I agree with reader Peter Keith’s letter regarding the state of the Law in Dundee. It just looks like an overgrown weed. I used to see the hill in full view from my window as I live right beside it, but it is such a mess and there is absolutely no need to have all those trees up there.
I speak to dog walkers in my neighbourhood and they feel afraid walking their dogs in Law Crescent at night.
Anyone could be lurking within the woods.
The council should at least take away the trees or even plant newer ones, but not as many as we have now.
The Law is visited by many tourists and the road up there is an embarrassment, too, and full of pot holes.
This viewing area is supposed to be a tourist attraction in the city but when people drive up they are thrown all over the place with the state of that road.
So come on Dundee City Council, get something done about the Law. — R. J., Dundee.
Why put children at risk?
I read the letter from Caring Mother and Driver in the Tele about dangerous parking at Dens Road Primary School.
I went to the Fairbairn Street side of the school to see what was happening. I spoke to two drivers who parked on the hatchings and explained very politely that this was both dangerous to children and illegal.
I’m glad to say both drivers were courteous in response.
It’s a small number of parents who cause the problems. It may be just thoughtlessness, but why put children at risk?
I’m glad that most parents show the good sense to find a legal space a short distance away and walk to the school from there. — Jimmy Black, SNP Councillor, Coldside.
Radio demise inevitable
I was a presenter on a major station across east central scotland in Fife presenting daily, evenings and weekend breakfast. Sad to say, but the demise of local radio has been coming for some time now.
Stations bring in new technology to allow presenters to voice track a five-hour show within 30 minutes, meaning that on computer playout systems a presenter just needs to add his voice in between the music that is selected.
This is why I lost my job after 10 years in the industry as they couldn’t afford to pay presenters the full-time night-time rate.
Local radio is finished as the money isn’t there anymore and stations have to depend on other means to survive.
I have a diploma in Media yet find myself driving taxis in Dundee for now and some fellow driving colleagues find it unbelievable. As far as job losses at radio stations are concerned, it’s not as easy as you think to get back into this business. — Former Radio Presenter.
Black Watch Memorial
I was intrigued by your recent article which concluded by saying that three of Dundee’s SNP parliamentarians welcomed the award of UK Lottery Funding to renovate The Black Watch Memorial, just north of the city.
I attend the Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying ceremony at The Black Watch Memorial every year and, as far as I am aware, the only Dundee parliamentarian who is ever in attendance is Dundee West MP Jim McGovern.
I have yet to see any of the three mentioned in your article paying their respects. — WWII Veteran’s Grandson.
Old tradition
I reply to the criticism of bullfighting, which appeared in the Tele recently. It is a Spanish tradition which is loved by many but also hated by many. Despite what people say, bullfighting will never be stopped in Spain and why should it?
It is not really a spectacle for tourists, it is for Spaniards. If a tourist wants to go, they will go. If they are against violence to animals, then stay away.
I went to a bullfight a couple of years ago in Valencia. It was a great atmosphere and a great day out, but I must admit that when the bull is killed it is sad, but that is what these animals are bred for. — Viva Espane, Ole.
Catchment area needs looked at
In reply to “Concerned Parent” who wrote of children in the new Downfield PS catchment area being able to enrol at Craigowl PS, my son is one of those children in this position.
He attended Macalpine PS for five years until that was closed and demolished and was given the choice between going to the new Downfield or Craigowl schools.
We decided as a family that he would attend Craigowl as that was the merger school of Brackens and Macalpine PS, but also Macalpine nursery.
Why should he then have to give up those friends and attend a brand new school where he won’t know many of the other children?
True he would get to know them in time, but this move would initially be upsetting for a young child.
The problem as far as I can see is not that children such as my son are attending a school they have every right to, but in moving the catchment areas.
The new school could have been larger and built on the McAlpine site instead of having the new St Andrews PS built there which should have been built either on the new Downfield PS site or on the St Margaret’s site.
We now have a situation where children are having to travel much further to their new schools than they were with the locations of their old schools.
I feel the decisions in positioning the new schools have been made with a view to what land can now have housing built on them as opposed to more important issues. — Scott, Dundee.
Iain Gray
I have just read one of the main candidates for the Labour Leadership in Scotland, Iain Gray, is suggesting that Labour should work closely with the Conservatives in the Scottish Parliament to combat the SNP.
Just a few years ago who would have thought that we would see a UK Labour Government that is more right wing that the Tories, a Labour/Tory coalition administration in Dundee City Council and now Labour proposing working with the Tories at Holyrood?
When are the traditional Labour supporters going to wake up to the fact that their party has been taken over and no longer even tries to represent the interests of ordinary people preferring to woo big business and its interests? — Disillusioned.
Olympic effort
Britain’s athletes deserve a huge pat on the back for their efforts at the Beijing Olympics.
Chris Hoy’s personal tally meant the honour of carrying the Union Flag at the closing ceremony was a formality. I agree with Jimmy Borland, this unassuming young man deserves a knighthood.
In total 70 British athletes returned with a medal, a number far greater than anyone could ever have imagined.
Hopefully this success will make more young people aware of sport.
Further investment from the Westminster and Holyrood governments will be required if similar outcomes at London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 are to be realised. — Proud Briton.
Take action on car tax dodgers
The DVLA are constantly on about evaders have nowhere to hide, well they are safe in Lochee.
Around Whorterbank/Burnside Street there are at least four cars or vans which have been out of tax for months on end. Despite phoning their hotline, these vehicles are driven daily without road tax and probably no MOT or insurance.
If the DVLA can’t be bothered to sort tax dodgers, they should pass the details to the police and let them deal with it. — I’ve Paid.
Car boot sale
A car boot sale is taking place at Charleston Primary School, Dundee, on August 31. Set-up 12-12.30, open 12.30-3.30. £5 per car, all welcome. — Parent Council.
Boots found
While out walking my dog on Sunday, August 24, I found a pair of football boots. If anyone would like to claim them contact me on Dundee 623658. — Reader.
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