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Letters - 09 October 2008
Mill Lavies for all
Frankly, I’m a little embarrassed. When the Mill Lavvies was first performed 10 years ago, tickets cost £12.50. With rising costs and inflation, I thought £15 (plus booking fee of £1) wasn’t a bad price for this classic piece of Dundee theatre history.

Clearly the crowds who have flocked to see the Whitehall Theatre production of Mill Lavvies 2008 share this view.

However, there would never have been a show like this without all today’s pensioners who worked in the mills.

I’m sorry to think that Mr and Mrs Stoory Hair feel they can’t afford to come and see it this time round.

Tickets for the two Saturday matinees on October 11 and 18, cost £10.

If Mr and Mrs Stoory Hair can’t make a Saturday matinee, I’d be delighted to offer them a couple of available tickets for any evening performance of their choice for the same concessionary price of £10.

If any other pensioners feel they can’t afford the £16 ticket for the evening performances, the Mill Lavvies production team would like to hear from them at the Whitehall Theatre (01382 434940).

We want the Mill Lavvies to be there for everybody. All we need to see is your bus pass or some similar proof of age to get a concession. This offer is also extended to students and jobless, on proof of status — Stewart Ivins, Producer, Mill Lavvies, Whitehall Theatre, Dundee.

Keep parking charges


I agree with letter writer Westender, Ninewells parking charges should stay.

Being a regular attender, trying to find a space was a nightmare when parking was free. Commuters were using it as a park-and-ride facility.

I understand Vinci invested in the park under a PPF agreement, a business contract, not a donation to the NHS.

If free parking is reintroduced, there will be a return to the day of “I’m alright Jack” and indiscriminate parking. No-one likes to pay for parking but after all this is a hospital and should receive due consideration. I do believe staff should be exempt from charges. — D. D.

‘Poor’ wage
In reply to Hard Working Nurse, while she is correct about the parking charges being a disgrace, she does mention about her “poor” wage.

If this wage is so poor she might prefer to get a job elsewhere. — Barry Boon.

Lifeline for mums ...
In response to the letter from Fed Up regarding breast feeding mothers, I think this person’s problem is more to do with the babies crying in coffee shops than the mothers going ahead and feeding them. Even the most contented baby cries. That is their only way of communicating.

What does Fed Up suggest we do — not step over the door just because we are giving our children the best possible start? Being able to meet friends in coffee shops is a lifeline for lots of new mums and, luckily, the majority of people do not have a problem with it.

Just because we meet in coffee shops does not mean we are all drinking coffee, it is, after all, not the only thing that they serve. — Proud Breastfeeding Mum.

Real reason
I read with interest the views of Fed Up, who expressed concern that breastfeeding mothers are exposing their babies to the dangers of caffeine.

I believe his or her choice of nom de plume belies the real reason for the concern, which is not the babies’ well-being but the fact that babies are brought into coffee shops at all, and, horrors of horrors — babies cry.

This is not due to caffeine overload, as Fed Up suggests (anyway the mothers may be drinking decaff for all he, or she, knows), but because that is how babies communicate.

A couple of cups of coffee a day will not harm a baby; furthermore getting out and about with your baby is recommended to ward off post-natal depression and build up its immune system.

We are lucky that we live in times when breastfeeding is accepted in public. Old-fashioned views like Fed Up’s have no place in society today, and could possibly put people off breastfeeding, which, as everyone knows, is the best thing for your baby, caffeinated or not! — Dundee Mum.

Duty to protest
Recently the Tele asked the public whether they believed people should have the automatic right to demonstrate, regardless of the cost to the public purse?

All eight published supported the basic right to protest. Considering the state of the world today, I’m surprised.

Billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money is being poured into privately run financial institutions so they can stay in business.

The world economy is in chaos and the entire economic system is failing. It doesn’t bear thinking about what else might happen as a result of this.

Now our politicians are giving our money to the very people mostly responsible for getting us into this situation.

Instead of telling us it’s £10 million for this protest or £50 million for that one, tell us how the money is being used, because I don’t believe the reported figures and I don’t trust the methods used in arriving at them.

People don’t just have a right to protest, they have a duty to do so. — Canawa.

Area’s serious decline
Recently I have noticed the serious decline in the Leith Walk area of Menzieshill. It looks like it has been left to fester and crumble with the ongoing surge of undesirables being moved in from other areas around the town.

Giro drops and drug dens are what these flats are used for, not affordable, comfortable living areas for families.

Once again the council is happy to let another housing scheme fall apart. — Menzieshill Resident.

Award nominees
Easy Walkers in Kirriemuir has teamed up with local businesses to recognise the Kirrie police for their dedication.

We would like to hear from anyone who knows an officer who deserves an award.

You can text a nomination to 07518 559707 or email easywalkerstopcop@yahoo.co.uk

The winner will be announced in our newsletter.

We plan to extend the scheme to Dundee. — Daryl B, Easy Walkers.

Benefits needed now
Councillor Joe Morrow wrote to the Tele to clear up misconceptions about festive season lighting contracts.

I think he should explain why the carbuncle on Dundee’s shoreline, now dubbed “Skarne-by-the-sea”, has been allowed to develop into a concrete jungle. It is an eyesore.

No doubt we will hear the usual litany from the councillor of “future economic benefits” for the city. Does he not realise we need these benefits now?

In the current economic climate there will be a lot of homes across the city missing lights on their Christmas trees this year.

So Councillor Morrow, help the poor this Christmas without a lecture on economics. — Dundee Reader.

Get out more
Re the new crime lab proposed for Dundee, Councillor Kevin Keenan says, “Our ambitious plans for the redevelopment of Dundee’s Central Waterfront will be strengthened.”

If the council really thinks a laboratory is an enhancement to the beautiful Tay waterfront, then members and officials should get out more.

This development will do little more than waste money, leaving councillors of the future with the problem of how they can afford to demolish it. — Tiggy Butchers, Dundee.

Entertainers sought
We are looking for afternoon entertainers for a Christmas party in a care home for elderly in Dundee. We are willing to pay. If you can help please call 01382 775831. – Angela and Valerie, Activities Co-ordinators.

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.*
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