I WOULD like to praise the bus driver of the Streamline bus who was driving the Lindley service at 08.10 on Monday morning.

This guy, who made it from Wakefield in the very early hours of a shocking morning to do his job in Huddersfield, getting me to work, and plenty others put to shame some of the people who took a day off and didn’t even try.

Thank you, you only took me part of the way as it was too dangerous to go over Moor Hill top, but your effort in getting in to work that morning made my journey a lot safer, shorter, and warmer.

People forget sometimes that it’s difficult for service industry workers to get to work too.

Julian Hirst

Lascelles Hall

Determined ladies

WELL done to Sharon Rogers and Bev Nicholson (Examiner, January 22) walking all the way from Cleckheaton to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

It just shows what a bit of determination does.

J Harrison

Holmfirth

Safety first?

WITH so many school closures due to the recent weather, I’m amazed to hear one teacher after another giving the stock answer that the schools were being closed “for the safety of the children”.

Then we see pictures of the children sledging down fields at great speed, rolling around in the snow and throwing snowballs at each other. Regardless of any “elf and safety” rules.

So are we to understand that taking part in outdoor winter activities is safer than sitting in a warm school classroom.?

Or is there another reason for the closures?

Bryan Spencer

Crosland Moor

Hospital heroes

LAST week I was admitted to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) for, what to me, was a fairly major operation on my back.

I spent two days in ward 20 and just want to say a massive thank you to all the nurses, doctors, consultants and other staff who helped me in that time.

From being admitted to my release I received immediate and top quality care and attention and nothing seemed too much for the staff.

Before the operation the consultant took time to reassure me and help me remain as calm as possible, this continued in the pre-surgery department as I was given the anaesthetic.

Even “more challenging” patients in the word were treated with the same love and real care. I’m not sure I would have been able to show the same patience.

Coming round from the anaesthetic I was in a great deal of pain and the comfort and care shown to me at that time was nothing short of fantastic, with immediate and “round the clock” help.

At a time when all we seem to hear about is negative news about the NHS I just wanted to share my experience and thoughts.

The work these people do can not possibly be measured in terms of targets or key performance indicators.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped me last week – you are true heroes.

David Atkinson

Kirkburton

Sound familiar?

IS THIS you? You’ve drunk alcohol for many years. You’ve had no problems and you’ve enjoyed life.

When your drinking has gotten out of hand, you’ve always had an excuse.

“It’s a one off – it won’t happen again”. “I’ll cut down / stop” and for a while you’ve managed.

At first people believed you, but now they don’t and even you are beginning to doubt the excuses yourself.

You don’t have a drink problem but people keep saying you should get help.

You drink in secret, away from family and friends.

You can’t understand why drink was once a great friend but is now causing you so many problems.

The word Alcoholic really hurts. You’re not one of them? That’s not you?

Reading this is making you feel uncomfortable.

Useful information and support contact: www.kirkleesalcoholadvisoryservice for details of meetings or speak to Norman in confidence on 07966 306334.

Frank Carroll

Bradley

Taxing times

MR BAGOT takes me to task for complaining about Kirklees Council making empty properties liable for full council tax (Letters, January 23).

If he reads carefully I am merely complaining about the use of the word “subsidise” to describe the present situation.

I did not even comment on whether it is right to charge the full amount on empty properties. I was making a political point about the Labour party’s default position of raising more money instead of making savings.

Mr Bagot ought to be aware that the services he mentioned, police and fire, are paid as separate precepts and are not council services as such. However they are collected by the council. I never said these services should not be paid for.

As Mr Bagot may be aware, most of the money spent by the council comes mainly from the grants given by National Government not from the levy on houses. A tax payer, who happens to be a landlord, will, therefore, have contributed to the council coffers.

In actual fact there may be a good case for paying full council tax on empty properties if it gets houses occupied more quickly. Just as a final thought, will Clr Sheard present Clr Khan with an increased new bill, for council tax for all council houses unoccupied?

BERNARD MCGUIN

Huddersfield

Praise for Jessops

MAY I endorse all the lady (Sue Asher, Huddersfield) said, re the closure of Jessops in Huddersfield (Examiner, January 17).

I was in the shop only a few days ago an was greeted with great courtesy (very rare in the present climate). The gentleman in the shop, always did all my photographs (holiday, special occasions etc), printed them for me!

I agree true gentlemen who were totally committed to their job. I wish all the staff at Jessops good luck in finding new positions.

I will certainly miss Jessops and all the staff in Huddersfield.

Dorothy Hargate

Birchencliffe

Collection system

REGARDING bin collections in bad weather is it not logical to leapfrog?

In it is suggested some bins will not be collected for a month. So when their day arrives again what happens if there is another heavy snow? Does that then become six weeks?

C Bartaby

Oakes