Letters

Spurtle welcomes correspondence from named readers. Anonymous or pseudonymous correspondence will not be published. The Editor reserves the right to cut or adjust letters for reasons of space or clarity.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 December 2010

Dear Sir/Madam,
 
SNOW REAL
 
The almost complete stoppage of national life occasioned by the
current spattering of snow is scarcely believable. When I was a child,
our schools were kept open by every janitor, able bodied teacher and
even the school dinner ladies being set to the task of digging out the
playground with old fashioned shovels. The same "all hands to the
deck" attitude applied to airports where the General Manager was to be
seen setting an example with his spade alongside ground and cabin
staff as well as pilots and navigators as they fought to keep runways
clear.
 
Not only are we now far too reliant on often inadequate and unreliable
mechanical means of snow removal, but the EU mandated adoption of the
SI system of units has brought a touch of fatalism to how Britons
regard low temperatures. O degrees Celsius is now seen as a sign that
civilisation as we know it must be temporarily suspended whereas 32
degrees Fahrenheit never had that effect!
 
John Eoin Douglas [Spey Terrace]


6 December 2010

Dear Spurtle,
 
I don't know if you've heard about the Council's proposals for the 
Assembly Rooms – to effectively privatise the ground floor and turn it 
into boutique shops and a 'fine dining' restaurant? I got news of this 
via Gerda Stevenson, the prominent Scottish actor, director and 
playwright (see below).
 
I know that it's not quite the geographical area you cover, but it does 
seem to me emblematic of the Council's habit of turning public, cultural 
free space into exclusive commercial development. Broughton residents (I 
am of their number) may like to add their weight to the list of those 
who object to this.
 
with all good wishes,
 
Dr Sara Lodge
 
Dear Friends
                   I wonder if you are aware of Edinburgh City Council's plans to turn the 
wonderful, historic Assembly Rooms into a shopping centre? An appalling 
decision, in my view. The Assembly rooms should not only  continue to 
operate as the superb fringe theatre venue it is during the Edinburgh 
Festival (I have seen so many ground-breaking theatre productions there 
over the last three decades and more), it would make a terrific centre 
for the Arts all year round in our capital city.
     Do we really need another shopping centre? And during this time of 
recession? It's well documented that in hard times the Arts do well – 
people need hope, which is what the Arts give to us. And the Arts 
provide tremendous stimulus to our economy. The Assembly  Rooms venue 
offers a unique possibility for the city of Edinburgh – its 
distinctively beautiful and practical lay-out of accommodation all under 
one roof offers an amazing opportunity for a visionary enterprise. We 
could have an Arts hub that connects with Education – the two could be 
working hand-in-hand in the same building. There could be 
artists-in-residence, a resident theatre company/ies, resident chamber 
orchestra, etc. – the possibilities are legion. But instead, our capital 
city's councillors, in their infinite wisdom, are going to hand it over 
to ubiquitous, utterly superfluous commercialism. It would do no harm to 
lobby MSPs and the Minister for Culture, Fiona Hyslop (email: Fiona.Hyslop.msp@scottish.parliament.uk) and the Minister for 
Education, Michael Russell (e-mail: Michael.Russell.msp@scottish.parliament.uk).
I attended a major European theatre meeting in Glasgow last month 
(IETM), and it was interesting to hear about how many theatre, dance and 
arts organisations other European countries have per head of population 
- we are not well-endowed in Scotland, nor indeed in Britain, when one 
makes such comparisons.
        All best
          Gerda

By chance I found your thrilling request for information regarding Peggy Desmond [Issue 185]. Having spent my formative years in Broughton Place, I have vivid memories of the many families and characters there who were, with great spirit, picking up the pieces after the Second World War. Many lived in appalling slum conditions and were very much down on their luck, but most were boisterous and hopeful, some spent and resigned. All were street-wise. In the late 1950s many scattered to all parts of the globe, myself included.

Staufen, Germany

----------------------------------------

(19 July 2010)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Relative to your comments on big bags, although seagulls undoubtedly cause a great deal of inconvenience, I do not think that containers are the answer in the New Town. Apart from the aesthetics, many people here are elderely and could neither carry bags for any distance or reach high enough to place them in the containers.

I understand from Councillor Whyte that an experiment is being carried out on the south coast with bags made, I believe, of jute, which are thought to deter the gulls. Perhaps this could be considered as an alternative, as they are the culprits in this area.

Yours faithfully,

J. Starr (Dr)

----------------------------------------

(1 July 2010)

Dear Spurtle

Re: Issue 184, 'Spurtle seeks mystery makar'

Maybe it was a giant Mars Bar that had escaped the opportunity to be deep-fat fried and wanted the world to know that in spite of its hard exterior, there is more to it than meets the eye.

Adam Wilkinson
Director, Edinburgh World Heritage

-------------------------------------

(10 June 2010)

Dear Editor

I am saddened by the imminent demise of the video store on Broughton Street that has 
served the dedicated film lovers community for many years [Breaking News, 10.6.10]. Blockbuster-type shops and other large chains can give us the big sellers. But only 
this shop could offer Godard, Truffaut, Renoir, Bunuel, and a vast 
back-catalogue of everything from Hitchcock to more obscure world 
cinema.

Chris Docker, Hart Street

-------------------------------------

Dear Spurtle

Re your report: 'Crime wave just an illusion' [Issue 183].

Can you really do this? I mean – actually checking on the facts, and writing about them, rather than just generating hysteria with no factual basis? ... Not done, old boy – not by the British press!

I am of course joking.

Peter Verity, Dundonald Street

--------------------------------------


(2 May 2010)

Dear Editor

If nothing else, the news about Tesco's not contributing to trams [Issue 182] disproves the idea that Edinburgh Council stood to gain from approving the move to Picardy Place [Issue 181]. 

Margaret Berry, Bonnington Road

----------------------------------------


(21 April 2010)

Dear Spurtle

Disease of the heart and circulation is Scotland’s biggest killer – around 19,000 men women and children are dying every year and another 600,000 live with it every day.

British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland is the nation’s heart charity and our mission is to play a leading role in the fight against heart and circulatory disease, so that it is no longer a major cause of disability and premature death.

But we cannot do this without the help of your readers.
If you have any spare time to give us each month, then please get in touch and help us save the life you love.

BHF Scotland are looking for volunteers who will help with various tasks, ranging from placing collecting cans in your local shops or clubs to organising fundraising events that get your local community involved.  You can easily take a hobby or interest and turn it into a fundraising event with support from your local Fundraising Volunteer Manager.

BHF Scotland spends millions of pounds saving lives with our pioneering research, our nurses who are caring for those living with heart disease, our life saving equipment that can be found up and down the country, and of course, our prevention and care resources that are available to everyone in many languages.
If you think that you can help us save lives in Edinburgh please get in touch with me today.  You can call me on 0131 561 3364 (Mob. 07920 088318) or email me at scottf@bhf.org.uk

Ffyonna Scott
Fundraising Volunteer Manager, BHF Scotland, Ocean Point One, 94 Ocean Drive, Edinburgh EH6 6JH
Web:  www.bhf.org.uk

----------------------------------------


(24 February 2010)

Spurtle People

Was February's hungry bear modelled on Malcolm Chisholm's photo? [Issue 179, p. 4]

Helen Lizaar, Leith Walk

[No. But interesting thought.]
 
--------------------------------------


(19 February 2010)

Dear Editor


I write to highlight the issue of the planned closure of [Blenheim Place to right-turns from London Rd].

 

There is overwhelming support on the Terraces among residents, business, the Church and community for this junction to remain open. This right-turn allows us to stay connected to the local community of Leith Walk & Broughton which we feel part of and belong to. 

 

February 22nd is an important day for citizens of Edinburgh - the start
of the 28 day public window for objections to any of the planned
proposals to accomodate trams in the city. It is particularly important
for those involved in the Terraces on Calton Hill.


Adequate access for us, and for all those who enjoy these spectacular Playfair designed streets, requires that many objections are raised.

 

Hopefully Spurtle will, in turn, highlight this public consultation period and encourage readers to write or email and object to the planned closure of this junction, and 'Keep Blenheim Place Open'.

 

Regards

 

Carol Nimmo


Royal, Regent & Carlton Terraces Steering group

aka 'Keep Blenheim Place Open'

[Regarding Carol Nimmo's letter above, we refer readers to 'Breaking news' (19.2.10).] 


(28 January 2010)

----------------------------------------

Dear Editor
 
It’s really easy for your readers and advertisers to support National Heart Month in February – by selling our red heart pin badges.

During February, British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland is asking people to be a part of Red For Heart, our fundraising campaign, that will raise vital money to keep hearts beating in Scotland.

I’m asking local businesses to take a box of pin badges and put it on display in their premises. For just £1, members of the public can show their support for the boys, girls, men and women throughout Scotland who have heart disease. Buying a pin badge can also benefit their own heart health, as the packaging on each badge contains information about our new heart health code, the BEAT, and how to get a free, online lifestyle check.

To be a part of Red For Heart call me on 0131 561 3364, email scottf@bhf.org.uk or visit bhf.org.uk/red

Ffyonna Scott
Fundraising Volunteer Manager

----------------------------------------


(10 December 2009)
Dear Spurtle

I am writing with reference to the responses by Mrs Campbell [3 Oct.] and Mrs 
Lauder [13 Sept.] to my proposal for the future use of the old Royal Edinburgh 
High School premises.

Truly, I have not visited the premises in the near past, and I take as 
good news the building is not defunct (Mrs Campbell) as I thought. 
Moreover it seems that the current use by people and organizations 
dealing with Literacy and Numeracy, other classes, and social work is 
close to what I proposed, which brings me joy. On the other hand I 
am sorry to read that this may cease.

My point relates to use by civil society and local entities for the benefit 
of the people of Edinburgh and enhancement of participatory democracy, 
instead of new ʽdevelopmentʼ. I understand that neither respondent 
rejects this point.

Dr Costas Dikeos

--------------------------------------


(24 October 2009)

Dear Spurtle

In his article ['Stones that speak' in Extras], James Simpson refers to 'Hopetoun Crescent', where – in this historic context – he should be using its original name of 'Hope Crescent'.

This demonstrates clearly its connection with John Hope etc.

The change to Hopetoun Crescent came about in the 1960s when there was a rationalisation of various Edinburgh/Leith/Portobello street names: e.g. Pitt Street, Edinburgh became Dundas Street, leaving Pitt Street, Leith because of Leith's associations with the Pitt family.

In the case of Hope Crescent, because of Hope Street elsewhere and the close physical proximity of Hopetoun Street, the crescent was changed to Hopetoun.

If the logic had been carried through properly, we might have had East Claremont Crescent, and East Claremont Bank; but what should Brougton Road have been? Its old name was Hay Terrace up to about 1912, leading to confusion with the 1930s Hay Terrace some three miiles away.

Yours sincerely

Alex Dow
Cowdenbeath, Fife


---------------------------------------------

(3 October 2009)

Dear Spurtle
 
Dr Dikeos [Letter of 17 June, and Extras] has obviously not seen the old Royal High recently or he would know it is definitely not defunct. It is a busy workplace for many groups of people. I work for CLAN (City Literacy and Numeracy) and we use many of the classrooms. Other buildings are also used by organisations including Social Work. We have a good canteen, well used by staff and learners. Many of those learners are upset that the buildings are to be sold off – they love their classes. We hope to be offered a suitable replacement in the near future.
 
Yours sincerely

Mrs Campbell, Hopetoun Village

-----------------------------------------------


(1 October 2009)

Dear Spurtle

Regarding wheelie bins [Issue 175, p.2], I think a new CEC survey might find they're acceptable to New Town locals. Most feared would be the possible loss of parking spaces. When bags are hung on railings, they may deter the seagulls, but they also deter the bin men.
 
William Austin, London Street


----------------------------------------------


(13 September 2009)

Dear All

I agree with Dr Costas Dikeos's ideas [Letter, 17 June, and Extras] for the old Royal High School building [see Extras]. Lying empty will only mean it deteriorating and it will cost even more to rectify. So let's get moving, Edinburgh.

Alice Lauder

-----------------------------------------

(3 September 2009)

Dear Spurtle,

Interesting to see page 2 column 1 of Issue 174  (theft of kickplates from Drummond Place & Dundonald Street) because mine went from 23 Scotland Street on the night of 30th/31st July. The police rang about it yesterday, said they had got nowhere, and didn't mention that there had been similar thefts in surrounding streets. Perhaps you should send them a complimentary copy of the Spurtle – it might help them to put 1 & 8 together ...
 
Peter Verity

-----------------------------------------------

(17 June 2009)

Dear Spurtle,

At best my name may ring very old bells to some of you. I, however, 
still feel affection for town and area, as I lived there for about 
5 years.

I hereby send you some alternative views for the use of the old 
premises of the Edinburgh Royal High School on Calton Hill [see Extras]. 

Dr Costas Dikeos 
(Eyre Crescent resident, 1989–94; now Komotini, Greece)