In the years leading up to the new Millenium, the view of Dundee to many outsiders could have been summed up as Discovery, Dundee University, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Ninewells Hospital and Dundee Rep.
Few would disagree that Dundee has been transformed, much for the better, in the last decade or so.
Today, Overgate has shoppers flocking to the city from near and far and Dundee Contemporary Arts and Sensation are now favourite attractions for many. Innovation at Dundee Rep sees the internationally-acclaimed Ensemble company listed annually for awards, and the Dundee Literary Festival and the Blues Bonanza continue to go from strength to strength. Our other university, Abertay, is widely acknowledged as the backbone of the Britsh games industry.
Ambitious plans to reconnect the city with the waterfront continue apace. Housebuilding has taken off all over the city and for the first time in years the city’s population has not fallen.
When the listed Morgan Academy went up in flames, Dundonians plumped for restoration rather than demolition. When some local politicians called the proposal to bring a V&A outpost to the city a political stunt, their negativity was ignored by those with greater vision, and as a result Dundee’s profile will take a massive leap forward when the V&A branch opens in 2014.
Dundee City Council must continue to be open to ambitious plans.
The proposals for Broughty Castle and for a Dundee Museum of Transport cannot be allowed to fall by the wayside.
Admittedly, these two projects appear at a time when money is scarce. But with typical Dundonian determination they can happen. — First Generation Dundonian.
Shooting Bambi not only option
Who in their right mind shoots Bambi?
Why did the Scotriders group not ring the Scottish Deer Centre in Cupar only 15 miles away for help? Better yet, why didn’t they ring a vet or one of the gamekeepers at the Stirling Safari Park for help?
Either group could have helped Scotriders, Dundee City Council and the Tayside Police do the decent thing.
I am sure the good folk of Dundee would have generously pitched in to save this young deer.
Where has the compassion for our city gone? How can our so-called leaders let this happen? — Lisa Campbell.
Harmless beast that folk liked
I voice my disapproval of the shooting of the roe deer known as Bambi.
It lived a life of a harmless animal which most people seemed to like and caused no harm.
I feel Bambi could have been caught and placed in the countryside where its kind dwell and lived the rest of its life. — Jimmy Borland.
Why not erect a deer fence?
Poor Alan and Heather Kelly of Scotriders having to sanction the shooting of their ‘mascot’.
Maybe they should have considered erecting a deer fence around the area in question. — Valerie Bell, Ellengowan Drive.
Killing was kindest decision
One of the most wonderful things about living in Scotland is the countryside and the spectacular wildlife it holds.
You are never very far from that, even if you live in the middle of a city.
That is one of the great things about biking and one of my main reasons for learning.
I met Bambi several times during lessons at Scotriders.
It may seem harsh but “cruel to be kind” is sometimes the only option. I believe they made the right and kindest decision. — Nicola Di Marco.
Creature was no cartoon character
Those who think that Bambi was no danger should look at the Deer Commission for Scotland figures of 1000s of road accidents a year causing injury and even death.
This animal is a wild creature in an urban setting and not a character in a Disney film. — Deer oh Deer.
Annual cull but no outrage
Why is an animal that has a cull every year on it to control the population from spiralling, prompting so much debate?
What about the thousands that are shot in the glens of Scotland every year?
How many of the Tele readers who believe the decision to shoot Bambi was wrong have ate venison at some point in their life AND enjoyed it?
The council, just like with the shooting of the seagulls the other week, has made the correct and most sensible decision. — Deery Me.
Mystery solved
I saw the photograph of the painting in the Tele and recognised it immediately as a painting I produced in the early 1970s.
The subject matter no longer exists as the buildings comprised part of the Nairn Linoleum Complex in Kirkcaldy and a condemned house on an adjacent street.
At the time I was working on some paintings depicting industrial subjects in and around Kirkcaldy and Dysart.
I am a full-time artist based in Glenrothes, I studied art at both Duncan of Jordanstone and Glasgow School of Art and have exhibited widely, including The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, Edinburgh, the Royal Glasgow Institute and the Paisley Institute.
I am a member of the Paisley Arts Institute and have also been involved in numerous exhibitions at galleries throughout Central Scotland.
I would be delighted to hear from Mary by phone on 01592 775334. — David M Neilson.
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.*
