Sir, It would appear, through talking to people, that there are others like me who feel the lead-up to the independence referendum has been going on since the birth of Methuselah.
We are continually being bombarded in the newspapers, through radio and TV and by brochures shoved through our letter-boxes with the views from both camps.
We are told that this is going to be the most important decision in Scotland’s history for centuries.
Yet is it really?
To me it seems all about the transfer of power from one bunch of incompetents in London to another bunch of incompetents in Edinburgh.
Shall anything really change for the elderly and infirm, those with mental health issues or the disadvantaged in society?
Indeed, shall there be any betterment at all for the ordinary man or woman in the street?
I very much doubt it.
Robert T Smith. 30 Braeside Terrace, Aberdeen.
Independence ‘magic wand’
Sir, The Scottish Parliament has control of the NHS, education and housing in Scotland amongst many other matters. The SNP has been in power since 2007. They are now claiming that independence will be their magic wand to create a wealthier, fairer Scotland.
Has anybody noticed such a wonderful improvement in the services they have had control of for the last seven years? They have more confidence in their abilities than I do. Of course a “yes” vote in September is, in effect, a vote of confidence in the SNP.
Ian Noble. Darnhall Drive, Perth.
An outrageous comment
Sir, Jenny Hjul’s latest piece of outrageous comment linking Scottish Nationalism and Nazism cannot go uncommented on. Lest she forgets, it was Westminster’s acquiescence to the rise of Fascism that allowed events to escalate the way they did.
Neville Chamberlain’s appeasement, Lord Rothermere’s “Hurrah for the Blackshirts” headlines and editorial support for Fascism in Italy and Germany, The Duke of Windsor and the Mitford girls or Winston Churchill himself who praised Mussolini and Hitler lavishly after their totalitarian programs had been fully established and their operations were well known.
Indeed, Churchill said that if he had been an Italian he would have been a Fascist, and as late as 1938 he stated that if England were ever in the same straits that Germany had been in 1933, he hoped that England would find “her Hitler”.
It is further worth noting that in the 70s and 80s the only party leader who had seen active service in the Second World War was the SNP’s Donald Stewart; also the only party leader forbidden from laying a wreath on Remembrance day at the Cenotaph.
Henry Malcolm. 331 Clepington Road, Dundee.
Grateful for strangers’ help
Sir, On Monday (June 9), my mum skidded and crashed her car into the wall on the sharp bend on the A917 at Boarhills. The occupant/occupants of the car behind her didn’t even stop to see if she was okay, even though the car was precariously hanging on the wall and she was scared to move in case it fell and rolled downhill.
Luckily a passer-by stopped at the scene and helped her out of her car (I think his name was Gareth). Other people stopped to help her out and hold the car in place while she climbed out the window, and looked after her once she was free.
My heartfelt thanks to all who stopped to help her. It’s wonderful to know that strangers were kind enough to stop to help her. Luckily she didn’t suffer any major injuries and after a check at A&E was released with only bruises and a sore back.
Now that the shock is over she’s just a little disappointed that we didn’t get a photo of the car. If anyone stopped to take a picture we would like a copy, if possible.
Rachael Plunkett. Project Scientist, SMRU Marine, North Haugh, St Andrews.
Old academy makes sense
Sir, Regarding the story in The Courier recently about the numbers leaving the Church of Scotland.
There are three Church of Scotland churches in Forfar. If the congregation reduction continues (along with the natural reduction due to deaths etc.) there will be no need for three.
Looking around at my own church, many of the members are elderly and in the next 10 years will not be able to attend due to failing health, so one church would be sufficient.
Regarding this, I would suggest using the old academy (Chapelpark School). There is adequate parking space, room for two manses, there would be no suggestion of favouring any of the existing churches. The buildings are not important the worship of God is the important thing.
As I understand it, each of the Forfar churches need/wish to spend £1 million with reducing numbers, this would be an utter waste of money.
Utilising the old academy could prove self-financing selling three manses, two/three churches, saving one minister’s stipend, reduction in heating and energy bills etc.
This suggestion would not leave any debt to future worshippers. At the end of the day the church is a business and, therefore, has to make ends meet.
Sandy Grigor. 50 Glamis Road, Forfar.