JUST a few comments on the debate over additions of the natural chemical fluoride into the drinking water supply.

I am now 56 years old, being the middle child of a family of seven. We were all born and raised in the slums of Huddersfield, spending several years on what was the worst area of the town at that time: Turnbridge.

We were what would be described as being poor. My father always worked but due to the large family and the fact he was a very selfish person, very little money trickled down to myself and my siblings. I am not complaining, it’s what made me the person I am today.

The point I am making is that we never saw a tube of toothpaste or even a toothbrush until we grew older and went out into the wide world.

In my case I was 18 before I even saw a dentist.The thing is all of us have excellent teeth even today. And in my own case I didn’t have a filling until my late forties. Nobody can tell me that the occasional rubbing with my index finger along my teeth with a bit of bicarbonate of soda or the alternative soot and salt that my father always recommended can explain why we all have such excellent teeth.

No, I am afraid the only sensible explanation is the far sightedness of the local water authority at that time in adding the magnificent chemical fluoride to our drinking water supply.

So I would like to make a point of thanking them for all those pain free years, of not having dental work carried out on our teeth. And I only hope that it can be added again so other unfortunate children can have the same protection that we had.

Joseph B McManus

Linthwaite

What about “The Dukes”?

I APPRECIATE that the special Huddersfield parade on Saturday is for the “Yorkshire Regiment”. However, your article makes specific reference to the 3rd Battalion (formerly the “Dukes”). As you are aware the “Dukes” as they are still affectionately known are made up with large numbers coming from the Huddersfield area.

I am curious therefore to know who it was who decided to hold a parade in Huddersfield when some of the “Dukes” are still on military training exercise in Canada and do not return to the UK until November 10 2008.

It seems to me that the “Dukes” should be included in large numbers in this parade and all “Dukes” should be given the opportunity to take part particularly those from Huddersfield.

I am disappointed that the powers that be didn’t see fit to hold the march when these men are available in larger numbers. The turn out and support I am sure would be far greater if this parade were to include more local soldiers from the immediate area especially in light of the fact that the Yorkshire Regiment will deploy again next year to Iraq or Afghanistan.

It is my intention to turn out and show my support for our troops after all one can’t blame the soldiers for someone else’s lack of thought but I as the mother of a serving “Duke” would have been delighted to be able to watch my son march through his home town.

Perhaps now is the time for someone somewhere to start giving some thought to a “welcome home parade” next year when the Regiment returns from their next deployment?

Catherine Walter

Huddersfield

Lower the bus fares

IF petrol prices are going down then why don’t bus fares go down? Instead they keep putting them up.

Surely the First bus company make enough money to lower the fares to a more reasonable price. Ask anybody and they will tell you that bus fares are way too expensive since they shot up in the space of a few months. From Deighton to Town it costs £1.50 – it used to be £1.20 and for a return ticket it went from £2.00 to £2.50.

For some people it might not seem a lot but if you’re on minimum wage, 50 pence is a lot of money, and the day and weekly riders have shot up too.

An advert caught my eye as I was waiting for the bus this morning – it said save CO2 emissions catch a bus! In other words give up your car, catch a bus and give us your hard earned cash!

If they want people to give up cars and start getting buses then why don’t they lower the fares – I’m sure it wouldn’t bankrupt them. They make enough money.

Andrew Ledwold

Deighton

Held up by the bin men

ON Thursday I drove along Broomfield Road with my grandson in the rear seat. I was taking him to school.

In front of me was a Kirklees refuse collection wagon. This wagon stayed in the centre of the road and stopped at each gate post to allow the bin men to put the full bins on the back of the wagon.

Although the driver of the refuse wagon knew I was behind, he continued to block the road. I waited patiently behind him for a full ten minutes, at which point three cars came past from the opposite direction.

As I pulled out to overtake, the wagon driver drew forward, again blocking me. I put my arms in the air in exasperation, to which the driver just waved back in a mocking fashion. This driver takes the biscuit. When I block him in my cul-de-sac next week for ten minutes or so, will I have Kirklees officials coming up to withdraw my bin collection? Or should I just make a formal complaint against this individual who would be better employed away from the wheel of a motor vehicle.

Name and address supplied

All ifs and butts ....

SAVE the fish and wetlands, you write, help reduce global warming, Kirklees Council says. As I sit here for three hours at my computer burning electricity trying to use the website and phone number to claim my free water butt I can’t help thinking I am doing more harm than good.

Would it not be easier for people to collect one from a depot on a first come first served basis rather than this fiasco.

Martyn Cook

Kirkheaton

Wayne’s world

WAYNE EDMUND has a temporary Asbo forbidding him from “behaving in a threatening way anywhere in Kirklees” (Examiner, October 16). I haven’t got an Asbo, does this mean I can behave in a threatening way without fear of arrest? And if I shoot someone through the head in Cross Church Street can I expect to get an Asbo?

Richard Huddleston

West Slaithwaite

Taking responsibility

I HAVE just read yet another report on repairs to new carriageway (this time at Brook Lane, Golcar) and feel I must be critical of Kirklees Council as the number of cases cannot be a coincidence.

The reports all state that the repairs will be carried out at no cost to the council: so that is all right then. Well yes, the contractor should stand the physical costs of repair but I fear it is an optimistic statement as, once signs of failure are detected, there are many costs that will be borne by the council from the time of detection to when the repairs are completed – reports, road closures and administration to name but a few.

These costs could have been avoided if contract supervision had ensured full compliance with the contract specification relating to workmanship, materials, weather conditions etc.

The council cannot deny its own responsibility in this sorry state of affairs.

John Needham

Brockholes

State of our war memorials

I CAN tell the future. After Remembrance Sunday next month your newspaper will receive letters from those who attended services about how proceedings were marred by the state of the war memorial around which they were gathered.

Will the same be true in ten years time when, on and around November 11 2018, we come to commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice?

Here’s another prediction: on the run up to that centenary there will be a surge of interest in the First World War generated by the media. There will be a plethora of “commemorative events”, “special features” and of course outdoor services. However, will the sorry and decaying state of many of our nation’s war memorials be overlooked? I hope not.

Praise must be given to the work of the War Memorials Trust and others who strive to restore this part of our heritage but this only scratches the surface of the problem. The callous reality is that the question comes down to money. We need a fundamental re-think about how we maintain our war memorials.

In ten years’ time let’s remember our war dead against a backdrop of pristine, structurally sound (or at the very least, readable) war memorials across the nation. I have recently formulated some ideas about how this might be achieved and am willing to share these with anyone interested. Please e-mail me at ray56thompson@tiscali.co.uk Thank you.

Ray Thompson

Brigg, North Lincs.

She wants your playground tales

IF you have vivid and interesting stories to tell – from playground adventures, to imaginary worlds, to fun and games in the streets and fields – we want to hear them!

Testimony Films (makers of Pocketful of Posies - BBC 2 and Green and Pleasant Land - Channel 4) are making a BBC documentary history on how children’s outdoor play has changed, based on people’s memories.

We’re interested in child’s play in Britain from the early years of the 20th century right up to the 1970s and 80s. Which was the decade of your childhood and what were the most popular outdoor games of your era?

In the past children often had more freedom to take risks and play away from the watchful eyes of parents which could be liberating – but it could sometimes result in danger or disaster. Did you do things as a child which you were lucky to get away with?

Children’s play could also be cruel. Were you bullied as a child, or were you the bully!?

If you have a child’s play story to tell, please write, phone, or e-mail me - Clair Titley, Testimony Films, 12 Great George St, Bristol, BS1 5RH. Tel 0117 925 8589. E-mail: clair.titley@testimonyfilms. com

clair titley

Testimony Films