This morning’s letters turn attention to Dundee University’s conservation studio, the future of Scottish football, rail concessions and tidal power.
Save city’s nationally important book studio Sir,-I was dismayed to learn that the University of Dundee Book and Paper Conservation Studio may well be one of the casualties in the proposed cutbacks.
The Book and Paper Conservation Studio should be cherished as a unique asset with ever-expanding potential.
Working with private customers, as well as with national and international organisations on conservation projects and providing specialist training opportunities for international|interns are just some examples of its growing portfolio of activities.
Such activities are examples of entrepreneurism.
As we all know, entrepreneurism and enterprise is increasingly recognised as central to university growth.
With its established national reputation, and its fast-growing international one, the studio is uniquely placed to carve out untapped markets and create new partnerships which could bring considerable prestige to Dundee.
Looking to the future, it is important not to forget that the £42 million outpost of the Victoria and Albert Museum planned for Dundee waterfront has the very real potential to offer new, exciting opportunities or, to use management speak, spin-offs for the studio.
The nature of the work carried out at the studio, essentially preserving our local and national heritage for future generations, cannot be overestimated.
Indeed, with the Book and Paper Conservation Studio on campus, Dundee University can proudly boast that it not only creates new knowledge but, equally importantly, it plays a vital role in preserving our cultural artefacts.
I am sure many would agree that to erode, or lose, such an important local and national asset would be unforgivably short-sighted.
Mr P. O’Donnell.66 Riverside Road,Wormit.
Football needs urgent reforms
Sir,-In the wake of former First Minister Henry McLeish’s report on the future of Scottish football which has deja vu and politicians’ favourite hobby of throwing money at the problem as the core themes, let’s have a look at the facts as far as the game in Scotland is concerned.
Last Saturday, with our only two really major clubs playing next day, 18 games took place in our four leagues.
The total attendance was 45,287, which is fewer than Celtic or Rangers attract on the average match day in mid-season, and 7000 fewer than Newcastle United had at St James’ Park that day.
The top crowd in Scotland was Hearts against Motherwell at 13,447 and the average over the 18 games was a mere 2383.
Our clubs have now developed delusions of grandeur by paying transfer fees for, and wages to, players which bear no relationship to what clubs can afford and what these players are worth.
To achieve this, admission prices to grounds have rocketed.
Many youngsters who seem good enough to play at a reasonable level are disillusioned early in their careers by their clubs bringing in second, or even third, rate players from abroad.
We must try ruling the game with one authority rather than the mess of committees at present.
Clubs must be required to sign Scottish players and coach them.
There must be a maximum wage, with clubs who can afford it paying bonuses for success in league and cup competitions.
Put the money earned from television into paying for places where youngsters can play and provide professionals to teach them the game.
Farm out young players, signed by bigger clubs, to smaller clubs while they learn their trade.
If something really drastic isn’t done, the game in Scotland will go even further into recession than it already has and there is not that much further to go.
Ian Wheeler.Springfield,Fife.
Rethink rail concessions
Sir,-In relation to the withdrawal of the rail concession facility for the elderly, why do Fife Council not consider the policy adopted by Falkirk Council, where the concession is confined to internal journeys such as Falkirk, Polmont and Larbert on weekdays but extended to allow travel to Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh at weekends?
Surely it is worth considering the reinstatement of the Fife concession to include travel to Perth, Dundee and Edinburgh at weekends.
Nearly all the people affected have paid dearly for everything during their lifetime, so surely they are entitled to some reward.
John McDonald.14 Rosebery Court,Kirkcaldy.
Investigate tidal power
Sir,-Having followed the debate in your letters column on the subject of wind turbines at Dundee docks, the only comment that I thought valid was regarding the use of water turbines.
This type of turbine has successfully been installed in an American city with a fast-flowing river. I believe this was shown in a television documentary.
The principle is the same as a wind turbine, except it uses the flow of water to turn the turbine and thus produce electricity.
These turbines are not a great size and are apparently easy to install. They also have the advantage of not being visible as they are sited under water.
Dundee has the opportunity to exploit this system as it too has a fast-flowing river ideal for a project of this type.
I urge the powers-that-be in the city not to be short-sighted and to look to the constant flow of the river and not intermittent wind to power Dundee’s proposed turbines.
John Langley.6 Keillor Croft,Kellas.