Sir, The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was bound to be a pale reflection of London and all hope died when it became clear Alex Salmond was not going to arrive by parachute.
In fact, the need to call in an English event organiser betrayed Scotland’s lack of confidence and Susan Boyle forgetting the words of Mull of Kintyre simply underlined the feeling.
The eye-watering display of purple tartan could not hide the empty seats nor present some narrative of a nation supposedly debating its existence before a wondering world.
We are forever being told that Glasgow punches way above its size culturally but sadly there was little evidence of this much-vaunted artistic talent and creativity. Instead David Zolkwer relied on clichs with highland dancing on whisky barrels and a huge Nessie all held together by the chippy vulgarity one expects of the Fair fortnight.
Without Continental Europe and the major sports nations such as the USA, Russia, China and Japan, the games will be rather a sporting non-event, but what will make them unique is the First Minister’s pledge to keep the event “politics free”.
We will now at least be spared such embarrassments as the Prime Minister’s wife smuggling a union jack in her Smython handbag and jointly waving it with her husband.
Alex Salmond also gave the conference of Commonwealth business leaders a “politics-free” assurance that an independent Scotland was nothing for them to worry about.
Such an a assurance will be a relief to those who recall the Scots as the most rapacious of all the British colonisers and Glasgow’s pivotal role in the tobacco and slave trade.
Dr John Cameron. 10 Howard Place, St Andrews.
That uniform wasn’t so bad after all
Sir, I was outspoken in my condemnation of the uniform of the Scottish athletes at the Commonwealth Games and was cringing waiting for the team to appear at the opening ceremony.
Surprisingly, it didn’t look as bad as general opinion had suggested.
Walking on together, after seeing other highly colourful team costumes, it didn’t stand out as the sore thumb we all expected. I still wouldn’t have chosen that design in the first place, but I hold my hand up and admit I was wrong.
It wasn’t as bad as I had expected it to be.
Scotland, and in particular, Glasgow did us proud. What a fantastic show!
Wilma Thom. 5 Turfbeg Avenue, Forfar.
It was a missed opportunity…
Sir, Oh dear, what a shame. A missed opportunity for our “window on the world”! Almost an hour gone, a lack of atmosphere and enthusiasm, techno-disco music (why?) and a “cheapo” version of Children in Need every few minutes and that was before the embarrassing Scotland team outfits!
Well, at least the next host country doesn’t have too much to live up to.
G Adamson. 8 Morlich Gardens, Dundee.
Watch out for the vulnerable
Sir, We have been enjoying a beautiful Scottish summer which looks set to continue. While the heatwave is undoubtedly a fantastic boost for everyone to enjoy the outdoors, we would urge people to consider the flip side and the issues it may present for older people in particular.
Many people are very kind and will think to check on older and vulnerable neighbours during cold snaps. Given the conditions excess heat can exacerbate, some older people may need some extra support during this time just like they would when the weather is at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Very hot weather can make heart and breathing problems worse so they welcome someone offering to pop to the shops for them for instance.
If there’s someone you think might appreciate a knock on their door and a phone call, please do not hesitate to offer kindness. It may be the lifeline an older person is waiting for.
Valerie Crookston. Scotland Executive Officer, Contact the Elderly.
Ignoring our wishes…
Sir, To support Michael Smith’s letter, A better outcome for much less money (July 23), it’s quite bizarre that Perth and Kinross Council should be seeking to impose a policy for the destruction of a fine, irreplaceable asset, our community City Hall.
Its re-use is capable of benefiting the life of Perth by day and night, serving locals and visitors, with the potential for reviving the sadly near-moribund city centre.
Councillor Ian Miller, the council leader, and his colleagues talk of their indignant frustration at the preservationist attitude of Historic Scotland, for daring to oppose the council’s policy, as if the City Hall was their personal property rather than the people’s.
He has rejected out of hand the view of Scottish and international experts in architecture, who have helpfully suggested a £1 million scheme for retaining the hall, while saving us £3 million of the cost of the council’s preferred civic square, a roofless, empty space.
Their civic square proposal comes at the additional cost of finally killing off local business through the mayhem of a very protracted dirty, noisy, costly demolition process.
Politicians today have established a dire reputation for being out of touch with the proper interests of the voting population.
There are many examples of such a democratic failing and our council’s policies on our City Hall typify that problem. It’s time for those politicians in opposition to oppose such wasteful, intransigent folly.
Isabel & Charles Wardrop. 111 Viewlands Road West, Perth.
Remove the rates burden
Sir, Several city centre business proprietors have been pushing for Perth and Kinross Council to do something to help them and other struggling businesses and to put an end to shop closures.
They have asked for some rate relief as one way of helping businesses to survive. I should go further and ask the government and councils to abolish business rates altogether.
Council tax replaced rates for householders. It was a step in the right direction, an attempt at a more just system of local taxation, but it would be far fairer to adopt the Liberal Party’s suggestion of local income tax. Then everybody would pay according to their ability to pay. Those who pay no national income tax would, of course, pay no local income tax.
Freed from the rates burden, more businesses would survive and more businessmen would be encouraged to open new businesses.
George K McMillan. 5 Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.
He was worthy of his hire
Sir, The young Irishman didn’t just “hit a ball with a stick for four days” (Wednesday’s letters).
He provided entertainment for millions of people (of whom I was not one, I don’t particularly like golf) and probably generated hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of business.
The labourer is worthy of his hire,
Laurie Richards. 100 Crail Road, Cellardyke.
Could close them all
Sir, As I read today’s (July 24) issue of The Courier I note that the Royal Bank of Scotland is closing more branches in Fife due to lack of custom.
Do you suppose it may not occur to them that if they provide a bad enough service they might be able to close all of their branches?
Allan Bullions. 6 Glencairn Crescent, Leven.