I’M writing this letter of thanks following the birth of our daughter, Sula Spavin Bell, on May 10 to all those individuals and teams who helped bring her into the world.
Although this letter is later than intended, I am sure every parent will appreciate I have been somewhat preoccupied!
The reason for this letter is to acknowledge our deep appreciation for the superb and timely care provided by the NHS throughout the pregnancy, birth and in the weeks following.
Although an emergency caesarean was ultimately required, the NHS looked after me and my as yet unborn child with skill and compassion at this frightening and urgent time.
The preceding nine months of pregnancy had been more gentle and calm but equally well supported.
We are strong believers in and supporters of the principles behind the NHS and we will be eternally grateful to both the acute and primary care organisations and their staff for the help given to our family.
I would like to specifically express our gratitude to the following people for the excellent care provided – my community midwives Janet Woodhouse and Pamela; the midwives at Huddersfield Birth Centre, Sue, Liz and Helen; the paramedics who transferred us from HRI to Calderdale at around 6am on May 10; all the staff on the Calderdale Labour Ward, especially midwife Hannah Jones, registrar Dr Chakrabati (and his SHO), consultant obstetrician Shona Hamilton; all those in theatre including the anaesthetist, Adam, Alyssa, the nurses, technicians, paediatrician; and last, but not least, the midwives on Ward 1D, particularly Claire Fox, Aimee and Julie.
Each and every one of you made us feel as if we were the only patients you had and delivered care of the highest standards.
Many, many thanks to you all.
BECCA, SULA AND DAVID SPAVIN
Edgerton
No pub for the hill please
I HAVE read with interest that the Thandi brothers are submitting another request for planning permission to build a public house/hotel on the previous site on Castle Hill.
Has the old one been missed?
There are plenty of visitors each week to walk round what is one of the most important historical sites in the north of England and they keep coming back without the facilities.
On a recent visit on a wet windy April morning there were seven cars in the car park. Our visiting friend thought the experience worth the trip, particularly as the Victoria Tower was open and we could see the whole site from the top
“The footprint is more or less identical to that of the former Castle Hill Hotel,” explain the architects. One would hope that they should also be promising to use similar weathered materials.
What an eyesore to be seen for miles around if modern stone or concrete was used – or would that be seen as good ‘advertising?’
An Interpretation Centre and public toilets are planned to draw in the visitors or school parties. How many teachers or parents would be happy for their children to be visiting a noisy public house as part of their historical education?
Who will provide the information/display material for the centre which will “radically improve the visitor experience?”
I can’t see any of the local historical or civic societies wanting to be associated with providing these for an objective which appears to be a marketing ploy.
Will anyone be available to answer questions?
Twenty-eight parking places and those already provided for genuine visitors – not so much an ancient monument more a large car park
I have to agree with Chris Marsden’s statements and cannot see that there is an exceptional case for this application on green belt land to be approved.
There are so many new hotels in Huddersfield already with Tesco wishing to build one on their old site.
Sandra Harling
Kirkheaton
I’m still in Giants’ den
I READ that Allan Ainley is out of the Giants’ Den and I wonder if he really was ‘in’.
No true Giants supporter casually walks away when the going is tough.
Yes, most fans are livid at the performance of the Giants these last two months. Nine losses out of 10 is disgraceful and Ken and Jennifer Davy must be distraught at the team’s performance.
The team have been performing like headless chickens and their fall is so disappointing after topping the league at the start of the season.
We have a new coach so let’s give him a chance and give him our support.
The Davys have not only supplied the finance to the club for many years but are also the Giants’ biggest fans.
They are responsible for my company sponsoring the Giants for the past 10 years and I, like many fans, have had some great times.
Two Challenge cup finals, three semi-final play-offs. Yes, we are getting there so come on you ‘Fartowners’ don’t fall away now.
David Meredith
Dual Seal Glass
Joined up army thinking
WHEN I went to school it was assumed that with joined up writing came joined up thinking.
With reference to forces defence cuts and troop redundancies, my suggestion is that the regiments to be cut remain and are adjusted to Territorial Army battalions and regiments thus retaining their names and glorious histories.
The gentlemen forming these organisations, instead of being kicked out of the forces, are re-employed as TA personnel, thus retaining their own military identity, equipment and clothing.
Also, being fully trained they cost the Government nothing.
So, instead of making 20,000 redundant and then having to train 30,000 at great expense to the country, we have a situation where we save a great deal of money and only have to train 10,000 and have the resources, both skilled and experienced, to train them.
I submit this as joined up thinking as I can already accomplish joined up writing.
Robert Fairclough (Ex REME)
Marsh
KO cricket competition
MANY readers will be concerned by the manner in which cricket has been overshadowed by other sports this summer.
There are many reasons for this and no clear remedy but the time may have come to try to return major cricket to Yorkshire’s cities.
Would it not be possible to stage a knockout competition under the aegis of Yorkshire County Cricket Club between teams representing, say, Huddersfield, Bradford, Leeds, Doncaster, Sheffield, Hull, Middlesbrough and York?
Players would be selected from local leagues and matches played on Sundays under T20 rules.
The final (and possibly the semi-finals) could be played at Scarborough in September as part of the festival.
Prize money for players would depend upon income and once the costs had been met any residue could go to Yorkshire CCC.
The aim of this tournament, the Yorkshire Cricket Cup, or whatever, would be to revive interest in cricket in those parts of the broad acres that now seem to be given over entirely to rugby league and football.
Maybe Yorkshire Forward could be recruited to promote a Yorkshire Day Cup.
Derek Hodgson
Huddersfield
The price of milk
INTERESTING that one of the supermarkets which pays farmers a reasonable price for their milk is the wicked and rapacious Tesco while one of the ones that doesn’t is the oh-so-ethical Co-op.
Richard Huddleston
West Slaithwaite
Inglorious Twelfth?
WITH the so-called Glorious Twelfth rapidly approaching let us consider a few of the many reasons why this bird-killing festival is nothing to celebrate.
A large number of native birds and mammals who ‘interfere’ with grouse shooting are trapped, poisoned or snared. Victims include stoats, weasels and even iconic raptors such as buzzards and golden eagles.
An unnatural, heather-rich environment is created because grouse thrive on young heather shoots. To create these fresh shoots the heather is burned which can harm wildlife and damage the environment.
Furthermore, the harsh ‘management’ of moorlands causes grouse numbers to boom. But, as they overburden the landscape, they become weakened and fall prey to a lethal parasitic infection called strongylosis. Consequently, a cycle of population boom and bust is the norm on Britain’s grouse moors.
Finally, large quantities of lead shot are discharged which is toxic to wildlife.
To order a free Anti-Shooting Information Pack visit www.animalaid.org.uk or call 01732 364546.
Andrew Tyler
Director, Animal Aid
