Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – As a former chair of Elmwood College with many years on the management committee, recent articles and talk of mergers with other colleges saddens me.
Before the Tories did the great disservice of taking colleges out of local authority control, Fife had four admired colleges under Fife Regional Council.
All excelled in their specialities and, although I may be biased, I thought Elmwood was easily the best.
The college was internationally renowned with farming courses based on our own farm to give hands-on experience in agricultural education.
The greenkeeping courses attracted students worldwide and Elmwood had strong links to China before the country gained its present economic strength.
Fife Region’s education service gave substantial financial support to the college which allowed a full restoration of Elmwood House and an extension of the range of course provision.
The only group to vote against that plan were Lib Dems.
Elmwood then expanded into catering courses plus high quality hairdressing backed by Charlie Taylor.
My greatest pride was special learning needs education where boundaries were stretched well beyond the supposed capabilities that had limited the students in the past.
The progress intellectually, vocationally and in sport enhanced Elmwood’s unique identity. I just hope that the financial needs playing a part in merger proposals do not overwhelm all the wonderful achievements of the college.
Agnes Joyce Smith.4 Lime Grove,Methil.
Omitted to mention wind turbines
Sir, – I was very heartened to read your lengthy article entitled ”A lek at the future but only for early birds” (May 4) on local black grouse conservation measures and to note that they receive ”publicly funded advice and support”.
Black game are indeed an iconic species and do indeed require ”low levels of depredation and disturbance to survive” as stated by Dr Adam Smith of GWCT.
I would like, however, to highlight some information missing from your article.
Despite the laudable expressions of support for this species from the land owner and his statement that ”the hills need management or they will turn green or to forest and all the wildlife will die”, he omitted to mention his planning application for a windfarm on Connachan Hill (or Mull Hill the name misleadingly used by the developer), consisting of nine turbines, two of which are planned to be sited immediately adjacent to the very blackcock leks mentioned in the article!
The title maybe should have read ”A lek at the future but not for long” as these iconic birds will definitely be disturbed and displaced, if not worse, by this industrial development, were it to go ahead.
I very much hope that the decision-makers at all levels will throw out this application as they did previously and that the black grouse thrive undisturbed on Connachan Hill.
Maureen Beaumont.Foulford,by Crieff.
Just what are the criteria?
Sir, – I read Robert McNeil’s recent column and noticed his mischievous remark about Perth being a ”village-sized city”.
By Jings! He’ll catch it for that!
I certainly wouldn’t have aired my doubts before Perth’s ”city” decision was made but as a native of Glasgow and having a Glaswegian’s fellow-feeling for Dundee, both real cities, I wonder about such city status for in Glasgow parlance a ”wee totey toon” like Perth.
I like Perth and wish the town well but the old criteria for city status were the possession of a university, a cathedral, or both. Perth has neither (though it certainly has a City Hall!). It may be that historicity is now the criterion. If so, where does that leave Dunfermline or Arbroath?
Size can’t be the standard, for both Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy are bigger than Perth and my much-loved Glenrothes with its contiguous communities is bigger than either of those.
Away from Fife, how would a campaign for city status for Paisley (which has both an abbey and a uni and is far bigger than Perth), East Kilbride or Livingston be received?
I don’t think that question needs an answer and I certainly wish Perth all the best and hope that its city status will indeed bring some practical benefit.
James Thomson.14 Vardon Drive,Glenrothes.
Pick up Bibles, not rocks
Sir, – It was with dismay that I read of the damage done to Methven Church (Courier, May 16). It is at the centre of the village and is the gathering centre for Presbyterians who worship there.
Surely both the village and its Christian community reflect the value they place upon the church and should be free to do so without such wanton vandalism proving to be such a costly and disturbing distraction.
Might those responsible for the damage change their attitude and their ways if they had the courage to put down their rocks, take up their Bibles and attend at least one Sunday service?
Or is that asking for too much?
Alan Livingstone.Conservative Councillor, Almond and Earn.
Tourist centre
Sir, – Now the fate of Perth’s City Hall has been decided we have been presented with a wonderful chance to create a very fine tourist information centre.
This could cover not just Perth and Perthshire but the whole of Scotland.
Perhaps the Phoenix Trust and the Gannochy Trust could help with cost?
Flora Kirkland.Oaklands, Perth.
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.