People who have publicly raised concerns over plans for wind farms
uncomfortably close to their Wigtownshire homes have been targeted with
hate mail.
Dr Angela Armstrong and her husband Andrew Shiells, of Barrachan Home Farm,
have received separate letters signed “Stranraer Wind Farm Enthusiasts”
calling the couple “terrorists” and telling them to remove anti-wind farm
signage on their property before they are sued.
The couple, who have been proactive in raising awareness of plans by EDF
Energy to build 18 turbines at Airriequhillart, contacted police, who
arrived following a third batch of post on Wednesday and bagged the letters
as evidence.
The letters refer to various local subjects, such as signage on a remote
stretch of road, which led the couple to believe they are from someone
closer to home than Stranraer.
Andrew said: “One horrible aspect of the Scottish government’s fascination
with turbines has been how it splits communities. We shouldn’t be bullied
for trying to save our and our neighbours’ homes from being ruined in order
that a huge foreign firm and a bunch of mainly absentee landlords can get
rick quick at our expense.”
Several scrawly notes have arrived at the home of Glenluce woman Anne
Lynch, who has voiced her concerns over the nearby Glenchamber wind farm
through local media. Anne said she isn’t scared by the letters but that
they are particularly offensive.
She said: “I suppose when you write to a newspaper like I do, and put your
name to it, you have to expect that this could happen. But what I would say
to this person is why not write a reply to that paper for all to see, and
give your own name rather than direct correspondence to individual homes?”
One of the envelopes in which the letters to Angela and Andrew arrived was
addressed to “Angela Armstrong Cupid Stunt, Anti Wind Farm Protester and
Agitator.” Anne’s letter was addressed in the same offensive manner.
Angela and Andrew’s letters claim local people want more wind farms and
fracking, and ask the couple to stop fighting with Port William Community
Council, a reference to their opposition to a turbine planned for Mochrum
which resulted in revelations about members of the CC having vested interests.
The letter refers to the Stranraer Wind Farm Enthusiasts having 1200
members “and counting”, and Angela posted the letters online in a bid to
trace the author. After they went live, several anti-wind farm groups
contacted the Gazette to point out they had no connection to the letters.
If you have information, contact police on 101.
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