LET us start the New Year right. With an election coming up, at most 18 months hence, your paper could spearhead a campaign to highlight the ways that would bring sanity back into the world at large, starting at home.

The first step would be removing the rag, tag and bobtail 650 Politopolists, who together have put us in our current situation.

The way to do this is to promote one Independent candidate in each constituency. They would have 3 or 4 specific (I think , surefire) conditions to conform to in order to be selected.

I am sure there will be a handful of people prepared to pay the deposits of those chosen – approx £1m.

Those who would elect these IMPs, are the many non-voters, pensioners and the disillusioned party voters looking for a credible alternative.

We need people doing rather than talking. There are among us, those who are prepared to dirty their hands with the soil of the earth, or the grease of the factory, as well as leaders in industry. The time has come to pull our heads out of the clouds and put our feet back on the ground.

Having priced ourselves out of a lot of the manufacturing industries with the minimum wage and the reluctance to rein in the overpaying of many of those in the world of parasites (people who produce nothing), there is a simple solution.

Are you then ready to take up the challenge, and start putting the world to rights?

I look forward to your reply!

arthur marson

Huddersfield

Tesco in Holmfirth ...

SEVERAL letters in the “Tesco in Holmfirth” debate seem to be written with only the Co-op in mind. In response to the criticism of Wooldale Co-op stores, they are NOT supermarkets, they are convenience stores.

They may not be as cheap as the big boys, but for many of the elderly people in the area, and people without their own transport, they provide an invaluable service. This is also true of many other small shops. Let us not forget that Tesco will sell meat, fresh bread, flowers etc so butchers, bakers and florists will also suffer. There will doubtless be a pharmacy and a cafe, so more sufferers there.

Many of the 350 jobs that will be created (most of which will probably be part time) will be lost elsewhere.

Another major concern is the traffic situation. Anybody who is in the area at drop off and pick up times for the schools will know how bad the roads are already. With all the extra traffic the store will create, how long will it be before the Examiner headline is of a child being knocked down?

Ian Booth

New Mill

... and the unwanted results

WHAT do Brockholes, Honley, Newsome, Kirkburton, Shepley, Shelley, Ingbirchworth, Denby Dale, Clayton West, Marsden, Meltham etc have in common?

For the first time in their lives 1000s of shoppers from these areas (and further afield) could become weekly retail pilgrims of Tesco, Holmfirth.

Consequences to Holmfirthers – longer journey times, increased air/noise pollution and road traffic accidents (would you want to live around Thongsbridge post Tesco?) Dilution of already depleted shopping options in Holmfirth. Strategic bulls-eye on the Tesco map and of course cheaper shopping for current Holmfirth shoppers (car owners only, need apply for savings).

I don’t mind saving a few bob but I’m against it.

John Gibson

Holmfirth (and within walking distance)

Down the plughole

IT has been stated many times since 1999 regarding the subject of fluoride in the water supplies that this act, without doubt, is mass dedication without consent and more recently has been mentioned as an infringement of our human rights.

If people decided not to pay their water rates, then probably fluoride would disappear down the plug-hole pronto, never to be heard of again.

Good clean water is vital to life, essential for our continued existence.

Let is stay that way without any “Big Brother” interference.

brenda holroyd

Netherthong

Praise for Marsden lights

FULL marks to the community and the residents of the village of Marsden for the magnificent and colourful displays of lights, including the spectacular waterfall.

Come on councillors, get up there, and take a leaf out of their book!

doreen france, MBE

Crosland Moor

Parking problems

IN response to Katie Campling, news reporter, Examiner, December 19. I agree with her story “Parking problems as badge system abused”.

I too am a disabled driver, I’m nearly 53 but look young for my age. I’ve had a disability since 2001 and just because I look and dress a lot younger and drive a sports car, it doesn’t make my disability go away. But on several occasions I’ve parked in disabled spaces with my blue badge on display and had elderly people look at me and on one occasion an elderly couple walked past as I was getting out of my car and remarked: “she doesn’t look disabled to me”.

So to defend myself I shouted that “because I’m not old and drive a brand new car and haven’t got a stick doesn’t make me able bodied – you don’t know me.” So they looked away in embarrassment.

I also attend HRI out-patients’ department every month and I have to go through A&E department and every time I look for a parking space, guess what? The only four disabled spaces are taken up by, yes, drivers with no blue badges.

We reported this on every occasion to reception and all I get told is: “Oh I will look into it with the car park attendant.”

Last time I was there 3½ hours and not one car park attendant was seen putting a parking fine or clamp on these morons’ cars. Yet if I had parked upstairs without my badge in a disabled bay I would have been clamped so what’s the difference between the upstairs car park at HRI to the A&E car park?

I suggest these wardens keep an eye on this car park instead of walking round the main entrance all the time.

disgusted disabled driver

Dalton

More Wine, please

HAVE the BBC gone stark raving mad, pulling the plug on Last of the Summer Wine; the best programme on TV? What a joy to be able to relax with the gentle humour, no vulgarity and fabulous scenery.

I was sorry to hear about Kathy Staff, she was great as Nora, but the show would have survived like it did when Bill Owen popped his clogs – due of course to the great writing by Roy Clarke.

I hope they get loads of complaints and re-think. I’ve watched since the first episode.

mrs gaynor clegg

Ravensthorpe

Support is so welcome

I WOULD like to thank all your readers who have so generously supported Breast Cancer Care throughout 2008.

Breast Cancer Care is here for anyone affected by breast cancer. Not only the individual dealing with a diagnosis but their partners, friends, families and children too. We bring people together, provide information and support, and campaign for improved standards of care. We use our understanding of peoples’ experience of breast cancer and our clinical expertise in everything we do.

All of our services are free, and this is only possible thanks to the fabulous support we receive from the countless individuals who raise funds for us.

From hosting an In The Pink party, to joining us on a Ribbon Walk or organising collections, your efforts enable us to help those living with breast cancer.

A special thanks must also go to our volunteers who help deliver the charity’s practical services and information sessions in communities across the UK.

By sharing their own personal experience of breast cancer, they are also able to provide much needed emotional support to those newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

On behalf of Breast Cancer Care I would like to say thank you so much to you all for your help during 2008, and I look forward to your continued support in the coming year.

Samia al Quadhi

Chief Executive, Breast Cancer Care www.breastcancercare.org.uk Helpline: 0808 800 6000

Anna and the mature driver

THE FORMER newsreader Anna Ford says that the over 70s should have to take a new driving test.

Might I suggest that the majority of road accidents are caused by the younger generation. Considering that Anna Ford is now 65, she had better observe the Highway Code in five years time, lest she be hoisted on her own petard!

Kathleen Etches

Huddersfield