Sir, – I write regarding your report in last Friday's issue of the meeting in Elgin organised by Oxfam Scotland to highlight the supposed link between the recent flooding in the town and man-made climate change.

Sir, – I am disgusted at the way I am treated when I phone The Moray Council, complaining about the mess and destruction that is taking place at the Burghead cemetery.

Sir, – I was interested to find out that a Speed Networking event is being arranged in Forres by Highlands and Islands Enterprise to encourage servicemen and women with "transferable" skills to stay in the area when they leave the RAF.

Sir, – I was shocked and upset that your 'Letter of the Week' on January 29, by Jean Hay, should state that the solution to our flooding problems at Kingston is to move "while there is still a market".

Sir, – We learn that the proposed flood alleviation scheme for Elgin is now to be delayed for about another six months.

Sir, – 'The Northern Scot' is to be commended for the detailed coverage about the flooding issues affecting Kingston and Garmouth.

Sir, – I refer to your recent correspondent, Jean Hay, and her letter about the articles and letters concerning the 'spate' of flooding in Kingston and Garmouth.

Sir, – As a long-time resident of Kingston, I was interested to read of the concerns raised by the residents of the village on the risk of flooding.

Sir, – I have a huge gripe about the state of the public footpaths and steps throughout Elgin, and would like to take the chance to respond to Mr Park's letter of January 8, entitled "Let's stop complaining and start shovelling".

Sir, – I am writing in reference to the public meeting held in Garmouth on Friday, January 15, chaired by Angus Robertson, MP, concerning issues about flooding in Garmouth and Kingston.

Sir, – I was incensed to read in 'The Northern Scot' of Moray Council's head of education services Alistair Farquhar's threat to teachers "no work, no pay", if they chose not to turn up to work in wintry conditions.

Sir, – Unlike Michael Park, in his letter published on January 8, I witnessed plenty of residents armed with shovels clearing roads and pavements, and was heartened by their determination to get to work despite the appalling state of the roads.

Sir, – As a former, long-time resident of Elgin and now of New York, I am writing in disbelief at the state of the town's pavements - but also at the reaction of some of the town's residents.

Sir, – In your editorial last week (January 1), you spoke of a hope that a spirit of togetherness would keep our communities strong in 2010.

Sir, – Moray Council's handling and management of the continuing freezing conditions is, to say the least, unbelievable and can only be described as inconsiderate and intolerable.

Sir, – I regularly walk my children to West End Primary School and use both Mayne Road and Forteath Avenue, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to enjoy either of these routes as there is utter mess on the pavements due to irresponsible dog owners.

Sir, – As we fast approach the festive season our thoughts turn to our well-deserved break from work, scrumptious feasts, the giving and opening of presents, the singing of carols and, of course, best of all, the children.

Sir, – I have read with great interest the article about rubbish collections in last Friday's issue of your newspaper.

Sir, - New Elgin Parent Council has responded to Moray Council's budget cut proposals, and the main areas of concern are the following proposed cuts to educational services: Reduction in the devolved budget for schools; reduction of additional support needs; reduction of additional support needs early years budget; reduction of continuing professional development of school staff; restriction of community use of schools; ceasing the provision of free bread and milk with school meals.

Sir, - I am astonished that Councillor Hogg, in last week's 'Northern Scot', makes a lone statement relating to Moray Council's budget deficit.

Sir, – Forres Academy Parent Council has been invited to comment on the proposals by Moray Council to make at least £20 million in budget cuts over the next four years.

Sir, – There has been some bad press about dogs recently.

Sir, – Having been involved in youth work in Moray for a good number of years until my retirement in 2007, I now find myself actively following every aspect of this service throughout Moray.

Sir, – 'The Great Savings Plan' as reported in your paper is very perturbing.

Sir, – Following last week's publication of proposed council cutbacks, I felt I had to convey my feelings to others.

Sir, – The proposed savings would make easier reading if Moray Council considered sharpening the pencil more at their end.

Sir, – Following the article in last week's 'Northern Scot' about a five-year-old being knocked down on Lossiemouth's West Beach, and that a dog ban on our beaches could be put in place, I wish to deliver a rant for common sense.

Sir, – Last week's 'Northern Scot' once again raised the issue of irresponsible dog owners in Lossiemouth, which shows no sign of going away.

Sir, – Your leader column ('Water woes continue at Tomintoul', 'The Northern Scot', October 23) concludes with the comment, "they deserve better, they deserve what the rest of us have". Scottish Water agrees.

Sir, – Following the recent appearance of Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party, on BBC's 'Question Time', it is important that we all examine our reactions to two of this year's political bombshells: namely the MPs' expenses scandal and the election of two BNP members to the European Parliament.

Sir, – In answer to the letter from Charles Macdonald about the river dredging ('The Northern Scot', October 23), I quite agree with all of his points.

Sir, – Once again the defence issue comes back to the Letters section of 'The Northern Scot', and with it another ill-informed suggestion that the SNP is a threat to the air bases in Moray.

Sir, – The recent 'Northern Scot' article and correspondence about the SNP's plans for the Moray air bases opens a can of worms the SNP have been trying to keep closed for years.

Sir, – Since my letter to 'The Northern Scot' of two weeks ago regarding previous and recent flooding in Elgin and other areas, I daily receive overwhelming support from members of the public regarding my comments about the best solution – to have the River Lossie dredged, cleaned, widened and all bridges spanning the river reinforced.

Sir, – I take a great interest in the flood alleviation proposals for Elgin. Growing up there for 18 years I can remember several occasions where flooding caused problems for me and many others.

Sir, – I had the dubious pleasure of sitting in the public gallery during the Moray Council planning and regulatory services committee meeting on Tuesday when they considered the consultation on the 59-turbine Dorenell wind farm.

Sir, – Almost five months ago I asked the question, through these columns: Will an independent SNP Government retain, at comparable levels, RAF Kinloss and RAF Lossiemouth?

Sir, – The news of the laying waste of West Lodge at Dr Gray's as a supportive base, and now the possibility of Ward 4 being closed, is certainly intriguing.

Sir, – I have studied your readers' comments with great interest over recent weeks regarding the flooding once more affecting Elgin and surrounding areas, with devastation caused yet again to people's homes and other properties; and once again my sympathy is heartfelt.

Sir, – So the council are now stating blatantly to flood victims, at the public inquiry, that it will be at least three years before the flood prevention scheme will go ahead, and they also nonchalantly tell us that it could flood again within five years.

Sir, – I would like to assess interest in Elgin offering 'fellowship' to communities by the same name in US states from Alabama to Utah.

Sir, – In the near future, with the support of 18 MSPs, Margo McDonald MSP will introduce the proposed End of Life Choices (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament.

Sir, – It was with dismay that I read in last Friday's 'Northern Scot' the public notice from Moray Council Roads Department concerning a proposed 30-minute Limited Waiting Restriction at Clifton Road, Lossiemouth.

Sir, – On Tuesday, Moray councillors, acting as the planning authority, are expected to finally take a decision about the Dorenell wind farm application. If they do not object, the Scottish Ministers are likely to ignore local objections and rubber stamp the application.

Sir, – We should like to express our concerns at the failure of the flood alleviation wall bund built beside our house at Longmorn to contain any resulting floodwaters from the Linkwood Burn.

Sir, – I note that in a recent issue of 'The Northern Scot' a sizeable additional housing complex to the north of the Spynie Hospital site, together also with the one in New Elgin, are being seriously considered for planning approval by the local authorities.

Sir, – I have, today, seen the flood prevention plans for Elgin and I am appalled.