February 1988

Floodlit Law Next Winter

Dundee Law is to be floodlit from next winter to provide a spectacular city skyline feature. Floodlighting will continue for at least five years.

When the district planning and development committee approved the arrangements last night, Mr Charles Bowman, convener, said he thought it would be an excellent thing which would pick out well one of the city’s prominent landmarks.

It was reported by Mr Alistair Barrie, Chief Planning officer, that as part of the European Year of the Environment, the North of Scotland Hydro Electric Board invited nominations from public and private bodies throughout Scotland who could identify buildings or other features which would be suited to being illuminated to give enjoyment to the local people and enhance the tourism potential of an area.

The Dundee Project submitted possible schemes and the Hydro Board has now advised its partners that the scheme submitted for Dundee Law has been successful.

The Law was a significant landmark and its illumination during the late autumn and winter evenings, from approximately 6 p.m. to 11.30 p.m., October to April, would do much to enhance the Dundee’s spectacular skyline.

The total capital cost of the scheme was estimated at around £15,000.

On completion of the project, the Hydro Board would pay a capital grant of £5000. The Scottish Development Agency had agreed to fund the balance of the cost of installation of about £10,000.

The board would pay for all power used for floodlighting for one year from the start of use. It was estimated that the annual cost would be about £330.

The district council would be responsible for maintenance of the installation for a minimum of five years and annual running costs. These together were estimated to be about £545 a year.

The committee agreed unanimously to support the project.

Parents Shocked by Propaganda Leaflets

Dundee parents were outraged yesterday when their children returned for school with propaganda leaflets urging them to come out on strike.

The leaflets, published by the Youth Trade Union Rights Campaign, call for a half-day strike in Dundee schools and colleges later this week and invite school pupils to skip school in favour of a rally at the Marryat Hall.

The rally has been organised as a protest against Government plans to force unemployed school leavers on to Y.T.S. schemes.

In a quote from the last Conservative manifesto, the group’s pamphlet warns that people under 18 who refuse a Y.T.S. placing will have social security payments stopped.

“We are not prepared to stand back and have the Tories force us onto Y.T.S,” says the pamphlet. In 1985, we fought the Tories and won, in 1988 we are out to do it again”.

But only last year, Labour organisations and unemployment welfare groups refused to lend credence to the Youth Trade Union Rights Campaign.

When the group tried to organise a similar day of protest last November, the Scottish T.U.C. stated firmly that they did not recognise the group and told unions not to handle correspondence or respond to appeals from them.

Yesterday parents reported a group of three men handing out leaflets outside Rockwell High School, Dundee.

The handbills were headed “Y.T.U.R.C. Half Day Strike” and listed three aims behind the strike.

The Y.T.U.R.C. says it is against compulsory Y.T.S. for £55 a week pay for those on Y.T.S. schemes and in favour of a £35 a week grant for students.

“All out. Make sure you are there” says the handbill.

But worried parents have already pointed out that this rally would mean their children missing out on valuable time at school.

“I am very concerned that this kind of thing is being encouraged,” said one mother.

“I don’t know who these people are but I see from their forms that they are touting for membership, I don’t like the sound of this group and don’t want my children involved”.

Mr Philip Stott, whose address is given on the leaflets, was not available for comment last night.

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Liz v. Decker Slaney and Budd in Bali?

Dundee’s Liz McColgan faces the mouth-watering prospect of a first ever clash with Mary Decker Slaney in a race which could also feature the American’s arch-rival Zola Budd.

Slaney and Budd are considering initiations to run in the Bali 10 km road race which McColgan won last year in a record time, beating the likes of Ingrid Kristiansen and Rosa Mota.

Sponsor Bob Hassan, the timber tycoon, said in Jakarta that more than a million dollars in prize money and bonuses would be on offer.

Liz McColgan’s father, Mr Martin Lynch, said last night that his daughter would relish the prospect of running against Mary Decker Slaney.

“It has always been one of the ambitions to take on the top American and, of course, she will be determined to beat her” he said.

The Dundee star is currently in Florida with her husband Peter, finishing off her preparations for her first big race of the year on Saturday.

McColgan and the men’s record holder, American Marc Nenow, are confirmed for Bali which the sponsor is calling the world’s richest road race.

John Treacy, of Irelend, twice world cross-country champion and the marathon silver medallist at the 1984 Olympics, is also a certain starter.

The Bali race is scheduled to take place on April3, a week after the world cross-country championships in New Zealand.

Meanwhile Britain will ignore reports that South African-born Budd, a member of the British team, will not be welcome at the championships.

Tony Ward, spokesman for the A.A.A., said yesterday, “The position is quite clear. We have selected Zola Buddto run for Britain and there the matter rests.”

“When a country accepts an international event, there is always a letter from the Government holding the event that everyone has free access in and out of the country.

“As far as we are concerned, Zola Budd is a British athlete and if the New Zealand authorities refuse to let her in, that will be a matter for the International Amateur Athletic Federation.”

Ward fended of questions about whether the British team might be withdrawn if Budd is not allowed to compete.

Peter Tapsell, New Zealand’s Minister for Sport, said yesterday that just because Budd is eligible to run at the event, it didn’t mean his Government considered it acceptable for her to take part.

“We don’t want her here and believe the rules should be changed to exclude all holders of passports of convenience. I shall make that quite clear when the championships are held.

University Library Completed Early

Dundee University’s new £3 million pound library is set to be completed early next month – some two to three months ahead of schedule.

The four-storey building in the university campus was originally due to be completed around the end of May.

The quick progress by the main contractors W.H. Brown Construction (Dundee) Ltd, has been possible owing to favourable weather conditions and a novel building aid.

Workmen were able to defy the snow and ice which froze out their colleagues last winter thanks to a giant portable tent.

Working with the assurance of special heaters under its tarpaulin covering, the concrete was able to set in the artificially heated and protected environment.

Yesterday Mr William Brown, managing director, said the benefits of the tent and the milder weather which has followed since last winter has meant that work on the contract has been able to take place without interruption.

The library will replace the existing one inherited from Queen’s College.

Building work started in 1986 and the foundation stone was laid in October of that year by the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother was the first Chancellor of Dundee University for 1967 to 1977, and the foundation stone cane from her family’s Glamis estate.

The building itself is costing £2.5 million and furnishings and equipment will cost another £500,000. The expenditure is being met by the University Grants Committee.

After the handover of the new library to the university next month, work will begin on its furnishing and fitting out and it should be ready for use by the start of October session.

Slim and Trim

With
Jean Kindlen
at
Castle Green Leisure Centre
Tuesday 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Tuesday 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Tuesday 7 p.m. to 1.45 p.m.
Thursday 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Stephen’s Work to on Show

An exhibition of architectural drawings by autistic boy Stephen Wiltshire, is to be staged in Dundee next week.

Stephen (13), who is said to have “perfect perspective”, recently shot into the national spotlight as a result of a programme in the B.B.C.’s “QED” series.

Stephen was featured producing from memory, drawings of the Royal Albert Hall and St Pancreas Station.

The Dundee exhibition is being held in the McManus Gallery from February 8 to 19, and admission is free.

The publishing firm J.M. Dent & Sons have published a book on Stephen’s drawings, with an introduction by Sir Hugh Casson.

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Asbestos Checks on Tayside Buildings

Tayside Regional Council has checked for asbestos in every one of its buildings. Over the past three years, approximately £219,000 has been spent on the survey and, where necessary, the removal of asbestos.

“I think these check and the regional council’s continuing action programme are reassuring” said Mr Mick Barr, convener of the regional council’s property committee.

In his report to the property committee, the council’s director of property services points out that a report issued by the Health and Safety Commission has stressed that asbestos in buildings was not a hazard.

It has been reliably estimated that natural exposure for 40 hours a week over 20 years would produce a risk equivalent to one death each year in Britain.

The report pointed out that inhaling other people’s cigarette smoke was 90 times more likely to kill.

“The regional council is not complacent, however, since 1984; no asbestos or asbestos-based materials have been used in council buildings.”

“We have taken action to remove all possible hazards, but there is no evidence that asbestos materials provided it is sealed and in good condition, needs removal.”

“The director is recommending that his department’s survey section be strengthened so that further checks can be made on areas, such as roof spaces and foundations, normally inaccessible to people using buildings”

In his report the director explains that so far, detailed surveys had not been carried out in these areas unless work was to be carried out in them. At present, if asbestos is found in buildings and is in good condition, it is let it situ and monitored.

When asbestos materials were found to be damages, or liable to be damaged, specialist licensed contractors were employed to remove it, working under strict controls and supervision.

Health and Safety Executive advice available nationally was that there are no problems with materials containing asbestos if the material was in good condition and sealed.

It was better left undisturbed. When asbestos is removed in accordance with regulations there is no risk to people using a building as the area of operation is completely sealed off.

Success of New Textiles Means 20 Jobs at Bonar Carelle Plant

More jobs to be created at one of Dundee’s newest textiles operations as a result of a further £1.5 million investment in the high technology plant.

Another 20-plus employees are to be added to the present payroll of around 50 at Bonar Carelle plant at Wester Gourdie as a new production line is installed to meet what has proved to be a very strong demand for the company’s non-woven fabric products.

The plant first began production just a year ago, and although a second line was contained in the strategy for development of the purpose built facility, the installation is being carried out somewhat earlier that was originally scheduled.

Bonar Carelle is a subsidiary of the Dundee-based Low & Bonar group, and yesterday group chief executive Mr Roland Jarvis expressed himself more that satisfied with the performances of the young company.

“We’re very pleased,” he commented. “It’s gone every bit as well as we could possibly have hoped”.

The initial development of the Bonar Carelle facility - on a five-acre, Tayside Enterprise Zone at Wester Gourdie - represented a £7 million investment by Low & Bonar.

The development, utilising technology developed by Low & Bonar’s U.S. subsidiary Bonar Fabrics, was first announced less than two years ago.

The 50,000 square-footed plant produces high-performance, non-woven fabrics with a variety of properties and characteristics.

The fabrics have uses in wide-ranging markets such as personal hygiene, medical, garment manufacture and even auto-motive products.

Sophisticated machinery required for the second production line has already started to arrive at the plant from manufacturers in America, Germany and Britain.

The bulk of the new equipment is scheduled to arrive next month, with the production from the new line commencing in June.

The recruitment of the additional personnel required will begin in May.