Sir, I appreciate the article by your assistant editor, Chris Ferguson, on “the sad ending” to Tayside House (May 28) was to some extent humanising the likely feelings of an unliked creation in its death throes.
His sensitive approach is intriguing!
I would, however, question whether stripping the building down floor by floor would be any more humiliating for it than blowing it up.
In fact, perhaps it is the kinder way?
Mr Ferguson asks what it is that has attracted such ill-will to this structure but he will be only too well aware, I feel sure, that the vast majority of Dundonians would tell him that it has nothing to do with “the insensitive decision-making of those inside” (accurate though that may be) or the design of its public entrance. It was that this hideous erection was an insult to the integrity of sympathetic development of the city centre, especially so in the city’s envied waterfront area.
It turned out to be Dundee’s elongated and festering sore thumb, unloved by most.
It was the wrong building erected in the wrong place effectively assaulting everyone’s senses none more so than unsuspecting visitors to the city approaching by way of the road bridge and waterfront approach roads.
Is it any wonder that it was targeted in the way it was? The wonder is that it took so long to see its demise.
David Tweedie. Longcroft, Longforgan.
Meaningless results from energy poll
Sir, Your article by Richard Watt on a poll (for Eurowind) supporting renewable energy in Angus (May 28), shows that the results are meaningless.
Out of a population of about 110,000 only 401 adults were questioned by telephone. We do not know what questions were asked or how they were framed. We do not know in which parts of Angus the respondents live, nor to which socio-economic groups they belong.
I wonder what percentage figures would appear from questions such as:
“Do you agree with subsidies paid from your larger electricity bills, be given to relatively few already rich people?”
“Do you agree that when the windmills produce more than the grid requires that the operators be paid large sums to switch them off?”
“Do you agree that the Scottish Government should always be able to over-ride local government if and where a windmill can be located in your vicinity?”
But ask a question about renewable energy in general and I would be very surprised if most were not in favour.
It all depends on the context and how the questions are framed.
John Dorward. 89 Brechin Road, Arbroath.
How would we fill our shelves?
Sir, As an author of both e-books and print books I was intrigued by Caroline Lindsay’s speculation on the two vehicles (Brought to book, May 27). I have no doubt that both will survive, partly because they each play a role the other does not.
The e-book can never match the friendliness of a print book, but there are times making a trip to the bookshop is out of the question. And for those who are too impatient to wait for the book to arrive by post, as long as there is wi-fi there is immediate relief.
We live in a 24/7 world where everything can be reached at our fingertips, and as technology changes so do our shopping habits.
But for some people, the old-fashioned method of sitting down to read a good book with a colourful jacket is their idea of heaven.
Not only can paper and hardback books evoke memories, but for those avid readers who like to scribble comments in the margin it’s their only choice. After all, in a world of e-books how can bookshelves be filled?
Robert Graham. 6 Waggon Road, Crossford, Dunfermline.
Primary pupils’ dog dirt plea
Sir, We would like to address the problem of dog fouling in the South Annsmuir woods in Ladybank. Our class p6/7 decided to survey dog fouling in groups and found a shocking 138 piles on the main paths alone.
We have come across this because our class has taken up the challenge of doing the John Muir Award. The John Muir Award is about discovering a place of natural beauty through four stages: discover, explore, conserve, and share.
We have completed “discover” and “explore” and we are currently working on “conserve”.
When dog owners fail to pick up their dog dirt in public places other people walking their dogs or children playing run the risk of catching toxocariasis.
If someone fails to clean up their dog dirt after their dog they could be issued with a fine up to £100.
So please clean up after your dog and help us to clear up this problem.
Maura and Niamh. Ladybank Primary School, 47 Church Street, Ladybank.