Sir, – Your headline about the proposed demolition of the former Auchtergaven and Moneydie Church, Bankfoot, which was badly damaged by fire, comes as no surprise.
It had been talked about in Bankfoot for some time. However, confirmation of its demise will be met with sadness, especially among the older generation who have lived in the old kirk’s shadow.
It is they, not the younger generation, who are the mainstay of the congregation at the new church centre, built to replace the old kirk.
I, as an older resident, treasure a painting by a local artist of the building in its former glory.
Around 200 years of history rests with the former church.
It was built at a time when there were many churches and chapels in the parish and people still paid homage at a pagan well.
It is sad that plans for the kirk to be partly restored never bore fruit.
Some argue that the kirk should have been rebuilt but it should also be remembered that a church is but wood, stone and glass and Christianity is found in the community and demonstrated by how we treat each other.
Thomas Brown.
3 Church Place,
Bankfoot.
Time to revive Dundee fountain
Sir, – Dundonians are understandably excited by the developing Waterfront masterplan.
This extends not just to the extremely impressive V&A project but also the other new cultural and leisure facilities.
These include the architectural tradition of enhancing city squares with beautiful fountains, two of which have been planned for the development.
But in among all this exciting new work, let’s not neglect our social and architectural history.
We already have another elegant little fountain adorning the area beside Discovery Point.
It was donated to the city by one of our Lord Provosts, William Longair, who held the position between 1905 and 1908 and who was also Lord Lieutenant of Dundee.
But for some reason, this fountain appears to have been neglected by the powers that be, and I have never seen it actually flowing. Why not?
Do those who are involved in the masterplan know of its existence?
Is there any plan to polish it up and get it working again?
Given the range and importance of social and cultural inputs into the whole riverside venture, and yet the apparent neglect of this small monument, could someone please discover the fountain again and get it up and flowing with real water?
Maybe our present Lord Provost, Bob Duncan, could lead this request and show our gratitude to one of his predecessors for his classic gift to the city.
And maybe someone could tell us what is the meaning behind the fountain’s small angelic figure holding what looks like a dolphin?
Mona Clark.
9 Millbay Terrace,
Dundee.
Marginalised are rising up
Sir, – Although I was a Hillary Clinton supporter, I can understand why so many voted for Donald Trump.
Globalisation and the worldwide rise of a political elite has marginalised people.
In Europe we have created a bureaucracy that is run and controlled by individuals who are unelected and yet who can dictate, or at least significantly influence, policy.
Member states of the European Union have lost sovereignty and cultural identities have been threatened.
Some have said that there is a common denominator between Brexit and the American landslide victory for Donald Trump. I believe this is true.
In Britain, in America and elsewhere, people are tired of a political class telling them that they know what’s best for them. People have become wise to the political class that governs every aspect of their lives and they want change.
Brexit and the American election will likely inspire others to stand against the established political classes and against the status quo.
Sadly, political elitism is as solidly established here in Scotland as in any other place.
Bill Davis.
Reres Road,
Broughty Ferry.
SNP not stronger for Scotland
Sir, – It has not been a good time of late for the SNP.
On BBC’s Question Time programme, MP Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh claimed she was there representing Scotland, only to be corrected by David Dimbleby that she was there representing the SNP, not Scotland.
Mhairi Black MP then confessed that she held her nose while voting Remain in the EU referendum.
Then there was another admission that SNP MPs must toe the party line, and Nicola Sturgeon openly displayed her support for Hillary Clinton in the US presidential election before being forced to eat humble pie after Donald Trump’s emphatic victory.
Ms Sturgeon’s statement that the results of the US election must be respected collectively angered everyone who voted against separation from the UK in the 2014 Scottish referendum and those who voted for Brexit.
It is clear that Nicola Sturgeon is out of her depth as Scottish First Minister.
It is clear the SNP is not stronger for Scotland as it astonishingly claims it is.
Nine SNP MPs were among the top 10 highest claimers of Westminster expenses in 2016.
MPs and MSPs will not, or cannot, go against the party line and Ms Sturgeon has previously stated that gaining Scottish independence is more important than the economy.
This all proves that the SNP is not stronger for Scotland.
Kevin Reilly.
11 Dover Way,
Dunfermline.