SIR, – I was thrilled to read your article on Peacock Arts Centre (P&J July 9), bringing further attention to Kathie Guthrie’s valiant efforts to make people aware of the threat present to the proposal for the centre.
The notion of paving over Union Terrace Gardens is horrific, only trumped by Ian Wood’s proposal to build yet another shopping mall accompanied by yet another dreich car park. Why on earth do we need more of the same?
The plans for the arts centre integrate it within the existing environment of the garden, complementing HMT, Aberdeen City Library and the transient international market. Essentially these plans would turn the heart of the city into a culturally rich environment, and promise to be a highly lucrative investment – not only financially, but as an investment for artists and, more importantly, supporting youth-run organisations such as White Space.
To suggest housing the centre in Iain’s Wood proposed shopping mall is insulting and cheapens the very notion of culture and free-thinking.
Jody Curtis,
100 Stockethill Court,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – I applaud the efforts of all those involved in the attempts to reduce speeding on the A82 and make it safer. But why ‘o’ why put the camera vans on the safest straights there are for overtaking on this road, where there are no identified accident blackspots. Yes, put them in the village or town limits, but use common sense. More patrols to pull over and educate those who are causing tailbacks and frustration would be of more use and better accepted by the average motorist. We did it years ago when I was in the job, so why not now?
Iain A MacColl,
24 Nevis Road,
Inverlochy,
Fort William.
I'm delighted to see so many people have ‘piped up' in support of Newtonhill Pipe Band members practising outdoors at the local primary school.
Our neighbour 50 yards or so along the road practises his piping outside from time to time on a Sunday morning, and what a pleasure it is to hear.
I'm sure the person who complained about the sound of the pipes could have their peace disturbed by a lot more intrusive and irritating noises.
Haven't Aberdeenshire Council taken their ‘stickler for rules' attitude on restriction of usage of council premises to the extreme on this occasion?
Judi Martin,
Alma,
Maryculter.
SIR, – Councillor John Stewart, the new leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Aberdeen City Council, has had something of a baptism of fire, as reported in your columns.
It appears that within minutes of him replacing Councillor Kate Dean as the leader of the Lib Dem group, his newly-elected depute leader, councillor Scott Cassie, was embroiled in allegations of financial irregularities and subsequently suspended by the group.
Mr Stewart had to hurriedly assume the convenership of the planning and enterprise committee which Mr Cassie was due to lead.
One must assume there was no other Lib Dem councillor available to perform this duty.
Then, Mr Stewart faced a series of questions about the appropriateness of his and his partner councillor Neil Fletcher’s links with a prominent local property developer. In response, he indicated that he would give up the convenership of the planning committee at the earliest opportunity.
What next, one asks?
The adage “uneasy rests the head that wears the crown” seems to be particularly appropriate in Mr Stewart’s case.
S. Jones,
98 Gaitside Drive,
Garthdee,
Aberdeen.
SIR, – If Donald Hopkins wants humour and smiles (P&J Letters, July 6), he should read Iain Maciver’s column every Monday. It is very well written and very funny – the best tonic for a dreich day in fact, and guaranteed to make you laugh and smile.
Marjory Gordon
41 Muirtown Street
Inverness.
SIR, – Indisputably, it is the greatest annual athletic event in Europe, yet I search the main TV schedules day by day and find no mention of it.
There are several English-speaking competitors this year. Why no Tour de France coverage?
B.J. Heath,
4 Strathmore Court,
Thurso.