Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, I have had connections with the three British armed services.
I thought a defence review was overdue, since we now live in a very different world.
That is why I supported Sir Menzies Campbell’s stance for the retention of RAF Leuchars. He clearly defined the strategic advantages for the best defence of the UK
The article in The Courier (July 27) gives the view of an airman who has experience of the base and the time and cost it took to bring facilities there up to date.
So I find it unbelievable the defence secretary has decided to transfer all that to Lossiemouth.
The same airman also said Leuchars was unsuitable for an army barracks. I shudder to think of the army and its vehicles on the move in the small villages of Fife.
Anne Whyte.6 Apple Wynd,Montrose.
Swaggering gulls in Montrose
Sir, Your report of the gull menace at the Hope Paton Bowling Club (July 26) is a reflection of how intrusive gulls have become in and around Montrose.
I walked past the green while a game was going on and watched two young gulls hop on to the green. They conveyed the impression that the bowlers were the intruders.
A couple of weeks ago a young gull dropped on to the balcony approach to my house. I could not find a nest on my roof.
I contacted the SSPCA. I was able to curtail a lecture about sharing the planet with animals by asking what action could be taken. I was told gulls are protected.
A lady suggested it be removed to a patch of greenery. It is difficult to find greenery in the harbour area.
All my reference books indicate gulls remain loyal to their nesting areas.
Montrose is generally a tidy town, but where plastic sacks are put out for refuse collection, gulls investigate.
There is a need to deter gulls from the town.
I lived four years where hyenas and vultures were protected. You could see the benefit in the protected status of those scavengers.
I can’t help but feel the animal that needs protecting here right now is homo sapiens.
Peter Swan.33 Mill Lane,Montrose.
Leaders pay to go to jamboree
Sir, Our attention has been drawn by a number of your readers to a factual error that appeared in an article entitled “Scouts off to Sweden” (July 25).
Firstly, let me thank you for your coverage of us, which we value highly.
The article stated that adult volunteers are being paid for attending the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden with Scouts from the UK. This is not the case.
Each Scout leader attending the jamboree has paid £1000 to be there. Many of them are using their annual leave from work to spend two weeks in Sweden, working long hours to ensure that the 22nd World Scout Jamboree is a fun, exciting and safe event for over 39,000 Scout members from around the world.
Our leaders are all volunteers, who give their time freely to enable young people to enjoy the challenge and adventure that scouting offers.
We do need more adult volunteers. In return for their services they will enjoy friendship and adventure provided by the world’s largest youth movement.
Candace Watermeyer.Scout Association,Dunfermline.
Easthaven in no man’s land
Sir, Can it be said, from the figures quoted (July 29) that the public have given a thumbs up to a wind farm between Arbroath and Carnoustie?
I would hardly think that approximately 50 positive responses in a survey, out of a combined population of around 33,000, could be seen as a resounding yes.
Perhaps those 50 or so respondents will not be living in close proximity to the windmills, and perhaps they have their eye on the £75,000 per annum inducement. The project exhibition had glossy pictures of how the windmills will look from viewpoints such as the Black Slab and Westhaven Road.
But we at Easthaven, being around one kilometre from the nearest one, will enjoy an uninterrupted view of it and the wastewater plant.
At the time of construction, we were assured the water building would be hidden by fast-growing trees, but we do see it and occasionally smell it.
Easthaven is still operating on septic tanks despite promises from NOSWA that we would be connected to the sewerage mains.
Easthaven seems to be no man’s land when it comes to local politics and we are shunted between Arbroath West and Carnoustie East and largely forgotten about, as in this instance.
To add insult to injury, the first we knew about the windmills was when we read that representatives in Carnoustie have plans on how the £75,000 per annum could be utilised to Carnoustie’s benefit, namely the new community building.
Carnoustie already has a leisure centre, community centre, and several halls, so will another building really be useful?
Hopefully, if this project goes forward, Easthaven will reap some benefit as it is most affected by these eyesores.
As an alternative, might I suggest the land in front of what was Carlogie Hotel be worth considering for the seven windmills. Then the “prize” of £75,000 would be rightfully Carnoustie’s.
Stella Edward.Craigknowe,Easthaven.
Roads not up to scratch
Sir, The lady golfers competing at the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Carnoustie enjoyed good weather. The course was in excellent condition.
How I wish that some of the neighbouring road surfaces were up to par in Carnoustie and Monifieth.
Barry Road in Carnoustie is awful, as is part of the Ferry Road in Monifieth.
Michael Beattie.9 Bayfield Gardens,Broughty Ferry.
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.