I checked our family graves and found to my relief they had not been affected.

On a previous visit, I had a camera with me and took some pictures of areas that had been affected. I noticed there were tyre tracks where a vehicle had been reversed into the stones.

On my last visit, I did find a stone had been deliberately hauled down just behind one of my relative’s graves and the wreath had been tossed aside.

I took pictures of this and that of the middle section of the older site of the cemetery. Some of the stones look as if they have been in the scene of a war.

Now I have read that the councils of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee are going to flatten stones that are not anchored properly.

If this is the case, should the councils not inform relatives first?

Are families going to be compensated for this form of desecration, which is as bad as the destruction caused by vandals?

I would like to know what the position is on the future of Barnhill Cemetery. It should be remembered it costs a lot of money to have loved ones buried and to erect stones.

Would it not be more cost effective to have a constant security presence at cemeteries? — Concerned Dundee Resident.

[A spokesperson for the council said, “Dundee City Council is very conscious of the sensitivity and needs of individuals in the management of cemeteries.

“We try to ensure visitors can pay their respects in an environment which is tidy and safe.

“Where a dangerous headstone is identified, a number of options are considered.

“If the risk is high, this may include laying the headstone flat.

“In all cases, attempts are made to contact the last known owner.

“In relation to Barnhill there have been acts of vandalism and the department has had to act to make the areas safe.

“Attempts have been made to contact the headstone owners.

“There is a great deal of sympathy for the families affected and while there is normally a staff presence during the day, it would be costly and difficult, taking into account the size of some of the cemeteries, to provide an effective 24-hour security coverage.

“In respect of the wreath we would be grateful if Concerned Dundee Resident would be kind enough to contact the leisure and arts department so that we have an idea of the location and will investigate the concerns.”]

Another book suggests the regiment was deployed elsewhere in 1746, but doesn’t provide details. — William Nillie, Union Place, Dundee.

[The answer is yes and no. The origins of the regiment began with the mustering of six companies of Highlanders in 1729 to enforce the Disarming Act, following the 1715 rebellion.

Ten years later, additional companies were raised and the 43rd Regiment of Foot, later known as The Black Watch, was officially formed at Aberfeldy in May, 1740.

In 1743, the regiment was assembled at Perth and ordered to move to England, which did not go down well with the men who had not long returned from long service in North America.

They were marched to near London, where a mutiny took place and the men headed back north. This was quickly put down and in recognition of what were seen as legitimate grievances only three of the mutineers were shot.

The regiment was then sent to Flanders where it saw action in 1744 against the French.

The 43rd, along with the other regiments under the Duke of Cumberland, returned to Britain in 1745, but was stationed in Kent to repel any French invasion, although it was generally accepted this was also to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Meanwhile, most of the rest of the Flanders army headed north after Bonnie Prince Charlie and his men.

However, new companies, which had been raised to join the 43rd, and which were still in Scotland, joined with Cumberland and took part in the Battle of Culloden.]

The manager at the time of the new opening was Kevin Rice who created the Dundee Pub Quiz League and was the first to bring laser disc karaoke to the city. I think it cost him about £600.

I played for the Stobswell football team which was sponsored by Caskies.

I remember being in there the weekend of Dundee’s Centenary Festival. What a weekend! There was karaoke, live bands and a hypnotist.

You had to be very smartly dressed to get in. We had great characters in the pub, such as Ronnie “Monkey” Burns, Gordon “The Gudge” Traynor and Battling Pete Warden.

Great memories of the 80s. — Ex-Stobbie F.C. Boys.

IF PEOPLE really want to write about Dundee’s “in place”, it should be about The Breadalbane Arms.

That was the place to be in the 70s and 80s. Mine host was Gentleman Jimmy Stirling and the pub had everything. — Charlie Anderson, Campbell Street, Dundee.

However, pensioners who collect their pension by producing a book were all paid.

Similarly, when a public holiday crops up, people with a book are paid out two weeks pension the week previous to the holiday.

People who have a pin number are only paid one week’s money. What if some pensioner is really needing their money?

These problems should be sorted once and for all. —B. C., Monifieth.

The so-called smarter set has adopted an American trucker/trailer-trash look, complete with mullet hairdos. The neds adopt the recognisable labels-on-everything look.

Does the chapster suppose that in America, or in a parallel universe, the reverse is at play with the “in crowd” wearing dirty white socks pulled up over white shell suits, and checked caps pulled back on their heads and the neds looking like they should be playing duelling banjos? — The Fashionista.