Sir,- I am speechless after a recent trip to Monikie Country Park, to which I shall never return.
As a regular user of the park I have noticed over the last few months a fair amount of work going on in the woods.
What is going on? Well according to a member of staff, the woods, are being tidied up at the behest of the outfit running the upcomingDragonQuest event.
Tidy in this context means removal of ground timber and leaf litter and other “hazards” under the auspices of health and safety.
I found that the woods were spick and span and remarkably free from the usual rustle of birds among the leaves.
There is no reason for the wildlife to stick around if their living space has been socallously disposed of.
While I accept that tidy woodlands may find some favour with the more unimaginative members of ourcommunity, to remove this valuable ground shelter is nothing shortof criminal.
I have discovered that by taking part in DragonQuest I can “glimpseand capture a parallel universe of magicalcreatures that inhabit the wood fairies, goblins and the dreaded trolls”.
It seems that therangers at Monikieare the ones living in a parallel universe.
Do they seriously think a bit of arty ephemera and computer-generated tat is a substitute for the real wildlife that finds itself without a home and food as winter approaches?
Our red squirrels live in these woods and what of otters?
How can this be an acceptable stance for a so-called conservation minded outfit?
It seems moneytalks and principlesare as exiguous as thefairies.
Archie Weir. Marine Court, Arbroath.
We need abetter anthem
Sir,- I wish to thank Jim Crumley (September 22) for his veryhumorous take on the British national anthem.
With winter and dark days and nights fast approaching, it is always pleasant to read things that make you smileand pokes fun at some institutions.
Although there would be some of our more rigid and establishment thinkers in the area spluttering and choking on their porridge and calling for him to be confined to the tower of London, I do believe there is a serious point in his humorous article.
Let’s face it, the only place where you hear God Save the Queen sung in Scotland withany gusto nowadays is probably at Ibrox.
It is a bit of a dirge. It is not inclusive and does not reflect the modern political and social make-up of the UK.
It is probably seen as more of an English anthem, which is reflected in sporting events where teamsrepresenting England sing it, whereas Wales (great anthem) andScotland (bit of dirge as well) have their own.
We all know about the verses that have been dropped with the remarks about crushing the Scots but I wouldask how many Scotsactually sing it now, or think it is an anthem of inclusion?
Bryan Auchterlonie. Bluebell Cottage, Ardargie.
Treat claimants with respect
Sir,- I was taken aback at my Jobcentre after being referred to as a “customer”.
I feel that this is an inappropriate term for the replacement of the title claimant.
As benefit claimants, we do not have thechoice to take ourbusiness elsewhere.
If we are customers we should be expected to be treated with courtesy.
To the overpaid executive who thought up this politically-correct term, I would say start treating your claimants the waya business would treat customers with respect and a commitment to customer care orabolish the term and go back to the correct term of claimant.
Gordon Kennedy. 117 Simpson Square, Perth.
Disrespect to the Scottish people
Sir,- Nicola Sturgeonis quick to use the term disrespectful, in particular of David Cameron and the Westminster establishment, because they fail to kowtow to her and SNP demands.
Last year the Scottish people gave a resounding no vote, but it is clear from the SNP’s rhetoric that they cannot accept this result and have the sole aim of orchestrating a rerun albeit she declares, it will be the Scottish people who will decide.
Ms Sturgeon’s failure to accept the wishes of the Scottish people who voted no is in my opinion disrespectful.
The declaration that the referendum was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was soon forgotten. Current actions show a lack of integrity and respect for theScottish people.
The Smith report on devolved powers was agreed by all parties.
Nevertheless, before the ink had time to dryon the paper, the SNP performed a U-turn and rejected the report.
Was this not another example of lacking integrity and showing disrespect to all parties?
The SNP’s priority appears to be waging war against Westminster rather than concentrating on running the Scottish economy and sorting out the mess within the NHS, police and education. Is that not disrespectful to the Scottish people?
John Wilson. 35 Grange Road, Monifieth.
Scotland must look ahead
Sir,- As the campaigning begins for the Scottish elections next May, it is time to reflect on a government too hung up on independence to govern properly for the people of our nation.
Our council tax billsdo not increase, we exchange no money when we need a prescription, our kids pay no university tuition fees and have a great chance of securing an apprenticeship.
We pay nothing to cross the rivers Tay or Forth, with a nice new bridge being built over the latter as well as many new schools/hospitals, with thousands more social-sector homes being built. The list goes on.
All this and many more underachievements have happened while the Scottish Government was too busy planning separation from our English neighbours.
More work is to be done but the question for May is do we let the only autonomous party continue to lead, or go backwards with the branch office politics of before?
Richard Clark. Craigton, Monikie.
Disgraceful migrant scenes
Sir,- I wonder where Mr J Paterson (September 22) gets the idea that the majority of the Syrian migrants are eitherprofessional people or semi-professional.
Looking at the pictures of the disgusting trail of mess that follows these people as they travel towards Germany, I cannot imagine the standards they would apply if they came here.
In the past, any professional people from Syria wishing to work in the UK could apply for a visa.
Whether they were granted such a benefit would be up to the UK Government. What a contrast to the disorganised rabble we are now witnessing.
Archibald A. Lawrie. 5 Church Wynd, Kingskettle.
Scotland needs new workers
Sir,- I have read with interest the comments of various Courier Country residents, many of whom seem to be opposed to providing shelter for immigrants.
Given that less than 1% of immigrants who can move freely in Europe choose to relocate to Scotland, a surge of those not free to move is unlikely.
However, that is a shame and putting aside the clear moral imperative to provide shelter, there is an altogether more selfish reason that may appeal to some.
Scotland has a lack of skilled workers and is being overrun by pensioned residents who no longer contribute to the local labour force.
We need immigrants to nurse the sick, teach the young and feed the many, regardless of where they come from or what religion they are.
I don’t believe we have enough natives willing or able to do this, so an influx of those in need would improve and enrich the country.
James Mason. House of the BelledFalcons, Glenfarg.
How will votebe decided?
Sir,- Nicola Sturgeon has said that the people will decide whetherScotland will have asecond referendum.
How will this be decided? Will there have to be a referendum to decide whether thepeople want a secondreferendum or not?
Cllr Mac Roberts. Perth and Kinross Council, Ward One, Carse of Cowrie.