IT’S been a long, hard struggle, but at last the Arctic convoy veterans are to be awarded a medal for their heroic wartime efforts.
Colne Valley folk many recall that one of the leading campaigners on behalf of the seamen was former MP Kali Mountford, who fought a strong battle for several years.
Kali’s sole regret about the otherwise welcome announcement must be that there are now only about 200 veterans alive after surviving what Winston Churchill called the “worst journey in the World” to maintain supply liners to Soviet ports.
As a current MP said recently “time is no longer a luxury that these brave men have on their side”.
Mike Shaw
Cowlersley
What a pickle
YES, we are in a right pickle, our councils are becoming a penny pinching service.
Eric Pickles, the local government secretary, is strangling Kirklees with its less money policy for our council.
Services are being cut to a minimum, now we know public toilets are going (surely a public health issue here), glass deliveries are going.
Mr Pickles’ suggestions on saving money by our council will result in more belt tightening. Perhaps you might try it Mr Pickles.
Jolly Santa
Marsden
‘Disgraceful’ increase
THE 25p increase which is given to pensioners when they reach the ripe old age of 80 is a disgrace.
What, I ask, can people buy with 25p?
Our government should knock it off or give them at least £5.
If we can dish out millions a day to fight an illegal war then I cannot see £5 to those who reach 80 are going to bankrupt our country.
This illegal war in Afghanistan is just a waste of money and lives, and it’s now time to pull our troops out and get Britain back on its feet.
We have nothing to win and everything to lose. So bring back all our troops to British soil before we lose any more.
H Barrowclough, age 92
Waterloo
Safety approach
MAY I reply to the letter “Dangerous roundabout” (Wednesday, December 19).
This roundabout in Slaithwaite is not dangerous it is a “potential hazard” but no more than any other occupier of the highway including pedestrians.
There is a need for a pedestrian highway code of practice. Most pedestrians are blase about their behaviour and indeed responsible for their own safety and others.
I could enumerate many instances from my own experiences but there is not enough space here.
However, I do agree with the letter writer from Lingards Community Association that the presence of this mini-roundabout should be properly signposted on all four roads leading into it.
A 20mph speed limit should be strictly imposed along with the correct use of this type of roundabout which will, I feel sure, improve safety all round.
Other measures spring to mind including traffic lights with pedestrian controls. This would create traffic problems with obvious results.
We could of course go back to the good old days, do away with roundabout and crossings and have a 20mph limit. A proper pedestrian code of practice coupled to common sense may just solve all the problems without any further expense, remember the cut backs!
Do you think we could manage that?
Old Motorist
Linthwaite
Northern welcome
IN this letter is a copy of a note written in my 90th birthday commemorative book by my grandson Peter.
The ‘Donald’ mentioned is Donald Swann, OBE, like myself a Huddersfield lad although I have been in Nottinghamshire for 60 years.
A few years ago I dropped my wife off in Holmfirth while I found a parking space. On my return she remarked “Everyone who passed said either ‘Good morning’ or ‘How do you do’, unlike the Market Place in Newark.
So good marks all round to the good folk of the Holme and Colne Valleys and, of course, Huddersfield and so Peter’s notes say ‘Thank you Huddersfield’. Here they are:
“So here we are sat aboard the Royal British Legion tour bus leaving Rangoon headed for Mulmein. Myself, grandad, Donald and his grandson Jonathan are sat at the back of the coach when Jonny, our Burmese guide takes to the microphone.
“Good morning,” he says, “We have a long trip ahead of us so I thought it would be good for all of you to learn some Burmese whilst we’re here.
“Let’s start with ‘hello’, repeat after me, ‘Min-ga-la-ba!’” We all make a similar noise and repeat the process until Jonny feels we’re getting close.
Jonny goes on to say: “Now you’ll find it strange when arriving in a town, it’s not like England where no one greets each other, in Burma we say hello to everyone we pass!”
Grandad and Donald, as if scripted, turn to each other simultaneously and say, “Well he’s obviously never been to Huddersfield!”
WILLIAM GORDON CUNNINGHAM
Newark
Tops for hip ops
I CAN certainly agree with the article “We are tops for hip ops” in the Examiner (December 18).
I had my first hip replacement operation five years ago at Calderdale Hospital under Mr A George. The care and attention I received from everyone both at Calderdale and Huddersfield at that time was excellent.
Unfortunately, I had to have my other hip replaced this November, again under Mr A George. Once again it was at Calderdale Hospital, with the before and after care at Huddersfield.
The care and attention from Mr George and all the staff at both hospitals was still of the highest quality and I would like to thank them all, and congratulate the Trust for its deserved position in the country.
JEAN HALLIWELL
Waterloo
In safe hands
I AM one of the black ice fallers and I would like, through the Examiner, to thank the ambulance crew, the nurses and the doctor at the accident and emergency department who come in for so many complaints.
They were brilliant and I’d like to shout it from the Castle Hill and put it on big black letters on the Examiner front page – thank you a million for looking after this “old faller”.
SAMUEL QUINN
Almondbury
Well played
OVER the past week I have attended two school plays, one at Newsome High School and one presented by Berry Brow Infants Year 2 School and been thoroughly entertained.
It was plain to see that a lot of hard work and dedication had been put into the production by the pupils, staff and helpers. Congratulations to both schools and I look forward to the next productions.
pRINCE cHARMING
Huddersfield
