Letters Page

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Skill and quality of Glencraft

SIR, – When we moved house a few years ago we needed new beds. We browsed nearly every furniture shop but couldn’t find anything decent among the usual trendy clutter. Then we found Glencraft.

Not only did they have the style of bedframes we were looking for, they also made them to measure, delivered them and constructed them in our new home.

The beds are of top quality wood, beautifully finished and crafted.

It is a huge embarrassment that the skill and quality delivered by Glencraft is allowed to perish. Public opinion won’t remain indifferent on this matter.

Aberdeen City Council’s decision and Kate Dean’s statement that Glencraft has been given a lot of money but has failed to prove sustainability will be seen for what it is: evidence of an attitude that dismisses those whose contribution cannot be valued solely on the basis of moneymaking as utterly dispensable.

The people responsible for the future of Glencraft couldn’t have shown their true face in a more blatant manner. If they had wanted Glencraft to stay in existence, they would have found a way.

In the much debated Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan, our public servants see themselves as leading the way towards “creating a more inclusive society”. Deeds not words, Aberdeen City Council.

Regina Erich,

Willow Row,

Stonehaven.

Lisbon Treaty ‘betrayal’

SIR, – The betrayal is complete. The Lisbon Treaty is now signed by all, and our elected parliaments will soon become no more than EU functionaries.

Call-Me-Dave’s promise of “no more power to Brussels without a referendum” is mere rhetoric. Brussels now has all the power it needs. Why does anybody think the EU gave in so easily and allowed us to keep imperial measures? Because they knew that the Lisbon Treaty would mean that our elected representatives could be ordered to pass legislation to metricate us (and adopt the euro).

Mr Cameron has said that the treaty is a done deal, but that is true only while we remain part of the EU. Leaving the union could be the biggest disaster that could befall us, but it is our right as citizens of a democracy to be given the chance to take that risk. If Alec Salmond and Co. believe that an independent Scotland could stay in the EU and still be awash with oil money, they’d better think again.

There will be bean-counters in Brussels who will have other ideas. One answer is for all eurosceptics to vote UKIP if possible, or not vote at all if there’s no candidate.

Neil Dunbar,

Pennyland Drive,

Thurso.

Danger in a country far away

SIR, – Remembrance Sunday is our time to honour loved ones who gave their lives to our country so that we who were left could have a peaceful life. It seems strange to the man in the street that the UK Government and its leaders, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, see fit to put the lives of all our servicemen and women in danger in a country far away, where the main industry is growing and supplying drugs throughout the world. Afghanistan also promotes death towards the western world.

It’s time for the UK to get its business in order and withdraw from all conflicts that produce death.

Regarding our finances, the UK is bust and without the help of other countries I cannot see how we can get rid of the Taliban.

Gavin D Elder,

Mallard Drive,

Peterhead.

Praise for Highland councillor

SIR, – I read in the Press and Journal (Saturday, November 7) of the conflict among Highland councillors because one of their numbers refused to vote in favour of a £25,000 payment for temporary cover to allow the social work director, Harriet Dempster, time off.

Well done sir for objecting. If Ms Dempster wants to swan around as head of a national social work organisation then perhaps she should seek employment with them and not Highland Council.

What real, not perceived, benefit will come to the council from her other role? None, I imagine, apart from an ego boost to herself. With cutbacks and shortfalls across local authority budgets, more councillors making these kind of comments and objections are exactly what we the council taxpayers in the Highlands need.

It is time that elected members got their heads round the idea that when times are hard they must behave as the electorate does and cut any unnecessary expenditure and live within their means.

Alastair Armitstead,

Morven,

Achiltibuie.

Unforgettable concert from choir

SIR, – On Friday, November 6, I was privileged to be part of the audience at St James Church, Holburn Junction, listening to an unforgettable concert by the Voskreenije (Resurrection) Choir from St Petersburg in Russia.

There are no words to adequately describe their performance.

The singing was flawless perfection and it is little wonder that they received a standing ovation at the end. All credit to St James’s Church for attracting a choir of this calibre to our city.

Thelma Milne

Leggart Terrace,

Aberdeen.

Old Scottish Parliament

SIR, – Jim Conn’s statement (Letters, November 7) that the old Scottish Parliament “has been in suspense since the Union of 1707” is incorrect. The old parliament adjourned on March, 25, 1707, to April 22, but did not reconvene on April 22. Thus the notion that it has been deep-frozen ever since and can somehow be recalled. However, this overlooks the fact that the old parliament was formally dissolved by proclamation on April 28, 1707, as can be confirmed by reference to the Register of the Privy Council of Scotland.

Alexander Waugh,

Pantoch Gardens,

Banchory.

Politicians and nappies

SIR, – The story about The Nappy Laundry Company in Stonehaven and Alex Salmond (Press and Journal, November 6) brought to mind a quotation about politicians and nappies – “Politicians are like nappies. They should be changed regularly, for the same reason”.

David Brown,

Queens Crescent, Aberdeen.