Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I recently witnessed another fine performance in Dundee’s Caird Hall by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Stephen Bell. He is to be highly commended for his entertaining and energetic efforts despite an excessively hot and humid atmosphere within the hall.
Having arranged to meet up with friends at the upstairs bar at 7pm, on arrival we were advised by a bartender that drinks could not be served after 7pm. Not even a glass of tapwater, despite the fact that the performance was due to start at 7.30pm.
Surely it would’ve been simpler, and more effective, to sound a bell followed by a member of staff making the appropriate announcement? A clear lack of management.
To partially alleviate this situation, drinks were ordered to be collected during the interval cash up front, of course.
However, during the unannounced interval the confusion and congestion at the bar area resembled a market bazaar in full swing, and we only just managed to collect our drinks.
The heat and humidity within the hall during the performance caused concern to many patrons, many of whom vigorously waved programme cards in front of their faces for some slight relief.
Surely this situation could have been avoided by ensuring proper setting of the hall’s air conditioning and/or ventilation systems?
Kenneth Miln.22 Fothringham Drive, Monifieth.
Human cost of green policies
Sir, – 750,000 Scottish homes are in fuel poverty; our few remaining real industries are expected to compete with economies where energy prices are under a quarter of ours.
All this is because our government insist on using the money to subsidise renewables because they allege it is necessary to reduce CO2 and prevent global warming.
Paradoxically, the same people demanding this oppose nuclear power though it combines the advantage of being available at under a quarter the cost with the possible advantage of being much more CO2-free than even windmills.
But is this alleged warming true or a fraud created by government so we will submit to more tax?
I have asked repeatedly and no alarmist, anywhere, is able to name a single scientist who supports the catastrophic warming scare and is not paid by government. I intend to keep asking.
The largest expression of scientists’ opinion on the subject is the widely unreported 31,000 who have signed the Oregon Petition saying that CO2 rise is not only not catastrophic but likely to be beneficial (more CO2 means better growing crops).
The BBC, with typical disregard for their legal duty of “due balance”, maintain that catastrophic warming is more widely accepted than the law of gravity, censoring any mention of this document showing more heavy censorship than Stalin.
In modern times the main driver of economic growth has been, and continues to be, energy. So this explains why we are in recession while China and India are growing 10% annually.
Neil Craig.200 Woodlands Rd.,Glasgow.
Christians must take stock
Sir, – Trevor Hickie says he can’t understand why the Kingdom Shopping Centre does not want to participate in the 500th anniversary of the King James Bible.
The answer is simple: the Kingdom Centre is a private business. They have every right to say what activities take place within their premises. Their customers don’t want to be bothered when shopping.
If Mr Hickie does not like the decision he can exercise his right not to do any business there.
Mr Hickie and his fellow Christians can’t accept that some 90% of people in this country do not attend church and do not want to have religion rammed down their throats by religious zealots.
It does not seem enough for people like Trevor Hickie to simply worship in their churches. They want everyone else to believe what they believe and don’t seem to want to give people a choice in the matter.
Alan Hinnrichs.2 Gillespie Terrace,Dundee.
Name and shame the persecutors
Sir, – Well done Linda Ross for having the strength and determination to fight on for four years to clear her name, finally vindicated by the employment tribunal report.
I read the report in The Courier and was appalled and horrified at the scale of vindictiveness, dishonesty and incompetence shown by the various council employees, duly named and shamed.
So keen to dispose of Linda Ross and end her career, what will be the fate of these same people now they have been exposed? How many sackings will there be? Or will there be a convenient cover-up from those in authority?
Apart from justice for Linda Ross, I think the parents of schoolchildren in Dundee deserve a higher calibre of public servant in charge of education.
Janet Ramsay.Ordie Place,Luncarty.
Who pays for this debacle?
Sir, – Your comment on the Linda Ross case rightly suggests “senior figures within the education and human resources departments failed badly in their handling of the situation.”
Isn’t it a pity that those individuals responsible for this determined and seemimgly vindictive pursuit of Mrs Ross are not liable for the cost of a compensatory award?
Ian G. Miller.28 Shaftesbury Road,Dundee.
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.