Sir, Upon my retiral from a background which included local government, private construction and self-employment, I thought I might make a contribution to the community as a member of the community council.
I wrote to the then chairman expressing my wish to join the council. The reply I received was a little less than courteous and not in the least encouraging but, never daunted, I set off for my first meeting as a member of the public.
The chairman did inform us no-one could be invited to join unless they had attended three meetings. Not to be put off I attended the prescribed meetings until the third, when I anticipated receiving an invitation to join.
This meeting was sparsely attended so the treasurer took the chair and went through the items on the agenda until any other business, when he announced the co-opting of members.
I noticed the chairman, who joined the meeting late, miming frantic gestures of negativity. The acting chairman hesitated and without making any comment as to action or continuance went on to the next item.
I attended the following meeting only to find the council had “done a runner”. The venue was abandoned without any information. This time I took the hint not to return, my ambitions to volunteer sadly dimmed.
I wrote to the council on their social network page asking where they were, only to be told that as a small band of volunteers they could not do all things correctly. My reply to this was a little critical which may have been the reason for it being deleted from the web page.
That comments can be deleted at the whim of whoever runs the community council web page is extremely alarming, as the denial of any right of reply constitutes bullying.
Alan Bell. Roods, Kirriemuir.
The real villains of the piece
Sir, I share the disappointment with the rest of the Comrie community that Bumblebee Square, as an important amenity and facility for the village, is likely to be no longer available, following the notice to quit by the owners.
However, I think it is important to stress that however upset the village community may be it would be quite wrong to hold the owners to blame.
They acquired the site on the open market and subject to planning restrictions are within their rights to develop the site, however detrimental this may seem to the village.
The real villains of the piece are the local authority and the Scottish Government who have declined to help to acquire this important site.
The village badly needs the open space and amenity which Bumblebee Square provided. There seems to be abundant money, some £300,000 spent on the Core Path between Comrie and Crieff which nobody wants, and while those at Cultybraggan do a good job it has been possible to find hundreds of thousands of pounds for that programme.
Why is there no money for Bumblebee Square?
I do hope that some sense can prevail upon the authorities to take the site into some form of public ownership for the benefit of the Comrie community. The cost should not be enormous.
Robert Gibbons, The Estates Office, Lawers Estate, Comrie.
Unnecessary loss of wildlife
Sir, Some years ago I wrote a letter to The Courier saying how sad I found it when cycling in the country to see such a lack of wildlife. The situation now is much worse and the main culprit is the car.
As an ex-driving examiner when using the car I signal to approaching fast cars to slow down when there are birds on the road, but they pay no attention to my signals. The result is more deaths of beautiful birds such as cock pheasants, etc.
Neil G Sinclair. New Fleurs, St Martins, Balbeggie.
Famous essay written later
Sir, In a recent Courier leader dealing with Andrew Carnegie and his wealth you wrote: “In 1868 at the age of 33 he wrote ‘The Gospel of Wealth’, an article which proclaimed the rich should use their wealth to improve society.”
However, Andrew Carnegie wrote his famous essay in 1889 when he was one of the richest men in the world at the age of 53. In it he wrote: “the man who dies rich dies in disgrace”.
Andrew Carnegie was not a Christian believer. He was a very staunch republican who did not believe in having Kings and Queens and Lords.
Ron Smith. 14 Reid Street, Dundee.
Grateful for RSNO tickets
Sir, We would like to thank the couple who donated to us their tickets for the recent Courier-supported RSNO concert.
We listened to beautiful music played by an orchestra that we have enjoyed for the past 25 years.
Dundee is lucky to have access to such great musicians.
Wolfgang and Alison Jabs. The Hawthorns, Kirkton of Balmerino.
Scottish navy might help
Sir, The latest comments by Lord Bramall, former Chief of Defence, an ex-Field Marshall, in that there are not enough ships in the Royal Navy, should not come as any surprise to any of us.
The main cause for the problem being the “enemy” in Westminster that continues to dismantle all three services with the wielding of the Con/Dem,and previous Labour, “austerity axe”.
As an ex-RN serviceman I feel that it is a shame to see the service being demolished in such a way.
No aircraft carrier, as yet, 19 fighting ships and a hotch-potch of smaller vessels, (supposedly left to defend our coastline), continually poking, (albeit on Westminster’s behalf), our noses into other countries’ affairs, (sometimes with no legitimate reason), on a global basis.
Perhaps an independent Scotland could help out, with a smaller defence force protecting Scotland, (rather than scurrying to every whim of the US and others who want us to get involved in other areas).
I’m sure this would relieve some of the headache that Lord Bramall is experiencing about the rest of the UK, by allowing the RN to keep what ships they have, to defend the smaller sector of their realm,while an independent Scotland produce the small fleet they require for the defence of our independent Scottish sector.
Bob Harper. 63a Pittenweem Road, Anstruther.
Effective action required now
Sir, With regards to escalating electricity and gas costs it appears, certainly to this consumer, that the Government is acting in a consultancy capacity at a time when “effective executive action” is urgently required.
Although there are distinct benefits to gained from a quantified degree of privatisation, it is imperative that the nation’s priority utilities be nationalised and the government in power held directly responsible for supply and cost.
Kenneth Miln. 22 Fothringham Drive, Monifieth.
Far too many dogs in UK
Sir, Regular articles regarding dog nuisance (barking/fouling) would seem to be further evidence (if any were needed) that there are far too many dogs in this country. The Courier tells us there are eight million in the UK which is a preposterous number. Other European countries apparently have the same problems.
If there are eight million owners that means they are a powerful group in our society and that, no doubt, will have politicians nervous with regard to bringing in legislation. We need brave people in office who are not afraid to address the problem which even many of the dog owners themselves admit needs to be tackled.
Can I suggest: microchipping; a substantial annual licence (£200 – £300); licence collars; all boarding kennels and breeding facilities to be inside facilities, with effective soundproofing; and police to start issuing barking fines.
Laws should also be introduced to make it a crime to leave a dog unattended in a house or garden alone and there should be a ban on dogs being on sports fields. Fenced off areas should be created within our parks for dog walking only. This would leave all other public areas out of bounds. New housing developments should only get planning permission if they are to be dog free.
T Percy. Camphill Road, Broughty Ferry.
Glad eyesore has gone
Sir, I was delighted to see the pictures of the Hilton Hotel on Dundee’s waterfront being demolished.
I have always thought that it was a real eyesore and spoiled the ambience of the whole area.
It looked like a cross between an East European block of flats thrown up in a hurry after the war, and a prison block. Thank goodness it’s away.
W Graham Watson. 20 Spoutwells Drive, Scone.
Pupils a credit to everyone
Sir, As one of the tour guides at Verdant Works I wish to record my appreciation of meeting pupils and staff from Fintry Primary School Dundee who visited the Museum recently.
The pupils were impeccably behaved and displayed a keen intelligence and a sense of humour.
They were a credit to their school and their families.
John Quinn. 11 Alma Terrace, Newport-on-Tay.