Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, I recently visited a friend who lives in rural Aberdeenshire and she was telling me about someone she had met who asked her where she came from.When she said Dundee they then had a discussion about the city’s problems.
I immediately responded that Dundee was on the cusp of an extraordinary change in fortune with the V&A coming to Dundee and the Japanese architect having an international reputation.
Imagine my astonishment when she said she did not know the V&A was coming to Dundee.
I believe a fair number of Dundonians denigrate the city and I can never understand why. On my visit, I spoke to another person in Inverurie who had worked in Dundee and he loved the city, although he did say in jest that he would not run up the Hilltown in an English football top.
I rarely hear citizens of the other Scottish major cities running down their places.
So come on, fellow Dundonians, be proud of the achievements of the city. We have come a long way since jute, jam and journalism ruled our social psyche.
Wherever I am in the world I extol the virtues of Dundee and perhaps when more word gets around many more visitors will visit our fine city.
Brian Millar.Blackness Avenue, Dundee.Beware effects of microwaveSir, The article No Evidence that Mobile Phones Cause Cancer (July 3) would merit consideration if it came from independent, open minded scientists.
Alas, it does not, but from an article written by a group of people in a closed-shop organisation (ICNIRP).
There is very substantial scientific evidence that protracted exposure to low level electromagnetic fields, particularly microwave, causes multiple ill effects in living tissue, animals and people.
This includes head tumours, as pointed up by the Interphone Study which the industry-aligned place people now seek to discredit. Their repertoire of dismissal and denial is an art form. As with many harmful and polluting products, asbestos, tobacco, lead in petrol – the strategy has been to manufacture doubt over unwelcome evidence and keep the product going.
Arthur Jarrett.45 Naughton Road,Wormit.Guardbridge site for new schoolSir, With reference to recent proposals for a bridgehead academy and the replacement of Madras College at the St Andrews University North Haugh campus, perhaps the planners should consider the site of the old Guardbridge paper mill.
This is a brownfield site and hence would have little environmental impact: all to the good. Keep the North Haugh playing fields.
I suggest the name Eden Academy would be appropriate for such a centre of excellence.
The catchment area would be quite wide and Guardbridge would be more or less central as a hub, being equidistant from St Andrews, Cupar, Newport, Tayport, etc. But if RAF Leuchars does close, that would be a bigger site.
G. A. Cook.8 Windsor Street,Dundee.Too much ask after World CupSir, I wonder if I am the only one who thinks SNP MP Angus MacNeil is being a wee bit “hard neckit” asking David Cameron to fly the Saltire over Downing Street in support of Andy Murray’s Wimbledon effort.
I seem to remember the determination of many Scots to support anyone but England in the last World Cup, yet English fans have got behind Andy in his bid to win Wimbledon.
I have no interest in football but I would suggest that if we can’t support them then don’t ask them to support us.
Garry Stewart.Clayholes,By Carnoustie.Hall better used for flatsSir, Ian Richardson’s suggestion (July 7) to preserve the Perth City Hall by using an imaginative, business mind is good.
Demolition of intact historic buildings has never been followed, as far as I know, by improved new developments.
Why has no attempt apparently been made to fill the old walls by redevelopment with flats, as has been done successfully in Rosslyn House, for example?
If there’s a problem in the area with anti-social behaviour at night, the police can surely control that.
The council’s proposal for a square would replacing a handsome building with a tatty, unnecessary, open space, likely filled by drunken layabouts at night and semi-sober layabouts by day.
(Dr) Charles Wardrop.Viewlands Road West, Perth.Rail link better value for moneySir, Your article on the Levenmouth rail-link (June 30) raised hopes and fears for its future reinstatement.
The case for is absolutely overwhelming. Two other articles on the same page indicate strong future growth is forecast for rail travel in Scotland yet without the link around 50,000 residents of Levenmouth and the East Neuk, already poorly served by inferior road links, will be excluded.
For less than 5% of the total investment required for the Edinburgh trams project, reinstatement can effectively address severe deprivation, serve emerging industry (Diageo, Fife Energy Park) and ease congestion and emissions.
However, Councillor Rumney’s doubts and wish to divert the £2 million fund set aside for the rail link risk undermining the case.
Finally, in an era when public funding is so tight, we must look to the private sector, especially Diageo, to take the lead in reinstating freight transport.
The intact lines passes through their Cameron Brig plant presently undergoing a major transformation.
(Dr) A. Armstrong.28 Viewforth,Buckhaven.
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.