This morning’s letters discuss Dundee FC, energy, Britain, climate warnings and ferry links.
Board, not fans has let down Dundee FC Sir,-How predictable that outgoing Dundee Football Club chairman Bob Brannan (May 20) should have yet another go at Jocky Scott, players, fans and Dee4Life.
I have supported Dundee FC for over 50 years and the club’s darkest days have always coincided with the reign of a “sugar daddy” who comes in talking big, before taking us into a regime of cuts and maladministration. I could name Angus Cook, Ron Dixon and so on.
We members of Dee4Life saved this club on the understanding that no individual would again call all the shots.
That dream is dead.
A few months ago, Calum Melville was looking to splash out half a million pounds on Scott Robertson, now we cannot afford to take a pre-season trip to Hartlepool. The fans have done their job but the board have stopped doing theirs.
Andy Boyack.29 Langholm Road,Garswood,Wigan.
Harness Tay energy flow
Sir,-The statement by Calum Wilson of Forth Ports (May 20) that they are approaching the establishment of wind turbines and a bio-mass plant at Dundee waterfront from a commercial development point of view is a lot of hot air, probably enough to run his wind turbines elsewhere.
Many of your readers have already stated the problems with wind turbines. They are not commercially viable.
This can be demonstrated by analysing the return on capital and the time that takes and studying the operational efficiency visual, noise, transmission pollution and other environmental problems.
With biomass, Mr Wilson only mentions transportation energy. What about the energy used to plant, tend, harvest, strip, get to dock and load the fuel, plus the polluting gases not extracted by scrubber filters and ash disposal?
I am very much in favour of using renewable energy, but let us first use the millions of watts of energy going right past our door in the Tay and install hydro turbines on the river.
John Cruickshank.39 Meadowview Drive,Inchture.
A nation in decline
Sir,-In 1963 Charles de Gaulle said, “Britain is insular. She is maritime. She is linked through her trade, her markets and her supply lines to the most distant countries.
“She pursues essentially industrial and commercial activities and only slightly agricultural ones.
“She has, in all her doings, very marked and very original habits and traditions. In short, Britain’s very situation differs profoundly from those of the continentals.”
Nothing has changed, except through the actions of our treasonous governments.
We are now not quite as described by General de Gaulle.
William W. Scott.23 St Baldred’s Road,North Berwick.
NIMBYs all at sea
Sir,-With regard to the current debate on the proposal to build a biomass fuel plant and turbines on the Dundee waterfront, might I suggest a collective slogan for the objectors to the project: NIMBY Not In My Boatyard.
Bruce Walker.4 Lochalsh Street,Broughty Ferry.
NGOs’ heavy climate influence
Sir,-I refer to your article about the WWF report which, apparently, confirms global warming of the Scottish climate.
Scottish ski centres are enjoying their best season for years with the lowest temperatures and more snow.
On other mountains, deer are dying in their hundreds, possibly thousands, from the drop in temperatures and deep snow, which prevents them reaching their traditional feeding grounds.
As a daily, early-morning dog walker, I can assure Dr Dixon that there is no noticeable temperature increase where I live.
In fact, the opposite is the case. This year, April and May, so far, have been cold.
Yes, there were two fine days but that was always the case.
I am concerned that WWF and other organisations are having too much influence over our political establishments.
What about the effects of erupting volcanoes and that caused by the soft-drinks industry?
A. Geddie.68 Carleton Avenue,Woodside,Glenrothes.
Link Scotland to Scandinavia
Sir,-Your article by Jack McKeown about his visit to the fjords in Norway (May 15) brought back fond memories of a motoring/camping holiday that we enjoyed in that country.
Now that DFDS seem to have abandoned any thought of reviving sailings from Newcastle to Scandinavia, might this not be the time for Norfolkline from Rosyth, or Northlink Ferries, to provide at least a weekly service between Scotland and perhaps Kristiansand in the south of Norway?
During the volcanic ash crisis, it was notable that the latter successfully ran a rescue ferry between Aberdeen and Bergen.
Could this not become a regular summer-only alternative to the long-haul trip to Esbjerg in Denmark via Harwich?
John Crichton.6 Northampton Place,Forfar.