Sir, – I have news for the very plausible chief executive of Fife Cultural Trust. The closure of so many Fife libraries is not going to happen.
Her plans are going to be scuppered by an unprecedented hue and cry of public opinion.
And if the trust chief executive is unsure of the word public, it is sometimes defined as council-tax payer.
I do not care what the deal is between Fife Cultural Trust and Fife Council. I care even less about the contemporary codswallop being advanced in support of these plans.
There are some things in life which are sacrosanct and constant.
A library is one of them. They have been cornerstones of civilised societies worldwide since ancient times.
It won’t just be literary types like myself who are offended by this.
The whole spectrum of society is going to get stuck in, especially those who don’t have a lot going for them and take succour in libraries for themselves and their children as a major source of enlightenment and a pathway to personal progress.
What about the elderly and infirm who live in remote areas ? Are their local libraries under threat?
Those of us who have been around a deal longer than the trust chief executive, can remember several times when local authorities tried to conquer our libraries.
On every occasion they scuttled back into their glory holes when reminded by countless members of the public of the priceless place libraries hold in our lives.
Ian Nimmo White. 16 Allan Street, Leslie.
Safety culture out of hand
Sir, – It was with some amusement I read your report about fly-tipping problems in Perth andKinross and Angus (June 22).
On June 17 I washelping an OAP by removing rubbish from her garden.
She had a mixture of old lightweight metal shelving and cut down leylandii trees, probably coming to about a tonne in weight.
I planned to use my four-wheel vehicle trailer but she told me that these were no longer allowed in the council skip yards.
I telephoned theenvironmental department of Perth andKinross Council and was told this was their new rule. The magic words health and safety were given as the reason.
I pointed out that instead of making one trip with a four-wheel trailer, I would need to do three trips with a smaller one, using three times the amount of fuel.
I cannot understand the thinking behind these new rules.
The people who go to the skips empty their own trailers, so health and safety shouldnot come into theargument.
It is not hard to understand why some people say no to the hassle and just dump rubbish where they can thus leaving, not the council, but taxpayers the cost of having to pick up the rubbish.
Oh for the days before health and safety excuses.
W. Cairns. 91 Kingswell Terrace, Perth.
Dundee wastes advantages
Sir – Dundee is a beautiful city with state-of-the art buildings and improvements being made to the railwaystation.
The city now has much more sensible roadlayouts leading to the Tay road bridge, the gateway to the centre of the golfing world.
There are immense opportunities for leisure in the stunning surrounding countrysideof this area and thescenic coastal towns and villages.
There is huge scope for the area to attract British and foreign holidaymakers.
Why then does Dundee seem to squander these advantages?
For example, most shops are closed before 8pm and restaurants are not particularly welcoming.
Most of Dundee’s multi-storey car parks close around 7pm.
What good is that to holidaymakers or even local people wishing to shop in the evenings?
Dundee councillors should be doing all they can to encourage visitors to the area, especially during the summer months.
With two famous football teams, a new swimming pool, skiing, hillwalking, McManus Galleries and two historic ships to explore, there is plenty to keep visitors occupied.
Kathleen Weighton. 25 Sunnyside, Kirriemuir.
Fitting tribute to Jock Stein
Sir, – The football match being organised by Dunfermline and Celtic on September 6 will be a fitting tribute to the memory of Jock Stein and his passing 30 years ago.
Supporters of both clubs have a great deal of respect for each other and mutual admiration for the man who brought success to both clubs.
The former players who will take part in the game will be looking forward to what should be a special occasion.
The proceeds will go to charity and it would be good to see East End Park full to capacity for the game.
Thomas Michie. 93 Main Street, Lochgelly.
Rail link not worth outlay
Sir, – I have read a lot about the proposed Levenmouth rail link but where will the Leven station be and what will the fares be?
Leven is well served by bus. The bus station is very central and close to supermarkets and taxis.
However, you would need to changes buses to get to a railway station to get a train to Perth or Dundee.
As a frequent traveller to Leven by bus I notice that most people, OAPs, students and those on benefit travel for free.
I cannot imagine people switching to rail and having to pay high fares.
As most visitors to Leven will know, it has a dying High Street like Kirkcaldy and many other towns, so it beggars belief that we are considering spending millions on a new rail link.
The only plus point would be for Diageo to use the railway and keep vans and lorries off the roads.
Joe Gilmour. 175 Nicol Street, Kirkcaldy.
Sort home problems first
Sir, – This week Jim Crumley and Jennifer Dempsie both ranted about the Tories and Labour being so nasty.
Do you think you could ask Jim to take Jennifer to his Highland hideaway and give us non political people a break?
They both keep banging on about austerity and foodbanks butJim wants us to letmore refugees in to the country.
The two of them may not have noticed but this country on both sides of the border is bankrupt. Sort out the mess this country is in before worrying about the welfare of the rest of the world.
Bob Duncan. 110 Caesar Avenue, Carnoustie.
Yes movement not anti-English
Sir, – As a Scottish Green and an Englishman with family and business interests inEngland I am surprised that Jenny Hjul (June 24) is still repeating thenonsense that the Yes movement was anti-English when she knows full well that it was anti-Westminster.
The referendum stirred up passions on both sides.
Many No voters were genuinely scared by the lies emanating fromBetter Together and spread by the media.
Many Yes voters, like myself, were genuinely angry about the very same thing.
Fear and anger can lead to aggressionand Better Together must take most of the blame for any disharmony the referendum caused.
I have never encountered anti-English sentiment from anyone in Scotland including active members of the SNP here in Fife and elsewhere.
In my experience the Scots are internationalist in outlook and Jenny should refrain from pretending that a desire for a decent parliament that governs for the people instead of the privileged elite has anything to do with nationalism.
Andrew Collins. Ladyburn House, Skinners Steps, Cupar.
Hypocrisy from SNP?
Sir, – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon iscontinuing Scotland’s contribution towardsthe upkeep of the Royalfamily post SmithCommission, unchanged and at the same rate as the rest of the United Kingdom.
Fair enough you could say because, after all, we are all part of the same country.
But hang on a minute. Doesn’t the SNP claimto be the anti-austerity party?
So why is it not even questioning Scotsfunding one of ourmost wealthy, privileged families?
Is this an exampleof more SNP double standards?
Martin Redfern. 4 Royal Circus, Edinburgh.