Letters

Friends and fellow graduates,

Blindness and having a leg off have their lighter side and in days gone by this was evinced at the Birkie Inn on an occasion when the landlord Tam Flett was torn between answering the telephone and protecting his stock at a time when the bar was crowded to capacity. Should he turn his back the likelihood was that someone would jump over the bar and help himself to a bottle of Bell's. At this juncture I took out my glass eye and placed it on the counter. "Answer the phone, Tam" I said: "I'll keep an eye on the bar for you." In my Oxford days, now more than half a century ago, something went wrong with my wooden leg, it had to be sent up to London for repairs, and two of my fellow under-graduates, Bruce Jones and Michael Billington volunteered to take it down to the post office for dispatch. When they placed what was a very large cardboard box on the counter the lassie asked what was in it whereupon Bruce assumed a sinister expression. "As a matter of fact", he said, it's a leg," then added, looking more sinister than ever: "This is the first instalment." Had I been asked to make a speech at graduation it could have been lightened by some such anecdotes as these. Many thanks both for the script of Professor Whatley's speech which took me off very nicely, and the official graduation photographs. They will serve as mementoes of an occasion in my life the equal for uniqueness and drama with my first hill trip after the war, the experience of fatherhood, and what set all this train of events going, my getting blown up in the war. I look forward, in my new relationship with it, to keeping in touch with the University of Dundee and all its doings.

Sydney Scroggie

I was interested to read the article Campus Vision in the June edition of Contact which mooted a "...stylish terraced link heading south to the river". One aspect of the vision which I felt was lacking was the development of the area which lies further south towards the Railway Station, Tesco and Discovery Quay. I imagine I am not the only person who recognises that the route from Airlie Place to the waterfront is not the most direct and involves a hike either via Magdalen Green or the Marketgait. I think it would make far more sense to have a more direct link from Airlie Place towards the waterfront - the main obstacle being the railway. Approximately 4-5 years ago I wrote to Dundee Council regarding the expanse of ground which lies to the south of Airlie Place. I also contacted Tesco and Railtrack who expressed a willingness to co-operate. The only problem seems to be cost - where does anyone find the money for developments like this? I think that a bridge or a walkway leading from the railway station towards Tesco, perhaps a"stylish terraced link" would be of benefit to a lot of people. Maybe we should start to consider this now.

Keith Duncan Research Technician

The Ballater Geddes 2004 project aims to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth in Ballater of Sir Patrick Geddes (1854 - 1932). Initiated in 1999 the project has produced a brochure, exhibition, web site and has had a new street of housing in Ballater named in his honour -Sir Patrick Geddes Way. Further plans include Geddes inspired art, walkways, a Geddes garden in Ballater, a Geddes archive of documents, and an "Outlook Tower" based on modern video technology. A postage stamp for 2004 bearing his image is being investigated. On the web, at www.royal-deeside.org.uk/geddes.htm there is a brief profile of Geddes, project aims, a directory of those interested in Geddes and press releases about the project. A new web trail will provide links to places related to Geddes. Contributors to the project include various local and Scottish organisations, artists, teachers, historians, Geddes' relations, Aberdeenshire Council and Scottish Natural Heritage. If anyone at Dundee University would like to contribute to the project, be listed in the directory or included on our mailing list please contact mindy.grewar@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Tom Potter

Ballater Geddes 2004 Project

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