IT WAS interesting to read in Tuesday’s edition of the Examiner of a new head maintaining the traditions of a local school, Mount Pleasant.
I am sure I will not be alone among ex-pupils, parents and staff in remembering the warm welcome, community links and striving for achievements as hallmarks of the school over the years. The Cambridge Primary Review, published on Friday, reports on the damage done to primary education nationally by a narrow focus on literacy and numeracy targets.
Let us hope therefore that high standards in the arts and sport are also maintained at the school. I wish them well in the future.
F Hobart
Netherton
Community values
I READ with interest your article about the new head of Mount Pleasant School.
I am pleased that she is going to continue the excellent work started by previous dedicated heads, deputies and staff.
For many years the community, staff and children have worked hard to achieve a vibrant and welcoming school, striving to further achievement in all areas of the curriculum.
The summer fairs (formerly autumn markets) have until very recently been an enjoyable experience for all. Much innovative work has been achieved in the arts, sport and IT with the school held up as an inspiration to others.
I hope that the Cambridge Primary Review helps to focus the true values of primary education that parents and teachers have always known and that Mount Pleasant School continues to be the valuable community school that it always has been.
I wish them all well.
A Beal
New Mill
Stop this sell-off
LAST Saturday, communication workers, union officials and members from the Royal Mail in Huddersfield handed out thousands of campaign postcards to the public.
We are campaigning against the threatened sell-off of up to 49% of the Royal Mail to private firms in a so-called minority stake sale, which has been proposed by Peter Mandelson.
We are calling on MPs from all parties, but especially Labour Party MPs, to oppose this part-privatisation of the Royal Mail. Specifically, we are asking MPs to sign a parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM 428) to register their opposition.
To date, some 139 MPs have signed the EDM, but this unfortunately does not include Barry Sheerman or Kali Mountford, the two Huddersfield MPs. Does this mean that they support this sell-off?
I would like to thank all the CWU members, and members of the public, who have so far participated in this campaign and to invite others who support us to write to their MPs as well.
Simon Midgley
CWU Unit Representative, Royal MailHuddersfield
Yorkshire caution
I WOULD venture to suggest that there is a growing misuse of the excellent Yorkshire term “Middlin” in responding to an enquiry after one’s health.
There are actually three types of Middlin’ - Middlin’ itself, Nobbut Middlin’ and Nobbut varry Middlin’. Of the three the safest response, showing a proper Yorkshire caution and not wishing to tempt Providence, is “Nobbut Middlin’ ”.
“Middlin’ ” itself is far too optimistic, being the equivalent of the Southerner’s “Top-hole, old boy” (And don’t enquire into the origins of that one).
In contrast “Nobbut varry Middlin’ ” is to imply that one is at death’s door.
Arthur Quarmby
Holme
Mamma Mia, what a show
LIKE Dave Weaver (Letters, Saturday, Feb 21) we’ve got the DVD and the film of Mamma Mia!
However, two days before you published Dave’s email we were sitting on the stalls front row at the Prince of Wales Theatre seeing the London stage show of Mamma Mia! for the second time. Suggest that you do the same, Dave.
The music is magnificent; the staging is superb; and actors are some of the very best in the West End.
And all this takes place in a recently, expertly renovated, attractive Art Deco theatre. If possible, go for seats A14-A18 where Sophie with Sam and then with Sky sit less than a yard from you singing their duets.
And, yes, like everyone in the auditorium, we were on our feet, singing our hearts out in the 15-minute reprise at the end of the show. And we’re in our sixties!
Sorry, Dave, but the London stage show knocks spots off the film.
CliveyBoy
A Leeson lesson?
ONE hundred and one things I never thought I’d say: number 107.
I could almost start to feel sorry for Nick Leeson – you know, the man who broke a small investment bank with his reckless trading. Leeson was sacked from his relatively lowly post and went to prison for his misdeeds.
It might seem now that his real crime was a lack of ambition. Had he wrecked a large part of the nation’s economy and brought down a major bank or two, from a position at the head of the banking food chain, then far from going to gaol he would surely now be living the high-life.
He would either be in line for wondrous bonuses and an extravaganza of corporate hospitality, or settling into early retirement paid for by a multi-million pound pension fund courtesy of, ultimately, the tax-payer. Or both.
Alas, poor Nick. Oh that punishments should be made to fit the crime.
Bill Armer
Deighton
Safe driving
I AM sorry to read about the “carnage” as it is called on Wakefield Road, but, Mary Creagh, throwing money at the problem such as graphic signs, speed cameras, interactive signals is not the answer.
Nearly every report into accidents on Wakefield Road seemingly states “the driver lost control”. “hit a tree,” “hit a wall”.
The said trees and walls have been there for many many years and if a driver was driving at a reasonable speed and manner appropriate to the road conditions I am quite sure the trees and walls would remain on their own patch well out of harms way.
I cast my mind back many years, when I was driving instructing and had a letter published in this very newspaper about the declining standards of driving. One of my remarks was of a survey I came across in an American magazine involving motor accidents.
It stated that of all motor accidents 1.3% were due driver illness (such as heart failure) 7.2% due to mechanical failure and 91.5% were due to the driver error.
The solution would seem to me to have more rigorous driver training, possibly while still at school, where simulated driving situations could be set up, and then a more safety conscious strategy introduced into driving instruction whereby the emphasis on driver responsibility should be paramount.
B Akroyd
Huddersfield
Who pays this bill?
PETER and I have to agree with Mr Grumpy. You say the police in Huddersfield’s football ground are paid for by the club, but what about the 30 standing by the train station, the countless bobbies on the beat all the way to Leeds Road and about 10 mounted police?
Does the club pay for them or is it us taxpayers, some of whom dislike football? I had the misfortune of having to make a trip to Leeds Road and saw them all.
If there were this number of police around on a Friday and Saturday night we may not have the trouble.
Vanessa Mallalieu
Quarmby
Unknown quantity
KMC is stupid. Huddersfield is well known because of its textile cloth that went all over the world but Kirklees is not known or recognised by anyone.
Mrs Robinson
Marsh
Still waiting
WITH reference to the “Repair our Road” story (Examiner February 18) urging the council to repair the road after this month’s cold snap.
Residents and motorists of Dunford Road in Holmfirth have been waiting years for this road (a major commuting road) to be repaired.
Kirklees would rather repair to M1 conditions country roads which are used by three to four vehicles per hour such as Bare Bones road at Hade Edge.
Perhaps if a councillor was to move in to Dunford Road we may see something in return for our rates.
If Kirklees are not to repair it, could they please provide a set of spanners to tighten all the nuts and bolts on my car.
Adam McTar
Hade Edge
Speed check
MAY I point out the error in Councillor Christine Smith’s statement (and your lead story) regarding the speed limit on Huddersfield Road between Shelley and Kirkburton.
It is unfortunate that Councillor Smith does not know the area well enough or indeed has bothered to check the facts before issuing a statement.
The speed limit along this particular stretch is in fact the national limit of 60 mph not 40 as quoted.
It has long been clear that this is an anomaly and I trust an urgent review will now be undertaken; what a pity it has to cost a life first.
Stephen Caines
Huddersfield
