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News & politics

Dundee connection?

(15 Posts)
em Fri 26-Apr-13 16:03:00

I know that quite a few Grans have a link to my native city and wondered if this campaign might be of interest. All welcome to read of course but contributions to the wall would be very welcome. If this sounds obscure then I should explain that this is part of the push to see Dundee become 2017's City of Culture. I have found some of these contributions very moving and am proud of GD's pic of her little brother.
www.wedundee.com

LullyDully Fri 26-Apr-13 16:17:07

We have bought a house in Dundee to retire to but haven't got there yet because of having had the Gch to take care of, so stuck in S .England . We go up any opportunity and spend most of the summer there. We love Dundee and will help fill the wall. It has a special atmosphere we love.

em Fri 26-Apr-13 16:37:49

Thanks L. Please check out the heart warming comments and add your enthusiam. I'm sure they will make you want to get here asap and well before the V and A starts taking shape. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to discuss your move!

LullyDully Fri 26-Apr-13 16:42:30

I have been reading them all and agree, have added my thoughts about the river and the bridges. V and A is going to be on land now apparently as the building would have caused problems with the river. Can't wait for the museum and also for the awful council building to come down. will pm you soon. LD

Elegran Fri 26-Apr-13 16:52:07

em Post this to the Ed local website, and (if you are on Facebook) to www.facebook.com/pages/Gransnet-Edinburgh/548066708538769?fref=ts

em Fri 26-Apr-13 17:16:41

Elegran - have now done as suggested but hope that by castmg thr net nationally we'll find a few ex-pats too.

Elegran Fri 26-Apr-13 17:57:30

Yes, em - the more places you can mention it the more people you will reach.

annodomini Fri 26-Apr-13 18:00:38

A quarter of my ancestry is Dundonian. My grandfather and great-granfather worked there. My dad went to school there - a school in which I later taught for two years. I still have a sister there and visit at least twice a year. I'll think up a comment for the wall. Good luck to Dundee in its city of culture bid.

Eleanorre Fri 26-Apr-13 22:32:24

I live half an hour away from Dundee and it certainly has improved a lot since I was young . My only complaint is the terrible accent. You see these lovely dressed ladies and then they say something and it makes me cringe. For those who do not know Dundonians say eh instead of I. There was a little pink mini which went about the town which had the numberplate M2 PNK and that is just how they say it. I can be rude about it as I was born there.

Eleanorre Fri 26-Apr-13 22:43:39

I should have added that the best thing to come out of Dundee is Michael Marra . I am sure a lot of you will never have heard of him but his work was wonderful and from the heartr. Sadly he died this year but we loved the Mill Lavvies ( never sure how to spell it ) Have a look at his song'' Hermless''.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F44WfZoIN4
I just love the last line '' and then I went home for ma tea''. He wrote a wealth of songs .

em Sat 27-Apr-13 12:26:04

I take your point El, but would venture to say that all over Britain people use local pronunciation/dialect and Dundee is by no means the worst - I'm hiding behind the sofa as I suggest that eg Glasgow and Birmingham accents can be far harder to appreciate. I think you'll also find that accents vary within cities and those of us who have been fortunate with educational and employment opportunities probably don't have the broadest accents. I've lost count of the number of times I've been told I don't sound like a Dundonian!
I agree about Michael Marra. One of the finest pieces of amateur drama I've experienced was a piece produced by him in conjunction with one of the local comprehensives (and the accents were BROAD)
Anyway I find it very encouraging that this is apparently your only criticism of Dundee.
The campaign is fast approaching the goal of 2017 contributions and there's a very positive vibe around this bid.

annodomini Sat 27-Apr-13 13:17:24

Apart from Desperate Dan, the Sunday Post and the People's Friend, surely one of the very best things to come out of Dundee is Brian Cox - the brilliant actor, not the scientist.

em Sat 27-Apr-13 17:59:59

Yes anno and I'm pleased to say I taught his greatnephew. When we put on the Rocky Monster Show (not rocky horror) nephew had a small role. We wrote to Brian Cox and were delighted when he replied with best wishes and his letter had pride of place in our programme!

em Sat 27-Apr-13 18:04:08

By way of a ps - I'm pleased to tell Lully that the awful Tayside house is no longer visible above the Caird Hall. Not fully demolished but shrinking fast.

annodomini Sat 27-Apr-13 19:08:09

That is great news! I really thought the planners needed their heads examined to pollute the city-scape with that monstrosity.