Fair’s Fair letter was ambiguous. He or she felt teachers should spend their holidays undergoing training, but then signed off saying he or she “wouldn’t do the job for all the tea in China”.
Fair’s Fair letter was ambiguous. He or she felt teachers should spend their holidays undergoing training, but then signed off saying he or she “wouldn’t do the job for all the tea in China”.
My daughter is a primary school teacher and says herself teachers do get long holidays, but she and her colleagues feel they are deserved.
Far too many parents look upon school as a babysitting service and the Government expects teachers to educate about healthy eating, dental hygiene and exercise as well as traditional subjects.
Why should teacher training days cause problems? People who have children should be prepared to look after them. — Teacher’s Mum, Forfar.
Plumber plea
My 16-year-old grandson is looking for an apprenticeship as a plumber.
My 16-year-old grandson is looking for an apprenticeship as a plumber.
In third and fourth year at school he attended the college on day release and for the past six months he has been at college on a pre-apprentice electrical plumbing course, which finishes in January.
In June he sent away 26 CVs to companies but only received answers from four. A few weeks ago he sent away another 17 CVs and as yet no replies. This is so disheartening as he is desperate to be a plumber.
Can any firm explain why there are no vacancies for youngsters like my grandson who are desperate to learn a trade?
Does this mean that he and others are going to be another statistic or will some firm give him a chance please? — Mrs C.
Old friends back in touch
The class of 48 at Dens Road Primary
I was delighted to read the letter from former Dundonian Margaret Shaw, who now lives in Ipswich, appealing for old friends to get in touch.
I was delighted to read the letter from former Dundonian Margaret Shaw, who now lives in Ipswich, appealing for old friends to get in touch.
We have had a great time reminiscing on the phone.
I also have a cutting from the Tele which showed Margaret as a child.
The original photograph was of a class at Dens Road Primary in 1948.
Margaret is in the middle of the second back row wearing a white dress with a flower in her hair. — Mrs Barty, Fleming Gardens South, Dundee.
All in a day’s work?
Well done to the two police officers who helped the residents of a Hilltown tenement during this week’s fire. It was refreshing to hear them say it was all in a day’s work.
Well done to the two police officers who helped the residents of a Hilltown tenement during this week’s fire. It was refreshing to hear them say it was all in a day’s work.
But why, then, is Tayside police shelling out another £600,000 of our money to reward officers who “interact with the public”. Is this not all in a days work? — D.H.
Angus Council flag costs £9500
I write to correct the figures quoted by Mr Brand regarding the introduction of an Angus flag.
I write to correct the figures quoted by Mr Brand regarding the introduction of an Angus flag.
£9500 is the amount it will cost to fly the flag alongside the Saltire on nine key council buildings across the county.
We have introduced the flag to promote the same sense of pride in the county as people clearly have for the country and flying both flags will emphasise both the unique identity of Angus and its place in Scotland.
The new flag has been designed to comply with the requirements of the Lord Lyon’s office in relation to the permitted reproduction of the county crest.
The crest is the long-established symbol of the county, used by Angus Council and its predecessor authorities, so we have no need of any “re-branding”. — Councillor Bob Myles, Angus Council Leader.
Intriguing suggestion
Nick Brand asks, “How does the Angus Alliance propose to justify its expenditure on this ridiculous neo-baronial flag to the already financially hard-pressed council tax payers of Angus?”
I believe I know one way this could be achieved. I wrote to councillors about this controversy. I received a reply from the Deputy Provost, Councillor Peter Murphy.
He said that, although he “felt obliged for the sake of unity in the Angus Alliance to bite the bullet and subscribe to the likes of the Angus flag”, he nevertheless considered that the Saltire should take priority.
“We take the view that the Saltires should remain and over a period of time the Angus flag could eventually fly alongside the Saltire.”
Regarding the financing of this, Councillor Murphy had an intriguing suggestion.
“I think personally that the money to provide the additional costs involved should be met by the Alliance councillors out of their own pockets.” — Dave Coull, Balnabreich Cottages, Careston, near Brechin.
Flag means nothing
As a pensioner I pay full council tax to Angus and I object to spending money on a flag that means nothing to the majority of the people. — Upset.
As a pensioner I pay full council tax to Angus and I object to spending money on a flag that means nothing to the majority of the people. — Upset.
Lochee resident’s solution
I live in the Eastwell Estate, Lochee, and once again have had to clean eggs from my windows.
I live in the Eastwell Estate, Lochee, and once again have had to clean eggs from my windows.
One seems to find that throwing eggs is the only way to entertain him or herself at 10.30 pm at night.
Not only is there egg throwing but three cars in the area have been dented by a football.
The police have been called and a parent spoken to, but without hard evidence they can’t act and the parent appears not to care.
So I will install CCTV to catch these culprits. — Angry.
Student debt
Dundee University Students’ Union president Milan Bogunovic should be praised, not condemned, for his comments regarding the appalling decision made by the SNP on student debt.
Dundee University Students’ Union president Milan Bogunovic should be praised, not condemned, for his comments regarding the appalling decision made by the SNP on student debt.
Milan was right in highlighting a manifesto pledge was unfulfilled.
He was speaking on behalf of the students who voted for the SNP in the belief their debt of over £20,000 would be wiped once they graduate. — Phil Welsh (Mature Student).
Taxi system
There is currently a three- tier system in place regarding plates on Dundee taxis.
There is currently a three- tier system in place regarding plates on Dundee taxis.
The trade wants numbers capped and Dundee City Council wants the disabled catered for.
The answer to these points is to make everybody the same.
The council should make every taxi owner operate to a European approved vehicle by a certain date.
When this is in place taxis would all have the same licence conditions, taxi numbers would fall and also the council would have 100% accessible taxis for the disabled. — End The Strike.
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