February 1989

Discovering Dundee's 'Quay' to the Future

Dundee's long-awaited £45,000,000 Waterfront Development was launched yesterday with champagne and the promise of 1000 permanent jobs.

The official launch was performed by Scottish Industry Minister Ian Lang, who broke a bottle of champagne on the anchor of the Discovery.

The development is predicted to provide 1000 permanent jobs for Dundee as well as a further 500 in the building and offsite supplies industries during the construction phase which is scheduled to last 26 months.

The development - to be named Discovery Quay - will consist of an entertainment complex, incorporating a heritage centre, multi-screen cinema, night club, food court and speciality shops, a Tesco superstore and retail warehouses.

Yesterday's proceedings began in the Dundee Project Offices in the Nethergate Centre. All three partners in the project, the S.D.A., Tayside Regional Council and Dundee District Council were represented.

Addressing the invited guests, Mr Lang, said he was delighted to accept the invitation to launch "this dramatic, multi-million pound development.

"The Waterfront Scheme is an essential element of Dundee Project's Strategy for the regeneration of the city's economy and everyone involved, private and public sectors alike, is to be warmly congratulated for promoting such an ambitious and imaginative project.

"The germination period may have been longer that anyone expected but I am sure their labours will bear abundant fruit when the development is complete in 1991."

This was a reference to the fact that the project is running about two years behind schedule and should have almost been complete by now.

Mr Lang said, "Dundee has many outstanding features and a great deal is being done, and indeed has been done, by the Dundee Project and its private sector partners to further enhance the city's image.

"This Waterfront development, based as it is in such a striking location beside the city's best natural asset is bound to be a very positive factor in that ongoing process.

"In my recent visits to Dundee I have been aware of a new spirit of optimism within the business community.

Through the Dundee Project the city has shown what can be achieved when the public and private sectors co-operate in the interests of the community as a whole.

"The Waterfront Project's overall significance to Dundee would be difficult to overstate. It will have a major environmental impact and in conjunction with the Stakis Hotel, the refurbished district council leisure centre and the refurbished Craig Harbour containing the R.R.S. Discovery, will transform the city's face to the south for visitors approaching over the two bridges".

From the Nethergate Centre the party walked to the Waterfront site, where Discovery's anchor was suspended on a mobile crane beside Craig Harbour, which is being prepared as a permanent dock as Discovery Quay.

Tayside Regional Convener Mr Ron Tosh unveiled a large hoarding proclaiming the new name of the development as Discovery Quay.

Then Mr Lang ceremonially broke a bottle of champagne over the anchor. This operation was trickier than anticipated, with the huge anchor swinging from side to side in high wind.

Following that, Mr William Low, chairman of the Dundee Heritage, raised a flag to signal he start of work on the heritage centre.

Gale Scuppers Ali Baba Plans

Gale force winds scuppered plans to tow the Ali Baba drilling rig into the Tay for a multi-million-pound conversion yesterday caused havoc elsewhere in the city.

Gust of over 60 mph ripped slates off roofs, tore plastic guttering and set off alarms all over Dundee.

An elderly cyclist was taken to the Royal Infirmary suffering from head injuries after he was blown into the path of a trick.

And at Liff Church a 60-foot cypress tree, long a feature of a cemetery was felled by the gate. It came to rest on a row of granite gravestones, some of which were toppled.

The weather meant that the Ali Baba rig, which should have been brought into the Davy GVA yard at Dundee Harbour six days ago, was forced to remain under tow near the Fairway Buoy off the mouth of the river.

A spokesman for Dundee Port Authority said there was no chance of the rig making its nine mile journey unless wind speed dropped considerably - to below 10 knots.

However, the Met Office are again predicting a deterioration in the weather as the Gulf Stream, which has brought the warm winds responsible for the mild weather, shifts southwards.

Last night, there was still no sign of the strong winds easing as they continued to buffet Dundee at speeds approaching 50mph.

Tugs were holding the rig in position and there were no reports of any problems.

Veeder-Root, Ltd.

Kilspindie Road, Dundee, DD2 3QJ,
Maintenance Electrician
(Temporary)
The above vacancy will be for approximately 6 months and calls for a time-served Maintenance Electrician, with sound practical experience in the installation and maintenance of machine tools and power equipment, together with a knowledge of electronics. Starting rate for the basic 39 hours week is £149.16 rising to £165.96.

Applicant should contact the Personnel Officer at the above address.

The Samaritans

Dundee Samaritans Need Your Help
If you are a good listener and would like to help others with a problem, then you could be just the person we need. If you would like to know more about becoming a Samaritan and the work involved then come along to an
Open Meeting
On
Wednesday, February 8,
7.30 p.m.
Rooms 9, 10 and 11, Tower block, Dundee University.
Telephone Dundee 26666

Valentine's Day

Wellgate Cards
In the Wellgate Centre
Varied selection of large and small
Cards, Boxed Cards
Musical Cards and Gifts
For this occasion.

Ristorante Casa Romana

The Outstanding Licensed Italian Restaurant
Carlton House Hotel
Broughty Ferry Road
Existing well-known staff in attendance.
Open every evening 6 pm - midnight.
Enjoy a Valentine Candlelit Dinner
You will find the atmosphere delightful and the food exquisite.
For reservations phone 43456 and add a touch of la dolce vita.

Dundee Fiddler writes a Lament for Lockerbie

The tragic events of the Lockerbie air crash at Christmas touched the hearts of nations all over the world, with the work of the emergency services drawing special praise.

Now Dundee fiddler and composer Angus Fitchet has added his tribute in the way he knows best, with a haunting tune entitled "Lament for Lockerbie".

The 79 year-old musician is know all over the world for his fiddling and for his compositions in a life-long career in Scottish music.

From his home in Craigmore Street, he explained what had prompted the latest tune "I was contacted by Jimmy Blue, from Forgandenny, the Chairman of the National Association of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs.

"He asked if I could write a tune from Lockerbie and I agreed right away".

"I sent Jimmy the tune and he has added the harmony and so not it's a joint effort for Lockerbie"

The Dumfriesshire town holds some special memories for Angus.

"When I first played with Jimmy Shand in the late 40s, Lockerbie was on out list for touring" he said.

"They had the most beautiful dances out there and were the most lovely dancers. We got to know a lot of folk there"

"I went there too with my own band. I was last there about three years ago. We don't know if any of out friends were killed".

His tune is written with everyone involved in the disaster in mind, especially all the workers in the emergency services.

It has received an airing locally at the Fiddle Club and may have a wider audience next month when Margaret Quirrie of the Craigowl Dance Band plays the tune on a programme of Scottish dance music on B.B.C. radio.

Wallace Tipped For Dens Post

By Steve Bruce
Dundee United coach Gordon Wallace has emerged as the hot tip for Dundee's vacant managerial post. It is believed that, following lengthy deliberations, the Dark Blues board have targeted 45 year-old Wallace as the man they want to replace Dave Smith, who quit as team boss last month.

Dens Park chairman Angus Cook last night denied that a final decision concerning an appointment had been made, but I understand that he and his fellow directors have had their sights set on luring Wallace from Tannadice.

A former Dens Park player, Wallace has been on the Tangerines' backroom stag sing 1983.

Dark Blues' Mystery Target is Revealed

By Steve Bruce
They Mystery English mid-fielder player whom Dundee are attempting to sign is Hartlepool United's John Tinkler.

Dens Park caretaker manager John Blackley last night declined to comment, but I understand that 20-year-old Tinker is the Dark Blues' transfer target.

Hartlepool manager Bobby Moncur admitted, "We have received a bid from a Scottish club for one of our players"

Dundee made a written offer, believed to be about 375,000, for Twinkler last week but are still waiting a final decision from the English Fourth Division outfit.

The delay has been caused by Victoria Ground board member Roland Boyes, and M.P. who is in the Falkland Islands on Parliamentary business.

Hartlepool claim they must await his return before considering the bid.

Mr Boyes is due back in Britain this weekend and Dundee expect to hear from Hartlepool at the beginning of the week.