Today our correspondents discuss military co-operation, road upgrades and poor driving, the martyr Paul Craw, a scheme to save Dundee FC and an inspirational speaker.
UK has always relied on military co-operation Sir, Your correspondent, Robert Anderson of Arbroath (November 4) expresses his concern about Britain’s ability to defend its own interests being restricted by co-operation with France.
To my mind, this letter loses sight of a crucial point, perhaps obscured by the flag which it is so furiously waving, that it is a long time since Britain has been in a position to act independently in a military capacity.
We were dependent on continental manpower to act in our interest in the 18th and 19th centuries and dependent on American firepower in the 20th century.
While Britain may have “stood alone” in 1940, (and Poles would have a case to dispute that) it had not triumphed alone since long before then.
If we have to depend upon France for the next imagined Falklands war, then it may compromise our independence but it will not be an historical novelty.
In fact, our last direct co-operation with France well illustrates our long-standing dependence. When our mutual interests took us to Suez in 1956, the fact it did not coincide with American interests meant the rug was swiftly pulled from under us.
Stephen Connor.Ul. Hlonda 2/36,Warsaw.
Pandering to poor drivers
Sir, The proposal by Angus Council to spend £3m on by-passing the Big Tree section of the A92 between Montrose and Arbroath is to be deplored for several reasons.
First, there is nothing wrong with the current road. Thousands have driven over this stretch of road with no untoward event befalling them.
It is the drivers who crash who are at fault and usually, I suspect, by travelling too fast.
A much cheaper and more effective solution would be to install average-speed cameras before and after this section and to prosecute rigorously any offenders.
The idea of taking good agricultural land out of production is ridiculous and hard to understand considering the council’s attitude to applications to take a bit of a field into a garden, or to build a house in the country on what is not good growing land.
Lastly, in the current economic climate, it is lunacy to spend this amount of money on a project like this.
I am sure that there are many other more deserving recipients for our taxes.
John Dorward.89 Brechin Road,Arbroath.
Case for Martyr Craw
Sir, Could I point out that the Martyrs’ Monument in St Andrews (November 2) commemorates Patrick Hamilton, Henry Forrest, Walter Myln and George Wishart, but not Paul Craw.
The last, a visitor from what is now the Czech Republic, predated the others by a century, although suffering the same fate for the heresy of being a Hussite.
However, that is not to say that Craw’s death should not also be marked at the Martyrs’ Monument, as he, too, was a reformer.
Jane Ann Liston.5 Whitehill Terrace,Largo Road,St Andrews.
Issue shares to rescue Dee
Sir, I have seen mention, in recent weeks, of Dundee Football Club fans being asked to dip their hands in to their pockets to donate funds to help the club out of its present financial troubles.
When I was of school age, I used to go to Dens Park every week for home games and reserve games.
I no longer attend matches, in fact, I haven’t for years. My last match was the Dundee against Aberdeen Coca Cola Cup final in the 1990s.
However, I like to see both Dundee teams getting on and retain a soft spot for the Dee. My suggested solution to Dundee’s woes may be seen as simplistic but I think it should be explored.
There is a lot of goodwill towards the club in the city and among the Dundee diaspora. Many comments in the media refer to the benefit of more community involvement in local clubs.
As mentioned above, why should fans be asked to donate cash for, possibly, no return, if the club is dissolved?
My suggestion is that interested parties be offered an individual share in the club for say, £30.
If there were 10,000 people buying a share, this would bring in £300,000, which would go a long way to resolve the current financial crisis and would mean that the club is no longer the sole property of a financial benefactor but would be owned by the community.
I would be prepared to gamble £30 to save the club, knowing that, as an individual shareholder, I would have a say in how the club was run. I am sure that many other Dundonians would feel the same.
If enough individuals bought a £30 share in Dundee FC, we would have a community-owned club. Too simple?
Brian Massie.Commercial Street,Dundee.
Inspired by speaker
Sir, I attended the awards ceremony of Dundee College on Friday, November 5, in Caird Hall, Dundee, where the speaker was Dr Peter Hughes, chief executive of Scottish Engineering.
The way he presented himself was truly inspirational. He is full of zest, not only for life but for work, and imparted his strong work ethic to each and every one of us in the hall.
His 45-minute presentation should be part of every school curriculum.
Pat Drummond.15 MacKenzie Street,Carnoustie.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL.