On the agenda today: the ‘folly’ of global warming theory, the Postcode Lottery, an interesting road observation, the dangers of slow driving, Scotland’s beavers, and praise for the paperboys (and girls).
Never mind polar bears, what about old folk?
Sir, – If the last few days of Arctic conditions are not enough to convince people of the complete folly of the global warming theory, I don’t know what is.
We won’t have to worry about the polar bear shortly; well, we might, but it won’t be about their survival so much as how to avoid them on the way to Tesco.
I am sure there will be a multitude of replies telling me about drought in Africa and how I am destroying the planet driving my car. I have no doubt the same lot would complain about the methane gas my team of huskies would produce!
Here’s a thought: let’s start a new adoption charity. Never mind tigers or bears, what about British pensioners freezing to death through fuel poverty? Maybe that is a little too close to the truth for them.
Bill Duthie.25 St Fillans Road,Dundee.
WWF’s gratitude for lottery cash
Sir, – It was with much pleasure I recently read that the People’s Postcode Lottery has reached the milestone of raising over £10 million for charity in just three years.
Earlier this year WWF Scotland was nominated as a charity partner of the People’s Postcode Lottery and we have so far received over £87,000.
This money is invaluable in helping us continue our important work in tackling climate change and protecting the natural world.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who plays the game and helps raise such valuable sums for WWF and other Scottish charities.
Dr Richard Dixon.Director, WWF Scotland.
Ye’ll tak’ the wide lane…
Sir, – Much has been made of the ongoing regeneration of Dundee’s waterfront, with the opulent Kengo Kuma-designed V&A presumably standing as the jewel in the crown once the dust settles.
How glorious Dundee will be in the eyes of the international community for having had the visionary powers to bring such a prize to its shores!
However, before any visitor driving into the city from the south could reach the V&A, he or she would have to negotiate the newly-reconstituted exit ramps of the Tay road bridge, and perhaps enjoy a little road rage to start their trip off on the wrong foot.
You see, the newly-reconstituted Tay road bridge ramp has an intriguing feature — the two lanes are of different widths, presumably the result of some ‘guesstimation’ on the back of a fag packet. This produces the interesting result from time to time of a large lorry or similar driving down the narrower right-hand lane with its wheels a foot or two into the wider left-hand lane, with fierce braking and horn-honking being the usual result.
I need hardly say that painting the lanes of equal width would not constitute rocket science, and one wonders what sort of wonky-sided job may be made of the V&A if a similar approach is adopted.
Iain Mitchell.Hawkhill, Dundee.
Dangerous slowcoaches
Sir, – Councillor Rodger (November 25) might be better campaigning for stricter testing of drivers when they reach 70 and at regular intervals thereafter.
I have travelled the Standing Stane regularly and inevitably hold-ups are caused by drivers going too slowly. Is the councillor really saying we should all go at a speed dictated by drivers who cannot go above 40mph or less?
I can just imagine the queues of traffic snaking along between Kirkcaldy and Leven, held up by drivers who are going slowly probably because they cannot see too well.
Up to one in three drives with defective eyesight. Can I also suggest it is this type of driver who is at risk of a bad overtaking manoeuvre?
Many slower drivers take umbrage when someone tries to overtake. They speed up and it is this which is dangerous, not the overtaking.
John Montgomery.24 March Crescent,Cellardyke.
Aren’t beavers protected?
Sir, – Only today I learned with great excitement and delight that there are free-living beavers established in the Tay catchment area. Almost at the same time, however, I heard that Scottish Natural Heritage — the tax-payer funded quango charged with the duty of protecting our wildlife — wants to get rid of them.
They are supposed to be going to trap and relocate them but there is no guarantee they won’t be killed.
This is the same SNH that is spending about £2 million of our money on a trial to reintroduce beavers in Argyll.
One has to wonder if it’s the sheer embarrassment suffered by SNH, that some smart beavers have managed to set up home for themselves, without government subsidy — or indeed a licence — that is the reason for this intended action? Whatever the reason, they have kept very quiet about it.
This being a free-living bunch of beavers, they almost certainly come under the European Habitat Directive 1992, which means that interfering with them would be a wildlife crime. I wonder if SNH have thought of that?
The European beaver is a splendid animal and we are very lucky some have decided to come and live in Strathtay. It would be an outrage for them to be culled, simply because they were not brought here by government decree.
David Grant.Balintore Cottage, Kirriemuir.
Paperboys show true grit!
Sir, – No bin men, no postie, no gritters, no transport, industry all but grinding to a halt and then … a paperboy delivering a welcome newspaper.
Thank you, paperboys everywhere!
Barbara Sturrock.12 Invergowrie Drive,Dundee.
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.