High St heroes
Sir, — After having paid for goods at Baynes in Kirkcaldy High Street, I was about to leave when I heard a commotion outside and there were folk screaming "someone call the police" and "where's the Mercat security".
Apparently an elderly gentleman had just had his wallet stolen and two young men had wrestled the alleged robber to the ground.
The elderly gentleman was visibly shaken and angry. The two heroes kept the alleged robber pinned to the ground until the police arrived and put him in the back of the police van.
I have to say it did show that there were still people out there that do care, will take a stand against these scumbags that think they can get away with anything, as not even 30 minutes before that incident I had been saying that folk don't care about other folk anymore.
They would rather turn a blind eye and walk the other way, so well done to the two young heroes and well done to the shoppers in Kirkcaldy High Street for caring.I just hope the scumbag gets what he deserves and the elderly gentleman is okay. — Yours, etc.,
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Home built
Sir, — It is incredulous that "our" council deem it sensible to support the Chinese economy other than our own by way of importing God knows how many exotic paving slabs.
I may be completely wrong in my "assumption", always dangerous, but how many estimates were submitted? What companies were they from? And were they best value for Fifers' money?
In these difficult economic times we seem to have very well paid Fife Council employees seemingly spending hard earned Fifers' money supporting other economies rather than our own when we should be looking to support our own builders merchants and others in the local area.
Quite frankly this is nonsense that should not be allowed to have happened.
Fife Council you should hang your head in shame. — Yours, etc.,
TERRY KIRK,
Mount Pleasant, Leslie.

Unjust schools
Sir, — Academies Bill — unjust piece of legislation. This legislation offers local schools in England to opt out of council control.
The Academies Bill has unequivocally been rushed through parliament. This means it hasn't been given the full time needed in order for it to be scrutinised by MPs.
The Academies Bill is the most unjust piece of legislation in education policy. This legislation will inevitably create the biggest divide in class stratification and standards will drastically fall in comprehensive schools in England.
I personally think this legislation is a damning insight into Conservative values and fundamentally shows their ideologically driven moves.
This legislation is specifically designed to give "successful" schools greater autonomy, hence why this will create a greater divide in school standards. These privileged schools will grasp more money, teachers and extra funding. Schools under local authority control will be classed as second class and this is a massive social injustice.
This will create the biggest inequality the education system has witnessed. The concept should be that "opportunity" should be available for all, not the privileged or select few.
This legislation will segregate communities, break them apart and inevitably force the creation of a "big society" that is divided/operated by class stratification.
It will furthermore create a two-tier education system, which local authority schools will be devalued.
The creation of a "big society" depends upon the community working together in a collective manner. This bill will wreck communities, segregate students at local authority schools and will favour students at academies and this simply isn't fair.
This bill simply doesn't allow local authority schools and academies to have the same amount of measure in relation to funding, teachers, extra tuition for pupils who have additional learning needs.
This legislation is profoundly misleading and is a complete fabrication of the entire situation. — Yours, etc.,
GORDON BARLOW (aged 17),
Lochgelly.

Fans shame
Sir, — I am writing to highlight the terrible behaviour of some Dunfermline fans on Saturday.
I went to catch a train from Kirkcaldy to Edinburgh at 5.30 p.m. (approximately). I was met with hundreds of drunk and rowdy Dunfermline fans boarding the train along with dozens of British transport police.
I learned from the police that earlier in the day, the Dunfermline fans had smashed several lights on one of the carriages and several had been arrested on the train, and on the way to Stark's Park for several offences.
While travelling towards Edinburgh with hundreds of Dunfermline fans, and dozens of police, the atmosphere was tense, with several confrontations with police officers.
When the train called at Inverkeithing, many 'fans' were escorted from the train into awaiting police vans to spend the night in the cells.
I have great admiration for how the police dealt with this situation, but I also want to say how disgracefully the Dunfermline fans conducted themselves. They were indeed a great discredit to their club.
The fact that once they all left the train, the Scotrail spokesperson announced an apology to the normal travellers for the fans behaviour was sad.
Scotrail and the police conducted themselves admirably, whilst the Dunfermline fans were shocking, something the club will accept no responsibility for. — Yours, etc.,
JIM WALKER,
110 Brodie Court, Glenrothes.

A better use
Sir, — How interesting in last week's FFP to read the story about the company offering free advice on 'Taking Care of Stone Buildings'.
Pity the owner of the old Station Hotel has not availed himself of this service. The proposed demolition of the building is nothing short of architectural vandalism. It fits so well in the surrounding area.
Surely if not the owner then the Council could find a suitable use for the building. For example why can't it be used as an extension to the museum and art gallery.
How many paintings and artefacts can't be shown through lack of space and have we done justice to the famous sons of Kirkcaldy in highlighting their achievements?
After all it has been shown recently how good exhibitions can attract people to Kirkcaldy. — Yours, etc.,
P. BATE,
35 Woodlands Road, Kirkcaldy.

Right reasons
Sir, — It is important to reply to the serious misunderstanding contained in the article by Michael Coyne in the letter section of last week's FFP.
During the deliberation of the planning application for the mosque, religion was not considered as any part of the discussion which correctly influenced the decision to reject the planning application on the grounds that it was an inappropriate building for the proposed site, and I am confident that the same decision would have been taken by the Kirkcaldy planning committee if the application was for a Christian church with spire, bells and a large car parking area.
To correct the error as stated on ownership of the site. The Moslem community do not own the ground for the proposed site as that lies with the authority of Fife Council.
The Coptic Orthodox Church fully complied with all planning matters and blended in with the existing buildings in that area.
Sadly with regard to the mosque planning application, the error of judgement to overturn the correct planning decision by the Kirkcaldy Central planning committee by the MSPs in Edinburgh may have been influenced by similar misunderstandings as that advanced by Michael Coyne. — Yours, etc.,
W. BLOWER,
(name and address supplied)

Care worries
Sir, — Re Fife Local Authority (LA) proposes reducing childcare funding for working parents.
I am a private nursery owner operating in Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes. I have recently received a consultation draft from Fife Council education department outlining proposed changes to the funding for three to five year old nursery children in Fife.
The proposed changes will affect working parents and those in education. These parents will now be liable for additional fees amounting to £25.83 per month or the sum total of £309.96 per annum.
This amount is currently paid by the education department. In my opinion these changes will impact on parental choice for childcare.
I am very concerned that Fife parents are currently unaware of these proposed political changes.
I would like this issue to be highlighted so that parents can comment on this draft document and the future financial consequences it holds for them. — Yours, etc.,
LINDA FRASER,
Director, Sunshine Nursery Ltd, Glenrothes.

Still confused
Sir, — I have just seen my letter headed 'VAT Confusion' in today's Fife Free Press in which I asked why the Fife Free Press published Alex Orr's ridiculous assertion that the VAT bill per week of a person of modest means could be increased by £31 when the VAT rate rises to 20 per cent next January.
I pointed out that it was unlikely to exceed £3.10. You have published this as £3-10.
Alex Orr is not the only person who is confused. I would ask you to make it clear that the increase is unlikely to exceed three pounds ten pence per week. — Yours, etc.,
BRIAN WOOD,
(address supplied)