Sir, – What can be more reprehensible than the exploitation of children to support adult beliefs?
But there, before our eyes in Kerry Hudson’s column (October 18), was a photo of a child who appeared to be of early primary school years holding a placard with the words SAVE OUR PLANET. As a footnote, the columnist added: “Teaching children, like this little girl, political engagement is more important now than it has ever been.”
I couldn’t disagree more strongly. This poor child would have been far happier playing with her friends than being used to show support for an objective she probably knows little about.
The problem with activists is they assume their progeny will have inherited their beliefs. Let children be children and indulge in childhood activities – childhood is a precious period in development, getting ever shorter with each passing decade. How often do we hear the comment “she’s nine, going on 14”?
I dread the day when childhood is regarded as obsolete with babies’ next stage in development being “junior adult”. Once children reach an age of maturity, with a mind of their own, then let them choose if they wish to engage in political issues.
I have nothing against adults protesting about any subject under the sun but let their offspring choose their own path.
Their beliefs may lie in a totally different direction – they are not clones of their parents.
Ivan W. Reid, Kirkburn, Laurencekirk
Volunteers could teach the city council lessons on civic improvement
Sir, – Strolling through Victoria Park in Aberdeen recently I was uplifted by the wonderful fountain restored by volunteers. Perhaps the council should take some lessons from this on how to restore the city, and stop messing around.
You recently reported that business is worried the council’s plans to invigorate the city will take too long and be too late.
Well, to get things going, why not make the area cleared down by The Green usable for an open street market? The city can see how and if it is used and judge the wisdom of their ideas before spending millions on redeveloping the site.
The council’s management of the redevelopment of the old Richards carpet factory is a good example of their performance. They allowed the developer to tear down the last iron-framed mill – to what end? Nothing.
Christopher Durden, Carlton Place, Aberdeen.
Cut military aid to ease energy prices
Sir, – Our new chancellor’s announcement that the energy price guarantee will end in April, 18 months early, because it will cost the taxpayer too much has got me thinking. Presumably, the billions in UK military aid to prolong the terrible situation in Ukraine will be stopped too?
Geoff Moore, Braeface Park, Alness
Roadworks are a matter of priority
Sir, – I note from The P&J of October 18 that Abbeyton Bridge is to be rebuilt, with construction by 2023 or early 2024, primarily to satisfy the wishes of local businesses and the convenience of commuters from villages west of the A90.
As an ex-resident of Auchenblae, I am delighted for the aforementioned who have had the inconvenience of having to use the perfectly safe junction at Fordoun for the last four years. However, I still fear for the thousands of daily users of the South Laurencekirk A90-A937 junction who will have to continue using a crossing that has killed four, and injured many others, just because Aberdeenshire Council sat on its hands and in fact actually participated in the entire planning and design of its replacement, before objecting.
Despite their protestations that it was not the case, I’m afraid it looks very much as though they were trying to coerce the government into paying for the replacement Oatyhill Bridge – which they have known for years was in virtually the same state as Abbeyton.
Whenever the A937 junction raises its head, we are fed platitudes and sweet words by our local councillors, MSPs and MPs about how they are in negotiations with the government, local businesses and property owners, and probably Uncle Tom Cobley, but there seems to be no sense of either urgency or progress, and meantime lives are risked daily as tractors with loaded trailers and large HGVs are forced to negotiate a busy crossing that is utterly unfit for purpose.
Charles Gordon, Kirkburn, Laurencekirk.
Emergency call for new SOS campaign
Sir, – During the miners’ strike of 1984-5, and the three-day working week, there was a government advertising campaign to save electricity called SOS – Switch Off Something.
As we have been asked to economise once again, perhaps that campaign could be revived to keep essential heat and light on for the elderly and disabled?
Malcolm Parkin, Kinnesswood, Kinross.
Government turns up heating for OAP
Sir, – As an 80-year-old pensioner, I am not complaining as some are. This month the government gave me £400 towards my energy bills, in November they will give me a £300 winter fuel allowance and £300 cost of living allowance.
That £1,000 will certainly see me through the winter and beyond and, with the news pensions rising at the 10% inflation rate will add another £80 monthly. Finally, the government are starting to look after the elderly who have worked all their lives to keep the economy of this country on track.
Don McKay, Provost Hogg Court, Torry, Aberdeen.
Relocate all library services at pavilion
Sir, – I suggest that the pavilion nearest Union Street is used as a new location for Aberdeen Central Library and that all the lending functions – including children’s services – be transferred to this new building, giving it purpose and meeting one of the aims of all public libraries which is making books and other materials available to users.
This new location would attract more users to the library service, a modern building would rejuvenate the service after the Covid restrictions and encourage more people back into the traditional centre of town.
The space in Rosemount Viaduct could be used to house a much-needed regional museum, with the information centre remaining where it is.
Malcolm Smith, Aberdeen.
Greens blow smoke over coal mining
Sir, – Lorna Slater, the Greens co-leader, has announced that there is no coal mining in Scotland and that the Scottish Government will “continue” to “not support” new mining.
Another new announcement of old news from this government. Coal has not been mined in Scotland for a number of years.
The last deep mine closed in 2002 and the final open-cast mine ceased operation in 2020.
“The era of coal is finished,” she said.
That’s as may be in Scotland but it is far from finished in China, India, the US, Russia and, of course, our great friends in Europe.
If the Greens and the SNP would focus on real issues, stop fussing about independence and sniping at the admittedly chaotic government of the UK and concentrate on fixing what they can fix, Scotland would be a better place.
M.J.Salter, Kingdom, Glassel, Banchory.
Quitter Liz Truss opted not to fight
Sir, – The press reported Liz Truss as saying “I’m a fighter, not a quitter”.
I’m hard of hearing, but are you sure she didn’t say “I’m a fighter? No – a quitter”.
As you know, punctuation is so important.
Joe Moir, Duthie Court, Aberdeen.
Tories put party before country
Sir, – It’s unbelievable that Tory MPs would consider Boris Johnson as PM. Internationally, Great Britain has become utterly ludicrous – the Great should come out of GB and Scotland out of the UK.
The Scottish Government’s recent paper on independence is in stark contrast to the chaos emanating from Westminster. The Holyrood paper sets out carefully and in detail the economic, currency and financial case for independence.
As Westminster implodes, an energy-rich Scotland, with its many advantages, must leave this dysfunctional Union if it is to become a fairer, greener, happier and successful country – a question of trusting Holyrood or Westminster. The people who live and work in and love Scotland should have the courage and confidence to believe and embrace the simple truth that our future has to be in Scotland’s hands.
Grant Frazer, Cruachan, Newtonmore.
Labour alternative for independence
Sir, – I am very disappointed at Mr Dingwall-Fordyce’s reply to my letter (October 21). He has failed to address any of the points I made. He is prepared to condemn Nicola Sturgeon for saying she “detests Tories” but is not prepared to condemn Liz Truss for insulting the Scottish people by saying our first minister “should be ignored” and is “an attention seeker”.
He does not explain why those of us who do not wish to be governed by this inept Conservative government are “misguided”. The fact that some Tory supporters seem prepared to back the return of that lying, corrupt and totally incompetent buffoon, Boris Johnson, sums up the Tories.
He wants me to put forward positive alternatives so here they are. I have been a Labour supporter all my life but am forced to vote SNP because, at present, the Scottish Labour Party has yet to see the light and embrace independence. What could be more positive than living in an independent Scotland governed by Labour?
W. A. Ross, Broomhill Avenue, Aberdeen.
Why England needs the Union
Sir, – Allan Sutherland, our resident bastion of Unionism, ends his last letter with the words “Poor wee Scotland” (October 21). We can’t be that poor, given Westminster is, doggedly, determined to hold on to us. Without Scotland, England would be in even direr straits than those they have placed themselves in recently.
Ron Campbell, Richmond Walk, Aberdeen.
City buses just not the ticket
Sir, – I have expressed my reservations many times with regards to Rebecca Buchan’s leaders on her views on city centre regeneration, but her contribution on October 19 was spot on.
She was on the nose with her observations over the lack of any functioning public transport system within the city.
Her quoting the recent withdrawal of the Fittie service said it all. From once probably having one of the best bus services in the UK, we are now left with one of the worst – making a total mockery of the claim ‘we bought it for you’.
Go to any UK or European city and you will find the public transport system is the bedrock of their success.
Unfortunately, we have a broken system – unless you use a particular service, no one can make any sense of the rest of it.
In my opinion, the service is now run on a financial basis and residents are at the bottom of the priority list.
James Noel, Aberdeen.
Over the top
Sir, – So the Lossiemouth-based RAF Poseidon aircraft came to the rescue of a stricken sailor for the second time in a couple of months.
These are the airliner-based multi-role maritime surveillance aircraft, purchased at a cost of some £250 million each, equipped with state-of-the-art submarine search and tracking radar and a sophisticated weapons system for engaging sub-surface targets.
Every life is precious, but it’s surely a case of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?
Ian Craig, Aberdeen.
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