HERE'S a round-up of some of the letters to the Courier in the last week.

Defer decision

The potential closure of The Brunton is a body blow not just to the people of Musselburgh but to people across East Lothian and beyond.

No local authority has, or ever will have, the funds to rebuild a replacement theatre.

However, The Brunton is a trust and, as such, is able to apply for grants from arts-oriented donor trusts and the Lottery Fund. Having formerly been a fundraiser, I can safely say that, given time, it should be possible to raise enough to replace the aero concrete roofs.

Surely the council should give The Brunton a space of time, say 18 months, to raise enough to cover repair costs by deferring the decision to demolish?

Rosemary McDougall

Fala Village

Pathhead

Climate action

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) is now under way in Baku, Azerbaijan.

At the same time, Donald Trump has become President Elect of the USA. He is a longstanding climate change denier and was recorded after his victory saying it’s all a sham.

The Scottish Government have pulled back on their climate change targets since the Greens stepped down from coalition with the SNP.

Meanwhile, East Lothian Council (ELC) are consulting on their climate change strategy. In doing so, one has to question how meaningful the strategy and the related declaration of a nature crisis is in practice.

I have previously noted in these pages where the ELC planning committee have seemingly ignored the requirements of Policy 3 of NPF4 to protect nature, enhance biodiversity and mitigate against climate change by their decision-making.

Further planning decisions have continued my questioning of real commitment by our decision makers. These include recent decisions to approve battery storage schemes at Aikengall (without going to planning committee) and near Biel (despite community opposition), and last week to give support to vast acres of prime agricultural land and habitat being lost for a vast substation in the face of opposition by three community councils and 61 public objections.

There is understanding of the need for green energy but it should not be at the expense of small rural communities and the environmental infrastructure at a time of growing international insecurity and a need to feed a growing population.

In addition, we have seen the unanimous approval by planning committee of a sports project at open space and habitat near Lochend, Dunbar, which was widely opposed by the community. An environmental issues report for the nearby Hallhill North housing development was clear that the area should remain habitat due to the risks to wildlife movements and potential damage to the drainage system of the nearby wet woodland ecology. There had been no feasibility study of the site prior to the application submission.

Therefore, how committed is ELC and its elected members to the climate emergency and nature crisis?

From what I see, the words on paper are meaningless, as actions speak louder than words and the actions of ELC and its leadership demonstrate no real commitment to tackle the issues.

Jacquie Bell (Mrs)

Belhaven

Seeking Smiths

There are two soldiers’ headstones in St Andrews Kirk Ports churchyard, North Berwick.

They are listed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

But the stone belonging to JAMES ALEXANDER EDINGTON SMITH of the Royal Scots is damaged and needs to be repaired.

It seems that the family headstone fell across James Smith’s headstone, causing damage.

His headstone was privately erected because CWGC didn’t start up until after the First World War.

His parents’ home was at The Vale, Forth Street. One of his sisters, Esther, married John Duncan Alexander Robertson in 1924. He died in 1941.

Esther was listed as the proprietrix and occupier of The Vale guest house, Forth Street, until at least 1947.

The CWGC will help to restore the stone but need the family’s or his remaining relatives’ agreement.

Do Courier readers know of any surviving relatives of Esther Robertson or any of her Smith sisters?

North Berwick Veterans Team

northberwickvets@icloud.com

Petition access

As a parent of adult children who benefited from opportunities to learn to play an instrument, I know how much their creativity, concentration and friendships were enhanced.

As one who also had the same opportunity, I urge the producers of the petition to ‘save’ music tuition in schools to place paper versions in local libraries or centres for the many who do not use or dislike using online devices.

I would urge the Courier, councils and other bodies to remember that there is a proportion of society (not solely the elderly) who cannot, prefer not to, cannot afford to or lack the skills to respond via mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

That does not mean they do not hold valid opinions.

Please, please list other means of commenting, donating, supporting or objecting to events and practices which will affect them and their families.

Wilma Shaw

Forth Street

North Berwick

‘Woke’ defeat

Where now for British politics now that far-right populist Donald Trump has defeated soft-left Kamala Harris in the race for the White House?

With non-committal acceptance of Mr Trump’s victory, Holyrood’s Unionist politicians quietly listened to Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney mincing his words instead of being truthful about the politics of America’s new president.

Not so for the Greens’ Patrick Harvie, who called out what he and many of us believed were Mr Trump’s wrongdoings.

Cynics quickly pointed out that it was easy for Mr Harvie to tell it as it is because he has little chance of becoming Scotland’s First Minister.

Mr Harvie’s summary encapsulated a problem in our ‘democratic’ system: elected politicians too easily whipped into line, told what to think, told when to talk and told when to remain silent.

This problem is not just a problem for Holyrood, it is also evident at Westminster.

Many voters accept this corruption and, knowingly or unknowingly, vote against altruistic policies in favour of self-interest disguised as policies for a stronger economy.

Under our present system of free market neo-liberalism, a strong economy can often not work for everyone.

Another problem facing democracies is how the term ‘woke’ has been weaponised and its true meaning twisted.

This has failed British voters, who struggle to know or even try to find out the true meaning of the word.

American voters have fallen harder for this subterfuge. Political analysts are actually opining that Kamala Harris was just too woke to defeat Mr Trump.

Jack Fraser

Clayknowes Drive

Musselburgh

Send your letters to editorial@eastlothiancourier.com