Today's News | Sport | Features | Email Contacts | Letters | Just The Job | Welcome Home | The Tele | D C Thomson | Annuals | Ads Online | Subscriptions | Old Dundee

Headlines
Sport Stories
Get the Tele from...

Letters - 18 June 2009
Time to sort our dundee postal farce
I read with horror the Tele story about the possible escalation of the postal dispute in Dundee.
The Royal Mail delivery service is a shambles, and it’s time some drastic action was taken because there is something very far wrong with the present system.

I posted a birthday card for my son-in-law on Wednesday, June 3 (1st class post) so he would receive it in plenty time before his actual birthday on the 7th.

He did not receive it until the day after.

With complaints in the Press regarding this delivery service, is it not about time the powers that be get this farce sorted out quickly because at the moment it’s a disgrace? – Robert Skelligan.

Didn’t affect concert ticket delivery
In reply to Barnhill Oasis fan, I work for Royal Mail in the east delivery office, and I assure her/him that although we’re having major problems with deliveries at the moment, these did not affect the delivery of concert tickets.
Over the last couple of days hundreds of tickets have been sent out by the suppliers, some 1st class, others special delivery.

All these tickets were delivered the same day they arrived at our office. I suggest they take their problem up with the company who they purchased the tickets from, as they seem to leave the posting as late as possible to avoid the tickets getting into the hands of touts. — Joe the Postie.

Great event at Camperdown


Congratulations to everyone who took part in Race For Life at Camperdown Park, Dundee, at the weekend.
I was there to watch my wife and her friends and there was a real carnival atmosphere.

Luckily the weather improved throughout the day and it became a fine summer outing.

Spectators were cheering everyone who passed as if they were running the London Marathon.

It’s great to see so many people lining up to help charity.

It was a well-organised and well-executed event and, best of all, it looked like everyone was having fun. — Proud Husband

Welcome honour
Christopher Lee’s knighthood is splendid news and well- deserved recognition for the Hammer Horror and Lord of the Rings actor.
Sir Christopher is deserving for many reasons. Eton-educated, he speaks German, Spanish, Russian, Danish and Swedish, a factor that I believe has boosted his movie CV.

But what reviewers never remember is that Christopher cut an LP in 1974. Released by Hammer City Records (via EMI), I have this extremely rare record, Side A featuring Chris narrating Dracula.

Side B is a selection of Hammer Films music scores, predominantly their horror catalogue (eg Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde). — J. I. Matthew.

Addicts need our support
I respond to the allegations of drug-dealing Big Issue sellers.
Whether your addiction is Mars Bars, football, pornography, cleanliness or heroin, it’s still the same.

It can derange your personality and lifestyle to such a degree that there may be no possibility of using willpower without the help of another person or agency.

Degenerative behaviour, manipulation, apathy and physical illness attends soon after the first or second “hit”, alienating friends and family who are at a loss as to know how best to help.

And an addict is never “cured” — they must fight for the rest of their life.

There must be many households in Dundee that have endured misery and upheaval from a relative or friend involved in drug addiction.

I speak from personal experience of a close relative’s life being utterly ruined by the effect of drug taking.

Big Issue sellers are on the way back up. They are trying to make that difficult change and employ their willpower, but only with support from others willing to help.

I would like to see anyone who thinks such a choice is easy, to offer to do it for a day and see what life is like for those on the streets.

Many will fall and that is when our help and support is most needed, not quick judgements or ready condemnation. — Isobel Goddard.

Struggle to get benefit
Having returned from a trip overseas last month, I am yet to receive a penny for Jobseekers Allowance.
I worked before I left for my trip (I was abroad less than a year) and have paid taxes etc.

I have been told that I have to prove I am a genuine British citizen before I can receive any payment.

Surely a British passport and birth certificate should suffice?

It angers me that I get no help, yet this country seems to bend over backwards for foreign workers. — Angry, Dundee.

Bingo night
Danceworld is having a prize bingo evening tomorrow in Menzieshill Community Centre, Dundee.
Eyes down 7.30pm. — Danceworld.

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.*
email