Do we really want to go back to ‘normal’?

Sir, – What is normal and what do we really want from life?

Is it the freedom to do whatever we want, whenever and wherever we want?

If so, we will just return to pre-pandemic behaviour, a major factor leading to this dreadful predicament.

We can place the blame with China, but in reality it is misguided human activities from a global perspective.

We all seek security, sustenance and, of course, fulfilment but the avoidance of constraints has become a major issue for all mankind.

It is high time to determine

matters and take all necessary measures without delay.

The world’s oldest religion provides a clear indication of behavioural requirements – for actions to be performed without any expectation of reward.

Kenneth Miln.

Union Street, Monifieth.

Reading John Milne’s ‘Shopping in Strathardle’ was also a trip down memory lane for Gladys Farquharson who was brought up in Strathardle.

She says: “I remember Arthur Melville’s wooden seated bus from Enochdhu to Blairgowrie High School (Upper Allan Street) collecting all the children from the glen en route.

“Mr and Mrs Brown had the grocer’s shop before Halleys. I worked in Browns. Miss Mcmillan had the post office and Peter Crighton was the blacksmith, while Miss (Bud) Mcgregor was the Kirkmichael School teacher.

“We should not forget PC Ferguson, ‘the Bobby’, and Alex Stewart who was the blacksmith at Netherton, Bridge of Cally. Happy days.”

All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers is burning its way through £30 million to £35m every four weeks during the national lockdowns and restrictions, bosses have said.

They said the business had a cash balance of just £113m as of January 16, with all facilities drawn, and needs to make a £51m on interest payment on its debts by March 15.

The dire warning came as it announced a launch of a £351m fundraising exercise to prop up its balance sheet, calling it “critical for the continued operation of the group and its immediate financial stability”.

The company, which also owns Toby Carvery and Harvester, also revealed it has agreed with pension trustees to delay contributions from January to March. They will resume from April.

From September 27 2020 to January 16 this year, sales were 69.8% below the previous year, the firm added. On a likefor-like basis for sites when open, excluding periods of closure, trading was 30.1% down on the year before.

A consortium of three of its largest investors previously said they will be able to make the whole £351m available for the fundraising launched yesterday. Piedmont, Elpida Group and Smoothfield joined up to create holding company Odyzean, holding 55% of the company.