Sir, Jim Crumley (December 18) is spot on with his take on the “de-risking” of the V&A project and has said what many must feel, but we are probably resigned to the fact that another poor decision has done Dundee no favours.
This was a real opportunity for Dundee to undo the planning and architectural disasters of the past and to do so in a spectacular way that would have changed the image of the city in the eyes of the outside world.
A stunning and unique building in a stunning and unique setting has now changed to a stunning building in an ordinary land-based setting. Not quite the same is it?
The powers that be may well try to extol the virtues of the revised plan, but they’re not going to convince me.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to really put Dundee on the map and to make it instantly recognisable.
Jim is right to draw the comparison with Sydney Opera House but I’m afraid that Dundee has missed the chance to bear comparison with a world renowned architectural icon.
How dispiriting for Kengo Kuma to have his creative spirit flattened by short-sightedness. If this had been any other city the money would have been found.
I wonder how great an effort there was to secure the extra funding? What a shame!
Calum Strathie. 4 Tyndall Crescent, Monifieth.
Honours are unnecessary
Sir, Jenny Hjul’s article (December 19) suggested that “our honours system” is attacked as anachronistic, post colonial and class driven but forgot to add overdue for the axe.
It was suggested that it’s saving grace is that it is a great leveller because the do-gooders among the general public deserve their day at the palace, be it Buckingham or Holyrood.
I would put it to her that the people who do good do so because they wish to do so and would continue with their activities without the existence of an honours system.
If she had taken the trouble to analyse the various recipients of knighthoods for example she would have found that apart from a few sports people the majority were given to ex-public schoolboys and products of the Oxbridge fraternity.
In addition they were mainly reserved for business leaders, high churchmen of the church of England, chief constables and other senior public servants.
The vast majority of the ordinary public receive the lower orders of OBE,MBE and CBE proving that the system is class-based and is being preserved at all costs to flatter those who yearn for a title of some kind to boost their egos and enable them, by their way of thinking, to stand out from the crowd.
Allan A MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.
Shout loud enough and . . .
Sir, It has been amusing over the past few days watching MPs jumping to the defence of a government minister accused of swearing at a police officer.
The minister admits he swore at the officer, but there is some ambiguity about the words used. Now they want us to believe it’s some sort of conspiracy to discredit the minister.
Surely a salutary lesson for the police officer involved, next time don’t use discretion, just a straight arrest for a public order offence and let the courts sort it out.
Also, recently, another minister told us how badly the BBC have acted in paying off their old boss with a six-figure sum. This is the same government which just cost taxpayers twenty million pounds by making a total mess of the east coast main line bidding process.
What’s the betting the first-mentioned gets his position back and the poor cops involved will get their fingers rapped?
It just goes to show that some people not only think they’re above the law, but if they shout loud enough they are above the law.
John Strachan. 23 Beechwood Avenue, Glenrothes.
Christmas treatfor city needy
Sir, Those of us who run Graham’s Soup kitchen on Saturday evenings in the West Marketgait area of Dundee would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the Iceland shop in Barnhill, Broughty Ferry, for encouraging their customers to donate foodstuffs for our meals and also for The Salvation Army.
The weather lately has been freezing cold and very wet. For some it is the choice between using electricity for cooking or heating but not both.
Some have the choice of neither.
The goods given range from fresh meat (for approximately 120 servings) through to tins of beans to chocolate cakes. A Christmas treat for the needy in our city.
The kind thought from Iceland and the generosity of their customers has been so heart-warming that we felt they deserved a huge thank you and we wish one and all a very Happy Christmas.
Catherine Lawson. Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
A reason for indifference?
Sir, BBC news is all about countries of no great concern to Britain. Mostly those with struggling authority, misuse of resources, and corruption.
Perhaps the BBC recognises its own problems in these places.
Nothing is ever said about the many Commonwealth and Dominion countries, Canada and Australia for example, who saved us during WW2 and who are closer to us in all aspects.
Why this indifference to countries who are on our side, and who actually matter to us?
Malcolm Parkin 15 Gamekeepers Road Kinnesswood, Kinross.