However, this is not a new problem in Scotland and it is certainly not a new problem in Dundee.

Winston Churchill, who was MP for the city from 1908-1922, once observed in a letter to a friend that Dundee was a city of bestial drunkenness.

I wonder what he would think if he was able to see Dundee, or indeed, any major urban centre across the country, now? — Observer.

I remember Asda tried hard to get the South Road site, which has now gone to Tesco, so why don’t they take over the Lochee site plus the garage?

I think that is one solution, which would please Asda and help save older people from having to make a long journey to the nearest supermarket.

Many people I speak to are worried about having a struggle to get their shopping.

A possible Asda move would be very welcome to Lochee. — Worried Shopper.

The band played at the Festival of Remembrance in Dundee’s Caird Hall on Saturday night and were absolutely magnificent.

Their rendition of Highland Cathedral was the best I have ever heard. So much is written about the youth of today being nothing but troublemakers, but the youngsters in this band were an absolute credit to themselves, to their families and to the city of Dundee.

Not only are they great musicians, every one of them was immaculately turned out.

Well done, lads, you made a huge contribution to a memorable evening which was a fitting tribute to all who have served, and continue to serve, Queen and country. — West Ender.

[See Bulletin Board on pages 14 and 15 for more news on the 6th/8th.]

At the start of February, 2002, police in Dundee appealed after the windows of a bus in Spey Drive, Menzieshill, was attacked by a gang of about 40 boozed-up youths armed with sticks and stones (over £15,000 worth of damage was caused). Still in February, a 77-year-old woman was attacked by two assailants in Broughty Ferry.

The next day, a 72-year-old woman was assaulted in broad daylight in Peddie Street. The violent cases go on and on, which takes me up to an April report. A man is sentenced to 15 years in prison for a woman’s murder on the Law at Forfar High Court.

Today, over six years later, the violence is still going on. Nothing changes. I can go further back in time to the 80s and violent crime, dog fouling, unsociable neighbours, vandalism and other criminal happenings were being highlighted in the Evening Telegraph. — C. A. Walker, Lochee.

Darlene Love’s version of his Chapel Of Love resonated beautifully.

Darlene devotees will never forget the 45 rpm most high-profile to her here, i.e. Wait Till My Bobby Gets Home (1962) published on the London label in the UK, but in the USA it came out on Phil Spector’s own label, Philles Records.

I have the original copy of Phil’s Christmas album, A Christmas Gift For You (1963), on which Darlene sings four songs, including Winter Wonderland. The late Sonny Bono played percussion on this disc.

I can sum up Spector in one word — unique. — J. I. Matthew.

Dundee is becoming a joke in other areas of Scotland. It will be another New Year fiasco.

It is about time that someone in authority took a long, hard look at the situation and took action to ensure that Dundee, as a major urban centre in Scotland, has a suitable occasion to bring in the New Year. — Tumbleweed.