It was with great sadness that I read of Dundee City Council’s plans to cancel Dundee’s traditional Christmas celebrations.
According to the SNP on the council, this move is to encourage more people to become involved and to avoid problems with barriers at the main event in City Square.
It may have escaped Administration leader Ken Guild’s notice, but the vast majority of people in this city will be celebrating Christmas in December, not the Winter Light Night.
I completely understand and agree with the concerns expressed by churches on this matter. Dundee has a long history of celebrating diversity. But to truly embrace diversity, one must respect the rights of others to maintain the traditions which are important to them.
I firmly believe that the people of Dundee have a right to continue to have their tradition of celebrating Christmas respected in this way. And if there really is a problem with the barriers, I suggest the SNP get it sorted instead of cancelling our much-loved traditional CHRISTMAS celebrations. — Jill Shimi.
Can’t understand change
I have lived in Dundee all my life. I have raised my children in our magnificent city and now enjoy precious time with my grandchildren.
I always enjoy this time of year and was proud of how the excitement of Christmas was portrayed with the traditional switch-on in our city square. I can’t understand why it has been changed. — Tam Santa McCabe, Earn Crescent.
Switch-on still going ahead
Too often members of the Dundee public seem to have a draconian attitude to change in any format.
No-one is taking away the switching on of the Christmas Lights. The Council are simply adding to this year’s events with free gigs, light shows projected onto some of our best-known buildings, and other activities involving local children’s groups such as the Boys Brigade and Scouts!
I read in a national newspaper that there was a similar event in Liverpool last year that attracted over 40,000 people.
If the event in Dundee got half of that number, then think what that will do for the local economy. — Young Dundonian, Tullideph Road.
‘Worked up over nothing’
Am I the only one fed up by the faux outrage over the Winter Light Night?
The Christmas lights are still going to be switched on and there is a variety of Christmas and Christian events. The whole thing has just been made bigger to be more of an event.
It seems to me that every year a certain section of society gets worked up over nothing.
The damage done to Dundee’s reputation has been immeasurable. — Political Connoisseur.
Hedge needs tidied
I write regarding the trees and hedges on Happyhillock Road, Dundee, next to the bus stop.
They are badly needing cut, as many people get them in their face.
This has happened to me on a number of occasions and it is not pleasant, particularly in the bad weather when you also get wet.
Surely it’s not too much to ask to have a tidy street to walk along? — Pensioner.
Dundee debut for Shirley?
A friend says the actress Linda Henry, who plays Shirley in EastEnders, began her acting career in Dundee.
Is this true? — Curious, Dundee.
[We can find no specific mention of Linda in Dundee.
However, the London-born actress did join a theatre group in Edinburgh at the age of 16 and it is possible she appeared in Dundee as part of the group.]
Ban troublemakers from bus
I agree with the letter writer who said conductors would be good for buses.
My daughters travel to school this way. They are also disgusted with the bad behaviour of some pupils on the bus. Concerns have been raised to the school and warnings have been given.
One suggestion has been to stop the service. However, this would punish a lot of well-behaved children.
The kids responsible should be banned from the bus, as they don’t seem to know or want to behave. A conductor wouldn’t stop this. I think that those responsible should be banned from the bus. — Mother.
Begging law
As I walked along Dundee’s Murraygate, outside O2’s shop sat a young man begging.
He had a dog sitting beside him. I asked how he could afford the upkeep of a dog? Silence was the reply.
When I passed later, he was still sitting there, soaking wet and an old blanket over his dog as the rain poured down.
It’s about time a law was brought out against begging in the streets and the RSPCA should take this dog from this person. — Shopworker.
Be happy to have trade and jobs
I read about workers upset Tesco is open on Boxing Day. I wonder what all the fuss is about.
I work for Debenhams and we’re always open Boxing Day, and only recently started shutting on New Year’s Day, with last year being the first.
I’m thankful to be employed, especially in this current climate.
We should be grateful there is a demand for our trade. — Bemused, Dundee.
Asda bus
Regarding the inquiry over the free Asda bus.
The response was overwhelming, but unfortunately I have been unable to answer some calls due to sheer volume.
Details have been passed on to our new General Store Manager, Martin Green. — Mary Robertson, Events Co-ordindator, Asda, Kirkton.
Missing cat
Harvey is a timid, white, neutered male, 3-year-old cat with blue eyes. He has been missing from the Corner Hotel area of Carnoustie from Sunday, November 15.
If anybody thinks they may have seen him, please get in touch.
A reward will be given on his safe return. Contact 01241 856154. — Eleanor Greig, Dundee Street, Carnoustie.
Buttons request
The Cancer shop in Lochee would like donations of buttons, beads and broken necklaces for a project. Please hand them into the Highgate Centre, Lochee. — Volunteer.
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