Letters Page

Published:

Claustrophobia and aching joints at HMT

SIR, – Following Jim Talbot’s letter (Press and Journal, March 29) regarding the “excruciating” seating arrangements at His Majesty’s Theatre, Duncan Hendry presented an inadequate defence (Press and Journal, April 1) of the choices made during the recent refit. Torturous seats were allowed to remain to maintain auditorium aesthetics.

May I add my own plea for mercy on behalf of those having to sit in the upper circle or – perish the thought – the balcony.

I am 5ft 2in and yet the lack of adequate leg and elbowroom at these upper levels in the house induces extreme claustrophobia as well as aching joints. While it would impact on revenue, which has to be a consideration, would it be such a visually aesthetic sin to remove alternate rows of seating in the upper circle and balcony, thus guaranteeing the comfort of at least some patrons?

Also, HMT’s handicapped patrons would appreciate it if the bell at the stalls door could be mended. And while we are at it, bring back the tea and coffee trolley at the rear of the stalls. This would cut down on the wait in the main foyer.

Val Street, St Ronan’s Circle, Peterculter.

Ravens and farmers’ lambs

SIR, – The cross-compliance supplement issued by the then Scottish Executive 2007 (annex 4) says it is a requirement that, for animals not kept in buildings, you must give them protection from predators, and that lack of protection is a medium breach where this has not caused unnecessary pain, distress or injury to an animal.

If there is unnecessary pain, then it is rated “high”.

I took this up with the Scottish Executive in Edinburgh as I was worried not only by the loss of lambs, but also the effect on my subsidy.

The outcome was that it was quite in order for ravens to cause my lambs pain and distress, but that, if a lamb was suffering and I did nothing about it, only then had a breach of cross-compliance occurred.

Ravens used to be a rarity seen only in ones and twos. Now I have seen them maim and kill in groups of 20.

J.A.C. Hampton,

Langwell Beag, near Ardgay,

Sutherland.

Council permission needed to fix leak

SIR, – I would like to reassure your readers that Scottish Water dealt promptly with the leak referred to in your article headlined “Water leak not dealt with for more than two weeks” (Press and Journal, April 3).

We assessed the leak as soon as it was reported to us and we were keen to fix it but could not do so until the roads department at Aberdeen City Council gave permission. I hope this clarifies matters.

Jason Rose,

Scottish Water,

Henderson Drive,

Inverness.

Midmar pub sorely missed

SIR, – While I, like many of your readers, have sympathy with the owners over the failure of their business at the Midmar Inn (Press and Journal, April 1), it is very wrong of them to blame their customers. When their requirements were not met, they went elsewhere for eating out and entertainment.

These customers will return if the inn reopens and, with investment, will come in greater numbers as the local population in nearby towns is growing fast.

The village pub is sorely missed. It is for the local planning authority to say if it may be changed from a highly valued local amenity and business to a private housing development, but local people have a right to make their views known.

James Bidwell,

Balblair, Midmar,

Aberdeenshire.

Worries over stun guns for police

SIR, – Your article “Police want 50,000-volt weapons in patrol cars” (Press and Journal, April 3) is extremely disturbing.

The Chief Constable of Northern Constabulary, Ian Latimer, has been in favour of these weapons for years.

I believe it is paramount to have respect for the police, but this must work both ways, and I believe there is enough evidence that people will accept that the police can be very aggressive in the manner they adopt.

Nothing will be worse than overzealous bobbies shooting from the hip before proper mediation can take place. There is also the genuine concern that a person with a heart condition might fatally succumb to the high voltage that emits from these lethal weapons.

Let us take great care before the Highlands of Scotland resemble the Wild West.

Michael Campbell,

Leanaig, Conon Bridge,

Ross-shire.

Windfarm benefits ‘not proven’

SIR, – Lorne MacLeod praises windfarms (Press and Journal, April 2) saying “considerable benefits can be brought to communities from having their own income streams”.

Readers should be wary of those who say the public will benefit from windfarms because that’s not proven. Mr MacLeod appears unaware that parliament has asked the UK Government’s chief scientific officer to research the possibility that mechanical vibrations from windfarms installed on peat are an environmental hazard likely to seriously harm taxpayer and business interests such as whisky, bottled waters and tourism.

I asked Mr Macleod’s associates, Highland Alternative Energy, the wind turbine manufacturers’ umbrella body, British Wind Energy Association, and local authorities in the north and north-east if they will indemnify taxpayer and business interests against such consequential loss.

No one is prepared to, and I doubt Mr MacLeod will, so communities should be wary about who wins and who loses from windfarms.

Dixie Dean,

Queen’s Own Place,

Forres.