes people to vote ”yes”.
If the SNP are so convinced that such wording is fair and unbiased, then they should be able to dull the opposition’s argument by making the question: ”Do you disagree that Scotland should be an independent country?”
(Captain) Ian F McRae.17, Broomwell Gardens,Monikie.
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.