Sir, Travelling through Dundee it was wonderful to witness the regeneration at the city’s centre.
Dundonians seem to have a greater pride in their city with the new proposed iconic museum being the icing on the cake.
However, I am puzzled at the naming of such a prestigious and futuristic building after people from a much darker and sombre age.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is hardly representative of a dynamic 21st century city.
Moreover, how exactly does it symbolise the city of Dundee?
A variation on a name such as “Dundee’s Museum of Discovery” or “Endeavour” would be far more appropriate and reflect Dundee’s name more pointedly whenever an image of this exciting new building is shown worldwide when its inauguration takes place.
I have to ask: Given a vote, is this the name Dundonians would have chosen?
Personally, I think it’s dreadful, not to mention insulting.
Robert Gritton. 17 Glen Drive, Dyce, Aberdeen.
This is hardly democratic
Sir,The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is reputed worldwide to be a democratic society in all respects. Citizens are mixed and populate all of the four territories and almost without exception are entitled to hold British passports.
Since the terms, conditions, and procedures to enable this referendum to proceed were drawn up and agreed by the British Prime Minister and First Minister of the devolved parliament of Scotland at that time, the prevailing rhetoric suggests, and it must be assumed, that only those British, Irish and immigrant groups resident in Scottish territory at that time are eligible to vote to retain or split the union (approx. 5 million).
The remaining British/Irish subjects are denied voting on the future composition of the United Kingdom (approx. 65 million). This is hardly democratic. It is discriminating and surely not legal by any stretch of the imagination and therefore the referendum as it stands should have a court injunction placed on it.
All British and Northern Ireland subjects should be entitled to debate and decide upon the future of the United Kingdom, after considering the benefits or otherwise of a united or divided society. If the referendum as it stands is permitted to proceed it will emit odours of apartheid on British soil.
The devolved assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland function very well in dealing with localised issues of these provinces as long as they are not overloaded with costly administrations.
We would do well to remember we are “one big society” and “we are all in it together” to survive the present economic crises, just as we have survived other crises in the past. There is no shame in having a rethink and a U-turn if it benefits all of our people.
D Couch. 62 Park Road, Rosyth.
Slow-moving frustration
Sir Regarding the proposals for average speed cameras on the A9 in an attempt to reduce accidents, my personal experience of traffic on the A9 north of Perth is that the main cause of accidents is slow-moving vehicles.
Slow-moving vehicles create frustration in the long tail of vehicles normally accompanying them, resulting in badly-judged overtaking manoeuvres which would appear to be the main cause of accidents.
If it were technically possible, perhaps minimum speed cameras where fines could be imposed on vehicles travelling at less than an average speed of, say, 45mph would prove better.
Cllr Mac Roberts. Ward 1, Carse of Gowrie, 2 High Street, Perth.
Many benefits for society
Sir, Further to Chris Trotter’s article (August 15), it is not only local farmers and growers who will benefit from a change in shoppers’ mindsets regarding the source, availability and purchase of local produce. Good, nutritious, home-cooked fresh food has many more significant benefits for society.
I recall right throughout childhood my parents insisting on breakfast and dinners being at regular times, the food was always freshly made or cooked and we would all gather around the table to chat about the day. We would leave the table properly fed and also informed having socialised as a family unit.
It still happens today when I visit my parents and my in-laws are the same. We have carried on the practice with our own children.
I anticipate there will be those who argue there was more time available 30 years ago than now to allow this to happen. I disagree. Both my parents and my in-laws worked then and both my wife and I work. It’s about managing work time etc around those meal times.
Poor diet and health also places adverse pressures on NHS resources and funding. If we eat well and healthily it will ease that pressure and perhaps release funds for other important things such as education, transport, etc.
Colin Ip. 23C Fernhill Road, Singapore.