During the course of a working week my husband is frequently delayed at the end of his daily shift and does not always have the benefit of days off between the shifts as he is often cited to attend court, usually to find the accused pleading guilty on the day, or re-cited to attend another day.

The length of the current shift system and the number of days off between has had a serious impact on my relationship with my husband and also on the quality of our family life.

It’s time for a change. Chief Constable John Vine should listen to what is being said and use this opportunity to put in place a shift system which works for everyone. — Another Stressed Wife.

I worked that archaic, Draconian shift pattern for many years and know first-hand what a disastrous effect it has on all aspects of your life, both mentally and physically.

Two years ago Fife adopted the “treble 2” shift pattern. This comprises 9-hour shifts, two earlies, two lates and two nights, followed by four days off.

The advantages of this shift pattern are endless, and morale has gone through the roof. Officers are happier at their work, therefore workrate is improved.

It also gives the advantage of having two teams on duty at the busy period of the day, i.e. late evening/early morning without overtime being involved.

Tayside Police’s executive should take note that due to this shift pattern sickness rates are down and overtime is down.

I would urge Tayside Police to consider changing, as their current policy does not appear an attractive proposition and established cops may consider transferring, purely due to the shift pattern. — Non-Stressed-Out Cop.

[The Evening Telegraph film listings for Dundee 50 years ago this week, reveal there were 25 cinemas in the city.

Here they are in alphabetical order:

ABC Plaza, Hilltown; Astoria, Logie Street, Lochee; Broadway, Arthurstone Terrace; Cinema, Morgan Street; Cinerama, South Tay Street; Empire, Rosebank Street; Forest Park, Forest Park Road; Gaumont, Cowgate; Gray’s, Shepherd’s Loan; Green’s Playhouse, Nethergate; Kinnaird, Bank Street; La Scala, Murraygate; Odeon, Strathmartine Road; Princess, Hawkhill; Regal, Small’s Wynd; Regent, Top of the Hilltown; Rex, Alexander Street; Rialto, Gray’s Lane, Lochee; Royal, Arthurstone Terrace; Royalty, Baffin Street; State, Bellfield Street; Tivoli, Bonnybank Road; Vic, Victoria Road; Regal, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry and also in Broughty, the Reres in Gray Street.]

From the second week in August we have not had a stair light. I have tried several avenues to have this remedied, without success.

I spoke to my Councillor, William Lawson, who has told me letters have been put out to all home owners and if they don’t get together and get an electrician of their own to fix these lights within 28 days, then the council will do the job.

Only one owner sent his letter back to the council and now we have to wait another 28 days for any action. How many more 28 days must we wait to get lights?

I have to carry a torch with me when I go to the shops as I can’t see to climb my stairs or put my keys in my locks. — Blacked Out Tenant.

It would be better to use the Waterfront money to build a decent Dundee Bypass so outsiders” can get on their way without having to come to Dundee at all, as Perth and Aberdeen are just as good shopping centres.

Or Dundee councillors should consider, as an alternative, a decent transport interchange for all town and country buses and trains. — Local Outsider.

Ewan has Brachycephaly (a misshapen head) and needs a special starband helmet. Unfortunately the treatment is not available on the NHS, so we are trying to raise the money. —

Karen Brownlee (01382 500659 or 524575).

I suggest the council uses the money to finance a job evaluation exercise in the Housing Division. I reckon a large amount of money could be saved in wages. Then they wouldn’t need new office space. — Big Wull.

Those who don’t understand the consequences of their actions should be kept in a hospital for treatment. — Pageboy.

Would Politico prefer they abandon their principles at the first whiff of power, as other parties have done? Sometimes, as I am sure Politico agrees, principles are more important. — Political Watcher.