Yet against this proud and positive background we have a corrosive influence, highlighted in recent articles, of vandalism, anti-social behaviour, drug taking and a myriad of social problems, which one may readily conclude are gaining ascendancy. But they are not and must not.

Personally one can readily become disheartened.

We have all to bear in mind, however, that by far the majority of our citizens are law-abiding, decent, hardworking people whose only wish is to live peaceably in their communities, provide for their families and bring up their children, encouraging them to have standards and values.

This is what we must never lose sight of and, whether we are Elected Members, officials or individual citizens, it is to those families that we must give unstinting loyalty and commitment.

Soft words, lip service, failed initiatives will not do. Many families who are experiencing these difficulties do not have the economic capacity to move elsewhere.

There is nothing more disheartening for people to come home from work to an area or tenement block with rubbish strewn about and the overpowering stench of urine in the close and areas defaced with graffiti.

This is the reality for a number of my constituents and can be repeated throughout the city. I think there is a serious question to be addressed as to whether we are, as a local authority, sufficiently active in enforcing the missives and agreements in the management within housing estates.

Within the area I represent good work is being undertaken by the SMART Community Group, the churches, police and others — their work must be recognised and supported.

It seems to me a lack of self-respect is a major contributory factor to the malaise we are experiencing, not only in Dundee, but throughout the country. If an individual or family have no, or little, self-respect then they can have no respect for a neighbour or the community.

When I first entered the Council, I represented an area of the city that had extremely poor housing with outside toilets, etc, but almost without exception the homes were kept more like “little palaces”. Everything was kept clean because people had self-respect and respect for their neighbours.

Tragically in some areas throughout the city these values now appear to me to have little currency. — Councillor Ian Borthwick, J.P., (Brackens).

The so-called security entrance system for the common close has been inadequate almost from day one. Despite repeated requests to Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, nothing is being done.

Recently, I heard the front door to our close being thumped. When I opened my flat door I encountered three young girls opening my neighbour’s flat door.

Our common close entrance area looks a bit like Beirut on a bad day, with damage to the walls, ceilings and skylight control panel. It is also being used for the abuse of drugs.

An additional problem is the young guys riding their mini motorbikes at speed, not only on the roads, but also on pavements, sometimes after midnight.

Some of these youths are as young as 12 and these maniacs do so without helmets, lights and, I suspect, insurance or driving licences. — Ardler Resident.

When is Dundee Council going to realise that it’s people who make a place nice to live, not new houses?

The answer seems to be that when a scheme becomes run down, demolish it and build another one, then put all of the anti-social tenants back in, so that in a few years time, we’re back to square one.

As an ex-resident of Ardler, I feel sorry for the decent people there who have to live next to a handful of undesirables. Nothing will change unless the police come down hard on these people, but let’s face it, that’s not going to happen. — The Realist.

Claypotts Castle PS was due to move to the new school in August but as yet, the site has not been cleared and no work, preparatory or otherwise, seems to have taken place in the last months.

The council claimed Brackens School community is kept closely informed of progress.

There’s been no sign of that at Claypotts, and I found no mention of the PPP project in any of the education committee minutes.

It seems the project is running well behind schedule and no doubt the costs are soon to increase.

Come on, Dundee City Council, and let us know what is happening. — Another Concerned Parent.

If, as a writer said, the point is to alert emergency services to children, then display it in the front windscreen along with any relevant medical information.

These signs, and all of their variants, are a foolish placebo.

There is no better safety measure than driving with due care and attention.

And to prove my point, just the other week I saw one that said “Gran’s Taxi”. I doubted she was a registered taxi: as without any indication, she stopped and proceeded to perform an illegal U-turn. — Jim Murray.

People too frightened to go out into traffic without a “Baby On Board” or a “Keep Your Distance” sign should not be allowed on the road. — Fintryman.

In fact, most careful drivers realise the sign should be read as, “Mother who has not had enough sleep and is distracted by small children. Keep well clear.”

That is why drivers keep well back. — Careful Driver.

I wish I hadn’t bothered now. I sat through the whole film and they never played Bohemian Rhapsody once. And as for that Helen Mirren, she looked nothing like Freddie Mercury.

I’ve a good mind to ask for my money back. — Robert Dye, Yarrow Terrace, Dundee.

It was written by Ronald Jamieson and Harry Leon and released in 1953 in time for the Queen’s Coronation on June 2, that year. It was recorded by Billy Cotton and his band and Dickie Valentine. I can still recall singing it at a school concert to celebrate the occasion. — Sheena Wellington, City Quay, Dundee.

In A Golden Coach

Spoken: On a day in June, when the flowers are in Bloom, that day will make History, yes, world history. The warm, friendly sun will shine down on dear old London town, and this wonderful picture you’ll see.

Sung:

In a golden coach, there’s a heart of gold

Driving through old London town

With the sweetest Queen the world’s ever seen

Wearing her golden crown

As she drives in state through the palace gate

Her beauty the whole world will see

In a golden coach there’s a heart of gold

That belongs to you and me

Sung, with chorus and sound effects:

In a golden coach, there’s a heart of gold

Driving through old London town

She’s the sweetest Queen the world’s ever seen

Wearing her golden crown

As she drives in state through the palace gate

Her beauty the whole world will see

In a golden coach there’s a heart of gold

That belongs to you and me

[Thanks also to Paul Morgan, D. Paton, Andy Hughes and T. Maxwell for their responses.]

I am involved in the building trade and Mr Issa overlooked my small company when he got his premises renovated. We are in the phone book and were not asked to quote.

If a supermaket reduces traffic congestion (parking on the pavement etc.) and makes this area safer for pedestrians, I am all for it. — Fintry Resident.