I find it astonishing that just after announcing the downgrading of Balmossie Fire Station, we are now told by Tayside Fire & Rescue we are more likely to die in a house fire in Scotland than anywhere else in Western Europe.
I think the members of the Fire Board need to take a long hard look at themselves.
I’m sure many readers will remember that we used to have a fire station in Broughty Ferry with two fire engines and a fire station in Monifieth with one fire engine. Now they are proposing one part-time fire engine at night. Have they taken leave of their senses?
No doubt this will be glossed over with the argument it is better to prevent fires happening in the first place.
But we have to have the resources to put fires out when they happen. — Very Worried, Broughty Ferry.
Halley’s window puzzle
I worked in William Halley’s on Broughty Ferry Road, Dundee, during the 70s, serving my apprenticeship and wonder if any readers could answer a question for me?
Since the demolition of the more recent factory, a piece of the building has become visible that I never noticed before.
In the middle of the building there are windows that are stylistically different from the rest and, possibly, where a clock had been mounted high up in the wall.
Was this the owner’s office — hence the fancier windows? I would be interested to find out. — Terry Small, 63 Portree Avenue, Dundee.
Balgillo Park problems
Having read the letters in the Tele regarding Sandy Park in Balgillo, Dundee, I feel it necessary to bring to your attention that this is not the only problem in the area.
In 2007, my husband and I got in touch with Councillor Rod Wallace regarding having Twenty’s Plenty signs erected at the entrance to Balgillo Park via Dores Drive.
Mr Wallace dealt with this matter, but we feel the response we received from Iain Sherrif of the Roads and Transport Department was inadequate.
It appears the council do not seem to be overly concerned about the safety of our children. — Concerned Parent.
Hoping for results
Yet again Councillor Rod Wallace says he will look after the interests of the Sandy Park at Balgillo Park. I hope we see some results.
Over the last seven years he has not paid too much attention to the park’s decline and neither has the management company who look after it.
The management company do not repair the broken equipment, but just take it away.
The kids have less and less to play on and the park is just left dirty and forgotten. It’s time Dundee City Council took over the park and made it a nice, safe place for the kids in the area to play in. — Balgillo Park Resident.
BBC money
I’m hardly surprised a recent correspondent has realised that Radio 2 is not what it used to be. In fact, I think he or she will find that the BBC as a whole is not what it used to be.
In an era where we have such a big choice as to what we watch or listen to, it is no surprise that some are sick of being forced to fund the lavish lifestyles of many BBC employees and the extortionate wages of some of their ‘stars’.
The BBC raises £240 million per year revenue in Scotland alone, and £3.4 billion through the collection of television licence fees nationwide. I, like many others, can only wonder how this stealth tax is still allowed to exist in a democratic country. — The Watcher.
City centre mess
On visiting Dundee city centre on Saturday afternoon I was dismayed to see the spectacle (pictured) in the Nethergate.
Not the best example for anyone visiting from outside the city. I think whoever is responsible for this should apologise and ensure it doesn’t happen again. — Proud to Live in Dundee.
Don’t force children to stay in school
As part of a new Government initiative, those beginning secondary school in England this week will be the first required to stay in full-time education until17. Two years from now, English pupils starting secondary school will see school-leaving age raised again to 18.
In my view, this new policy is entirely wrong.
For many 16-year-olds, much better routes to success exist outside the classroom, in the real world of work. What’s more, a new batch of classroom-taught vocational diplomas simply won’t give young people the practical on-the-job skills so many businesses need. Get them into work and train them there.
I have no doubt the policy will disrupt schools, produce fewer skilled people and ultimately prove itself a failure. In the meantime, the Government’s real crime will be to have wasted the potential of those 16-year-olds, unsuited to higher education, who would relish the kind of trade apprenticeship I was privileged to take up at 16.
We have to hope that any plans to import this misguided policy north of the border gains no mileage at Holyrood. — Gerard Eadie, Chairman CR Smith Ltd, Vice-Chair of the Prince’s Trust in Scotland.
AGM
The Local Management Group of Charleston Community Centre & Library, Craigowan Road, Dundee, are having their AGM on Thursday, September 18, at 7pm. This will be followed by the Alec Craigie Award for voluntary work in Charleston.
All welcome. Please come along and support us. Refreshment will be provided. — Jacki Hughes (Committee Member).
THE ADDRESS for readers’ letters is - Readers’ Page, Evening Telegraph, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. They can also be placed in our post box at our offices in Albert Square, Dundee, emailed to us on letters@eveningtelegraph.co.uk or faxed on 01382 454590. We ask correspondents using a nom-de-plume or sending by e-mail to provide a name and address for reference purposes. The editor reserves the right to reject or edit any letter. Please keep letters as short as possible.*
