Sir, I was surprised to read about the conclusions of the recent Quality of Life Survey, and that we in Fife live in one of the supposed worst areas of the UK. Having lived in Sutton Coldfield, an affluent part of the West Midlands (like Solihull) for more than 40 years and now living in north-east Fife, my conclusions are very different. We are very happy here. People are friendly, and we have been made really welcome by our neighbours.
We find that this is a very sunny area, with far better weather than in the West Midlands. Although there is a shorter growing season here, our garden plants and trees are growing well. Perhaps this is due to the sunshine and cleaner air in Fife.
Lack of noise, no light pollution and less traffic are other benefits. Easy access to the sea, the countryside and the mountains is wonderful. This is very different from going shopping to the Touchwood Centre in Solihull and spending hours in a 10-mile jam on the M42, then nowhere to park once you get there.
The health service is better here. It is easy to get an appointment and we can see the same doctor each time, if necessary. This is very different from the turmoil in the West Midlands.
There are areas of deprivation everywhere, even in Solihull.
As your editorial states, it all depends on what is being measured. However, there is one facility that is lacking and that is broadband provision. Despite writing to BT, OFCOM, my MSP and the community broadband officer for Fife, no one seems able to make any improvements.
However, we do think we have moved to a wonderful part of the UK, despite what the survey may tell us.
Dr David Wall. The Roundel, Morton Farm, Tayport, Fife.
Shameful bedroom tax betrayal
Sir, The Courier should be congratulated for being one of the few newspapers (if not the only one) to highlight the shameful absence of Labour MPs from Parliament on the bedroom tax vote.
To have 47 MPs absent from their own motion to scrap the tax must be embarrassing enough for the Labour Party, but when you factor in that many of these well-paid MPs (Gordon Brown, Douglas Alexander, Jim Murphy, Anas Sarwar et al) have been preaching for months about the disastrous effects that the bedroom tax has been having on the poorest members of society, their constituents must be forgiving for wondering what is the point of many of these individuals as MPs if they won’t even turn up to do the job they’re paid for!
Keir Hardie must be spinning in his grave at the thought of his descendants allying themselves withthe Conservatives, and trying to convince us that Scotland is better together with this lot pulling the strings.
R. M. F. Brown. 10 Hill Terrace, Markinch, Fife.
High praise for NHS staff
Sir, The NHS has been receiving much criticism in the media recently. I hope my experience will add some balance.
On Sunday morning I started to get pains in my stomach.
After telephoning NHS 24 an appointment was made with a doctor at Whitehills Hospital, Forfar, where Iwas diagnosed with appendicitis. By 4 pm I was in Ninewells Hospital surgery unit, had my appendix removed on Monday and was discharged the following day.
I have nothing but praise for all staff involved who carried out their various tasks in a very professional, caring and, when required, humorous way.
Thank you all.
Rodney Tunley. Birk Ward, Balmadies, Forfar.
Energy theory blown away
Sir, We do not, and never did, need to ‘godown this path’ of wind power-generated electricity.
Having been prematurely adopted with a rush of blood to political heads with the Climate Change Acts(2008-9), it has become clear that wind “farms”are a broken reed, benefiting only a few developers, landowners and foreign manufacturers.
The heavy bills are being paid for mainly by the fuel and cash poor and our priceless environment suffers, along with our national finances.
The fact our politicians have not reversed this scandalous state of affairs makes clear their unfitness for public office, whether through wilful, crass, ignorance or darkerdefects.
(Dr) Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Rd West, Perth.
Who are the real Scots?
Sir, SNP Councillor David Alexander’s reported ‘supposed Scot’ comments about the Scottish Secretary of State (November 11) comes as no surprise.
In my long experience of the SNP anyone who ponders the demerits of separatism is viewed as non-patriotic. Perhaps Cllr Alexander will avail us of his definition of a real Scot/bad Scot/good Scot/pure Scot and so on.
Joan McEwen. King James VI Building, Hospital Street, Perth.