Sir, – As a St Andrean born and bred, I have always been proud of the venerable Holy Trinity church, which I attended as a Sunday school pupil and later member, under the benevolent guidance of the late Rev Charles Armour. In particular I was impressed by the thought of John Knox dominating from the pulpit as he preached his powerful message that brought about the Reformation.
But the church’s influence has lessened considerably from those heady days of the 15th Century. Like many other congregations, the members of Holy Trinity have been working hard to increase dwindling attendances.
The church organ, one of the finest in Scotland, has recently been refurbished at a cost of £50,000, and a service for younger members is held before the main Sunday worship.
Now however the Kirk authorities refuse to permit Holy Trinity to upgrade the toilets to modern requirements, despite the congregation being prepared to pay the costs.
To add insult to injury, one of the main reasons for deciding Holy Trinity is redundant to requirements is a lack of upgraded toilet facilities.
Meanwhile, in the same edition of the Courier, a former Toys ‘R’ Us store in Dundee looks likely to have its application for a revamp as an activity centre approved.
Even if the local presbytery do not wish the St Andrews Holy Trinity to continue as a place of worship, it stands as a building of immense historical interest.
Perhaps it might be saved by painting it in lurid colours and calling it HYMNS ‘R’ US!
Norman Allan.
21 Stratheden Road,
Broughty Ferry.
Did Sturgeon get different advice?
Sir, – I am a little puzzled by the reasons behind Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement on restrictions for gatherings of more than 500 people in Scotland while the rest of the UK has decided against it at this time.
For me it raises a number of questions and doubts.
Why did she choose to pre-empt the UK prime minister’s Cobra decision and diverge from actions taken by the rest of the UK?
Was this some sort of nationalist statement of independence by presenting Scotland as different to the rest of the UK and following actions taken by EU countries?
If it was a decision made purely on medical advice, should we not be told by Scotland’s chief medical officer why she has given different advice than that given by the chief medical officers in England, Northern Ireland and Wales?
Or is this an admission that despite previous statements of superiority, under SNP governance the NHS and emergency services in Scotland are less able to cope than their counterparts in the rest of the UK?
At times such as these transparency and confidence in the government making decisions for the right reasons are vitally important and we must be told.
Paul Lewis.
99 Guardwell Crescent,
Edinburgh.
Covid-19 shows union’s strength
Sir, – If coronavirus has demonstrated one thing, it is that a strong central authority in a substantial area is the effective way of dealing with it.
In their different ways, China and Italy are exemplars of that.
In the UK, it is the same.
Ms Sturgeon may like to give an impression of authority, but in reality she is just the messenger, delivering the analysis and decisions of the UK Government. That is just as it should be.
Jill Stephenson.
Glenlockhart Valley,
Edinburgh.
Johnsonian bluster on virus
Sir, – William Loneskie is surely clutching at straws when he proposes “the four nations of the UK working together” to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic (The UK working together works, Courier, March 11) proves that Scotland should stay in the Union as it is presently constituted.
For example, when push comes to shove London will always call the shots, there being no more egregious example than English votes taking us out of the EU against our wishes and in flagrant breach of the promises made during the 2014 referendum.
This bravado – by not taking such drastic precautions as Johnny Foreigner, or not so quickly – is typical Johnsonian Anglocentric bluster.
Let’s hope it works, but even if it does it is not an argument against Scottish independence.
After all we have long been told that Scottish doctors, engineers and scientists were amongst the best in the world.
David Roche.
6 Conachar Court,
Perth.
Take it or leave it US trade deal
Sir, – Although coronavirus is the number one priority, we mustn’t forget that talks continue with US negotiators about a trade deal, with outcomes which will affect the country for generations.
Leaked US-UK trade papers confirm ongoing, secret discussions include opening up the NHS, as well as other UK public services, to US corporations, as well as accepting the extension of monopolies for big pharmaceutical companies, which would hugely increase the cost of NHS medicines.
Lower food standards and workers rights is a given.
The ability of corporations to sue our government, for loss of their profits, in secret courts, is generally included in US deals, and is on the table.
The one thing which is off the table is any discussion of “climate change”, which the UK Government declared as an “emergency” less than a year ago but is a deal breaker for the climate- denying US government.
The UK is in a deep hole, with stock markets crashing, world trade heading for recession, on the verge of a no deal with its biggest trading partner, and very little progress on significant deals with anybody else.
The great hope is a deal with the US, but the UK desperately needs a deal, and the US doesn’t.
The negotiations won’t be negotiations: it will be a case of take it or leave it, like it or Trump it.
Les Mackay.
5 Carmichael Gardens,
Dundee.
Austerity will return with SNP
Sir, – I note that the SNP’s Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes is complaining about the decade of austerity imposed by the UK Government.
She obviously has not read the SNP’s Growth Commission’s report which states that an independent Scotland would face 10 years of increased austerity to balance the books.
Mac Roberts.
Orchard Cottage,
Inchture Station.
Scottish roads agenda is potty
Sir, – In the budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £2.5 billion increase for councils to start resurfacing work to roads and repairing and preventing potholes in England.
This will be warmly welcomed by those in England where responsibility for roads and associated spending is devolved so motorists in Scotland will not benefit from this.
The Scottish budget presented by Kate Forbes in February revealed motorway and trunk road spending would be reduced from £833 million to £748m, a drop of £85m.
Next time you hit a pothole don’t blame Westminster or the underfunded Scottish councils. Blame the Scottish Government.
Clark Cross.
138 Springfield Road,
Linlithgow.
