Sir, – Despite all the death and destruction wildlife has already endured this year, shooters are preparing to take to the moorlands once again to blast gentle birds out of the sky.
The “Glorious Twelfth” – or the “Inglorious Twelfth”, as it should rightly be named – marks the start of the red grouse shooting season, during which hundreds of thousands of grouse will be shot and killed in the name of sport.
The bloodshed isn’t limited to grouse, either.
Earlier this year, three gamekeepers were suspended after reportedly killing a goshawk, one of the UK’s rarest birds of prey, in an illegal trap on the Queen’s Goathland Estate.
Other raptors – such as hawks, falcons, and buzzards – have been poisoned and killed in an effort to “protect” the grouse just long enough for them to be shot.
Turning sentient beings into living targets for the perverted pleasure of gunning them down is detestable.
Hunting has no place in modern Britain, and it is high time we said, “No more.”
Jennifer White.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals,
London.
‘Contrived dangers’ a risk to schools’ return
Sir, – It didn’t take parents long during lockdown to become aware that their children needed to go back to school for the sake of their sanity as much as their education.
This was later confirmed by studies north and south of the border which found that over one-third of children had been profoundly lonely during lockdown.
The fact is that schools are places of sanctuary, friendship and learning.
They are not petri dishes of a Covid-19 dystopia as the teaching unions insist.
One despairs of the lengths to which their leaders will go to frustrate what is seen as a moral duty by both the public and government: a full return of our children to school.
The private sector moved seamlessly to online lessons.
But unions undermined the scheme in state schools with contrived “dangers”.
They are now crafting absurd demands for opening schools (eg safe zones for breastfeeding teachers to express milk) while most of Europe followed the science and kept schools open.
Dr John Cameron.
10 Howard Place,
St Andrews.
Discarded mask is a biohazard
Sir, – I am sick fed up of seeing abandoned face masks all over Perth.
Not only outside supermarkets, but in main streets in the city.
Are people that selfish, irresponsible and stupid that they just throw away their masks on the street?
It is absolutely disgusting in the middle of a pandemic. Any of those mask owners could have Covid-19 and are putting people at risk.
People who behave like this should be arrested and charged with biological terrorism.
Gordon Kennedy.
Simpson Square,
Perth.
Congestion nightmare
Sir, – It is with some dismay but not complete surprise that I read about the watering down of initial proposals designed to make St Andrews a more pleasant and safe environment for both its residents and visitors (Public outcry sees ‘no cars’ move scrapped, Courier, August 11).
Merchants seem to think that without unlimited access for cars they won’t get any trade.
However, St Andrews with vehicles at busy periods, in my view, can be a congested nightmare.
Pedestrians and cyclists seem to be forgotten by the merchants.
I’m not against the need for parking for anyone who has genuine difficulties.
But the majority of car users could, I’m sure, park a bit further out with the exercise doing them some good as well as reducing the stress they must experience in trying to find a parking space.
Parking further out would allow shoppers more time as well compared to the restricted parking times in the town centre.
I would like to know what solution the merchants have ever tried to develop to make St Andrews a cleaner and safer environment?
Patrick Marks.
St Andrews.
Will city council punish itself?
Sir, – Magdalen Green is Dundee’s oldest park but today it is a sorry sight.
In a conservation area, with a bandstand given Listed Building status in 1986, it deserves better care than to be left with long grass and weeds around the perimeter.
The daffodils will not survive, and the “wildflowers” being promised will only grow where they are planted.
In 1582, “The Town Council enacted measures for the punishment of those who encroached upon the Green, and for the restoration of the parts destroyed” (The Magdalen Green, James A Rollo).
I wonder if Dundee City Council will now punish itself for the wanton vandalism it has committed?
Sandra McDowall.
Seafield Road,
Dundee.
From the eyes of an immigrant
Sir, – How bad is our life that we cling to a boat,
With all we possess and hope we just float,
To a country that helps and brings us on board,
With comfort and food, stuff that we can’t afford.
Will the country we land in have arms open wide?
To welcome us in with some help to provide.
Or will they chastise us for trying our best,
To improve our existence by being their guest.
To some we’re not welcome, we’re sorry I’m sure,
But the country we left is bereft and is poor,
There’s war and there’s terror, famine and drought
That’s why we seek succour, that’s why we want out.
We’ll work to earn money, to repay our keep,
If you give us a roof, under where we can sleep.
To help raise our families and bring them up well,
To know where we came from our story to tell,
Of the kindness this country put into our life,
Helping us to survive our historical strife.
Our families are young and cannot comprehend,
Of the fear and the horror we’ve had to attend,
Just to get them to safety, and out of our hell,
Just to get them to comfort, bid our old life farewell.
Stephen Caldwell.
Bankton Park,
Kingskettle, Fife.
