Wednesday’s scribes discuss subjects including the egg-roller’s respect for the environment, the AV debate, Abertay’s problems, the impact of wind turbines, a mascot amok, and Arbroath FC’s vindicating moment.
Sir, Once again, Barnhill Rock Gardens, Dundee, were a magnet for Easter Sunday celebrations.
At 8am there was the usual service. The singing of hymns in the garden was a sheer delight. It was after 9am when the egg rollers arrived and, from 10.30am, the gardens really started to get busier as every minute passed.
By 1pm there were no parking spaces for cars visible along the esplanade. As hundreds of people packed the gardens the atmosphere, undoubtedly assisted by a warm sunny day, was one of a perfect Sunday for children and adults to enjoy themselves outdoors.
However, the main point I wish to make is to extend congratulations to all those who picked up their own litter.
During an early morning walk through the gardens, the only evidence of the activity that had taken place were the remnants of egg shells from the rolling of hard-boiled eggs on the hill.
Some, not all, school pupils who often gather there during the lunch break, deposit greater amounts of litter than all the many hundreds of people who were there on Sunday.
David C. Metcalf.The Neuk,1a Bridge Street,Broughty Ferry.Breakdown of trust at AbertaySir, The antics of the so-called Bernard King support group (April 22) do not help the University of Abertay in its present difficulties.
It must be pure speculation as to the reasons why three members of the university court resigned and the comments from an unnamed member of the group about the qualities of members of court are certainly incorrect.
What appears certain is that there has been a complete breakdown of trust between the court and the principal and that this is unlikely to be repaired.
And if the principal is successful in his application to a tribunal and has to be reinstated, either the court as a whole should resign (since they were corporately responsible for the decision of suspension) or the principal himself should stand down before the university suffers further.
David Hogarth.12 Moyness Park Drive,Blairgowrie.Take control of seabed revenueSir, Further to the letter by Helen McDade as to whether wind farms have a major impact on wild land in Scotland, I cite the example of the view from the summit of Auchterhouse Hill, near Dundee.
The view has been spoilt by the erection of a solitary turbine on neighbouring Scotston Hill, situated less than one mile distant.
As a physical scientist, my own solution to the energy problem would be to cancel all existing and future subsidies to wind farms and transfer the monies to research, development and construction of tidal installations which give a constant source of electricity.
The stranglehold that the Crown Estates have over the rent of the Scottish foreshore and seabed, where the considerable income goes straight to Westminster and not to aid local communities, should be broken.
That revenue should be transferred to the Scottish Government. That would be an additional source of funding to assist with establishing sustainable energy.
(Prof) Findlay Swinton.24 Affleck Gardens,Monikie.Mascot was below ParSir, Along with thousands of others I attended the Dunfermline against Raith match on Saturday.
As a 60 year old, I am a not only a long-term Raith supporter who has accepted the good with the bad in the past but have also given my support to Dunfermline. However, I suggest that Dunfermline Athletic have reached an all-time low because of the actions of their mascot.
Around 3000 Raith supporters attended the match and gave Dunfermline Athletic a cash boost of £48,000. The thanks from Dunfermline was their mascot pointing a mock tank and gun turret at Raith fans together with sound effects of bullets from the main stand sound system.
I cannot imagine a major supermarket doing the same to their customers. Imagine the outcry at an Old Firm game if this type of incident happened.
Gordon Meldrum.46 Loom Road,Kirkcaldy.Never too late for title successSir, Congratulations to Arbroath Football Club on securing a first-ever league championship.
In May last year, the club was at a low ebb following relegation, the departure of their manager and, more damaging, having only two players under contract for the following season.
What a difference a year makes. The club had the foresight to appoint Paul Sheerin and Stewart Petrie as manager and assistant. A whole new team was assembled and has played some of the best football seen at Gayfield for years.
It may have taken 133 years since the club was formed in 1878 to win a league title but it was well worth wait.
Keith Swankie.29 Elmhill,Arbroath.Bring honesty to AV debateSir, I received a flyer from Vote Yes to AV. According to the campaign, we will get a harder working MP, a vote that counts and it will tackle the “jobs-for-life culture” at Westminster.
It will also do away with MPs who fiddle expenses.
I must be an old cynic because to my mind it does not matter how they are voted in, if they are going to fiddle the books they will. It is nonsense to state, not suggest, that having AV will automatically give us hard-working, honest MPs.
People need facts to make their minds up, not fiction. This should also be true for the No to AV campaigners.
William Livingston.70 Kirklands Park,Cupar.
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.