Sir, Last Saturday, in the Caird Hall, I attended a concert whose main focus was the performance of James MacMillan’s The Confession of Isobel Gowdie by Edinburgh University Musical Society and some 60 dancers from Dundee primary and secondary schools.
Other participants in this concert organised by Dundee City Council’s creative learning team were an inclusive Dundee dance group, Do Your Thing, Dundee-based Scottish Dance Theatre Youth Dance Company, young Dundee percussionist Liam MacKay and Dundee’s Menzieshill High School percussion ensemble.
The quality of the performances was outstanding, but I felt sorry for all those whose talents were on display, as by my reckoning the audience can not have exceeded 200 in number. My sympathy for the performers was mixed with embarrassment at the thought of the image of Dundee that the musicians of Edinburgh University would take away with them.
I can only hope that the pleasure of playing in such an illustrious venue outweighed the disappointment at being heard by so few people.
It would be interesting to know how many of the great and the good and councillors of Dundee who are promoting Dundee’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2017 were at this showcase of young Dundee talent.
And if they were not, what pressing previous engagements prevented their presence?
Al Issner. Woodmuir Terrace, Newport-on-Tay.
There is no such policy
Sir, I wish to express my concern regarding the misconception regarding the reported “no eviction” policy of the SNP administration on Dundee City Council. I wish to highlight to tenants, who are facing a reduction in housing benefit due to the so-called “bedroom tax” that there is no such policy.
I am deeply concerned that tenants may simply see the headlines and accrue arrears then be devastated when faced with an eviction notice.
SNP policy in Dundee is basically only offering eight months of protection against eviction by assuming “Dundee City Council” is satisfied that tenants who are subject to the under occupancy charge are “doing all they reasonably can” after they officially register for a smaller house and “are doing all they reasonably can” to avoid falling into arrears.
There has to be clarification of the phrase “all they reasonably can” so tenants are not misled. Further, it would be fairer of the SNP administration on Dundee City Council to call on the Scottish Government to amend the Scottish Housing Regulations making it illegal for tenants in Scotland to be evicted by reason of the extra charge this Westminster Government has imposed.
This change in Scottish legislation combined with funding would also protect all other residents and landlords throughout the city by embracing Home in Scotland, Abertay, Angus Housing, Caledonia, Hillcrest and other smaller social landlords.
Devolution was designed for times like this as the SNP demonstrated when they funded the abolition of bridge tolls and prescription charges.
Brian Gordon. Councillor for the North East Ward. Labour spokespersonfor housing, Dundee City Council.
Legalised snaring
Sir, There’s no more fooling from this April 1 onwards. From Monday all snares set in Scotland must carry a tag giving a unique ID number that identifies the operator to the police.
Therefore, those of us who deal with countryside management issues, urge all (farmers, crofters, gamekeepers, foresters, conservationists and land managers) who legally control foxes and rabbits to ensure they are “up to speed” with this new legislation.
What does this mean? Firstly, snare operators must hold an official up-to-date training certificate. Over the past two years our organisations have combined knowledge and resources to try to reach snare operators throughout Scotland and train them accordingly.
Secondly, you must register this certificate with the police before you snare. If you haven’t done both of these things, from April 1 you cannot legally snare.
We have fought long and hard to retain best practice snaring as an effective and humane means of keeping Scotland’s cherished wildlife in balance and livestock protected.
It is time for vigilance and scrupulous management as custodians of the countryside to ensure this vital tool is retained.
Dr Adam Smith, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. Alex Hogg, Scottish Gamekeepers Association. Dr Colin Shedden, British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Ian Clark, Scottish Association for Country Sports.
Better thingsto do?
Sir, In a previous letter, dated March 27, the Ten Commandments are cited as a good basis for life. Although some of them concern morals, others mention jealousy, punishment of future generations of family and coveting ox and donkeys! Surely the creator of the universe would have better things to worry about.
Treating others as one would like to be treated is a concept that pre-dates Christianity and I would suggest that a more humanistic lifestyle would be better suited to a more moral society.
Chris Gibb. 30 Dunholm Road, Dundee.