The apparent shortage of skilled tradesmen is obvious on recruitment sites, but no one seems willing to give the future workforce the training.

Companies are filling gaps with people from abroad. This means I will not be able to fulfil my goal of becoming a joiner.

Does anyone want to pass on their skills to someone who is willing and eager to learn?

If anyone would like to give me a chance, please contact me on 01382 818911. — Still Looking.

I am a student and have to subsidise this.

Added to that I’m subject to filthy looks if I choose to sit near the front of the bus and am often delayed by the time elderly people take to get on the bus.

I was recently on a Lothian bus in Edinburgh for 35 minutes at a cost of 80p. I was on a bus for just six minutes in Dundee and forked out £1.10.

In Dundee there is a monopoly. In Edinburgh competition keeps the prices reasonable. Travel Dundee needs to buck up its ideas or I’ll find an alternative.

A few years ago the elderly paid a mere 25p. I’m sure doing this again would leave nobody penniless and give cheaper travel to the rest of us. — In The Huff.

I FULLY agree with the letter from Forward Thinking about putting older people on buses specifically for them.

As the father of a young child, I am looked at like I am alien for bringing a pram aboard.

I ask the elderly to move a seat or two back, or even forward to the single seats to let someone with a pram on the bus.

It would be much appreciated. After all, we pay to use the bus. — Banker Bob.

[A spokesperson for AIM Architects, who are acting for the owners, said, “Chalmers Hall is owned by local firm Tayside Property Management. Work is due to commence on repair and conversion into flats by the end of the year.”

The building was once the Royal British Hotel, which later became Chalmers Hall, a residence for Dundee University students.

We can find no record of Frank Sinatra staying there. If he did, it was most likely during a visit to the city to sing and take in the Open Championship of 1953 at Carnoustie.]

We regularly have requests for repairs dealt within a 24 to 48 hour timescale, and emergencies almost immediately.

Dundee City Council has long been a poor landlord and their Public Works Department should have been closed down years ago, saving a us fortune on wasted Council Tax.

All repair work should be tendered out and any firm not meeting the standard agreed should have their contract terminated.

Dundee City Council’s Public Works Department appears to be allowed to carry on regardless of the service they provide. — Concerned.

Three to four months ago men came and removed the stop.

I looked forward to a new shelter, but so far there is no shelter and no bus stop.

Every other bus stop has been upgraded a few days after the old one was removed. Why does this one seem to be so difficult? — Broughty Ferry Reader.

[A Dundee City Council spokesman said, “A temporary bus stop was provided, but was stolen.

“Another temporary one will be put in place and it is hoped all new bus shelter work will be completed by the end of September.”]

I know it is their job, but it must be soul-destroying for the cleansing workers clearing up after the mess created by these aggressive birds every morning.

Any of our council members in the centre prior to 8.30am must be aware of this major health problem. — City Worker.

The only warning of the reduced services I saw was on Strathtay buses on Friday afternoon, and the staff on board did not have timetables for the few of us eagle-eyed enough to spot the notice.

In fact the conductor on the bus to Kingoodie on Monday morning appeared to be in the dark about how we were supposed to get home.

Travel Dundee are equally to blame with no notices or timetables about Monday’s skeleton service, and the few staff working could tell us nothing.

I, along with many others, rely on both companies to get me to and from work. We normally get at least a week’s notice so we can plan, but this time we got virtually nothing. — Late For Work.

After a night shift and getting home at 6am, my husband and I got up at about 10.45am to go and pick up the parcel, as the card said the office was open until 11.30.

Imagine how annoyed we were to discover when we arrived about 11.10 to discover the office closed at 11.00. — L. B. Looking.

By opposing a boundary change into their council area, Angus councillors were merely voicing the opinions of the majority of their constituents. — Aberdeen Angus.