Letters: Worrying visit to new ticket booking office in Huddersfield

Nov 28 2009 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

OVER the summer months I have read a lot about the protests over the closing of the Kirklees ticket booking and tourist information office in Albion Street.

To no avail, unfortunately, as it was duly closed anyway with protesters’ voices brushed aside. (Where have I read this on other matters recently ?)

I had occasion to visit the new site in Huddersfield Library in the last week, mainly as ticket booking has not yet entered the 21st Century and gone online, unlike the LBT.

I must say I was appalled to find the space is minimal for displaying material and transacting business – the desk being only just inside the front doorway.

I cannot remember the exact financial saving quoted before closure, but seem to recall that it was small in terms of council spending.

Maybe the current position of the desk is temporary, but I dread to think what any tourists might think if visiting the town and finding such inadequate facilities for information.

My sympathies were also with the staff as the nearby door was opening every minute, allowing in the unforgiving gale force wind and rain.

Surely Huddersfield deserves better than this?

Peter Fenton

Lepton

High hopes for park

MAY I offer a word of thanks to all on site involved with the regeneration of Greenhead Park, having to work in such adverse weather conditions to stay on schedule for completion.

I’m sure many people have great expectations for the completion and, if by example, the renovation of People’s Park in Halifax is any proof of good investment, it will have been well worthwhile.

I have the same fears as the Examiner letter writer Hard Up And Fed Up, but there is a commitment by Kirklees Council to focus on security – lighting, CCTV and rangers – so there is no reason why it should not be a great success and bring back some credits after the St George’s Square fiasco.

I would also suggest that on completion it will no longer be a suitable venue for pop concerts or circus etc and that if used for public entertainment the proposers are well scrutinised.

Anthony Smith

Springwood

Anger over abortions

IT IS good that Britain is following Australia in apologising for the shameful export of orphans and children taken from poor families and unmarried mothers as migrants to Australia, Canada and other former colonies until the 1960s – this being Government policy.

Another shameful Government policy is sanctioning the killing of unborn children. Millions of unborn children have been killed since the 1967 Abortion Act.

So tragic, especially since we know that at about 24 days after conception the baby’s heartbeat begins to beat.

The human landscape of modern Britain is littered with casualties.

It is so easy to drift into a culture which sanctions death and overturns all belief in the sanctity of human life.

However, I am sure that one day the Government of the day will apologise for the slaughter of unborn children and from then on we may begin to inherit a peaceful world.

Teresa Quarmby

Kirkburton

Faith in honesty

I WOULD like to thank the person who found my wallet on the 327 bus from Almondbury on Saturday, November 21.

You have restored my faith in humanity.

Thank you also to the personnel of First buses for the safe return of my wallet complete with money and all, just as I lost it.

Thanks again,

D Crompton.

Salendine Nook

Sentimental picture

I WOULD like to thank Huddersfield Arts Society, with their president Olwen Kitson (nee Barlow), for returning the self-portrait of my wife’s uncle, James Hadcock O’Brien, well-known painter, sculptor and art restorer (Vatican contract holder) to our new generation of the family.

His young and very bright career was extinguished in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

His beautiful memorial in France is kept immaculately cared for by schoolchildren there, confirmed by a visit of our younger generation members.

Additionally, big thanks to the members of the art society for the very warm reception received during the presentation which brought back to me many pleasant memories from the gone times when I had very strong connections with art and photographic societies in Huddersfield.

These included the College Art Department where three pictures were painted from my transparencies taken in the Polish Tatra mountains over 60 years ago before a huge destruction there by hurricanes, exhibited in Huddersfield Art Gallery.

As one to whom vast amounts of the artist heritage was left to be passed to future generation by the last surviving member of the O’Brien family, the returning of the self portrait was a happy occasion.

Another point. In the beginning of 1950 a sculpture of a considerable size of J H O’Brien was exhibited on a prominent place in Huddersfield Library. Could any reader give some information as to the whereabouts of the sculpture? Contact 01484 424085.

Tony Sosna

Huddersfield

Teenage views

I READ with interest the article about today’s teenagers by Colin Walker.

I have always tried to see the teenagers’ point of view and my own experiences of them to a large extent coincides with Mr Walker’s.

I stand by my own opinion on this subject and point taken from Mr Walker.

It has elevated my own self confidence on my own attitude towards the younger generation.

And all I can say is he has my congratulations for the research he has carried out. Well done.

Mr D Devlin

Lindley

Pull our troops out

GORDON Brown says he understands the pain of families of troops killed in Afghanistan.

I can only say if Gordon Brown feels like this why does he not withdraw all our troops and this illegal war?

He took on all the mess Tony Blair left him with and if it is allowed to continue he will be classed as another Blair.

He will also have a pain to live with for the rest of his life.

H Barrowclough

Waterloo

Politicians’ religion

NOWADAYS we appear to be hearing much about politicians’ religious connections.

Quite regularly the so-called moral compass is mentioned.

Then the former Prime Minister Tony Blair was reported as not doing God, then later converting to Catholicism and starting his Faith Foundation.

More recently, it seems David Cameron has mentioned the subject. If a politician is, but nature, a truthful, upstanding and honourable man, what happened when the really difficult decisions kick in?

Do they then have no qualms about releasing their spin to the electorate, go into denial or become addicted to the adrenaline rush of power, top dog and all that.

Of course we mustn’t forget that an election is looming.

I’m sure it will be now very difficult for any of them to regain the trust of the people they are there to serve.

Brenda Holroyd

Netherthong

Come out of hiding

IF Hard Up And Fed Up was to come out of hiding we should know who we were dealing with.

These carping correspondents who hide under a cloak of anonymity do not deserve the publicity.

What claim have these ‘hoodies’ to be voicing public opinion?

Has Hard Up And Fed Up ever offered to serve on the council he castigates?

Does he work with one of our voluntary or charitable organisations? Does he represent anybody but himself? He appears to have no understanding of what public service means.

So I will indulge myself on this occasion by using an easily penetrable veil of secrecy by signing myself.

PC

Waterloo

Cheer grumpy up

I’M sure that many people are fed up with the grumpy old man who’s always moaning about everything in the Examiner.

I thought it was time for someone to give him and other moaners reasons to cheer up.

1) We live in a town where so many of the people are friendly and helpful.

2) Christmas is coming when lots of folk feel goodwill to others.

3) We have an NHS which is still very good.

4) In a month’s time the days will gradually start to lengthen.

5) We have a free town bus with pleasant drivers.

6) Older people can make use of a free travel pass.

7) Huddersfield Town are doing well and may get promotion.

8) The majority of pensioners aren’t miserable but look on the bright side of life.

Aunty Cheerful

Huddersfield

Tough Tory talk

THE recent reneging by Mr Cameron on his ‘solemn promise’ to give the country a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty plus his dithering and eventual U-turn on all-female selection panels for parliamentary seats suggests he is not much different from Mr Brown.

Indeed, stripping away the rhetoric and hot air, present government policies and those of the Conservative Party are very similar on major issues such as Afghanistan/Iran, Europe, nuclear defence, NHS, social security, education, law and order, climate change, etc.

No wonder people are confused and voters are wondering who to vote for at the forthcoming General Election. Many will not bother, concluding that there is no major difference between the two main parties who have held power since the end of World War Two.

A recent report carried out for the Taxpayers’ Alliance claims that withdrawal from the European Union could save the British family £428 a year or £10.8bn a year if we negotiated a Swiss-style trading agreement with the EU instead.

Mr Cameron could, at a stroke, save us a lot of money by giving us a referendum on EU withdrawal and following up a ‘yes’ vote for withdrawal.

He could also make a major impact on the immigration issue (many EU members invited to leave?), make amendments to the Human Rights legislation and rid us of the ridiculous political correctness agendas of various quangos.

This strategy would also surely kick the UK Independence Party and the British National Party into touch.

A referendum on these lines would make a distinct gap between the two major parties and a much cleaner choice at the election box.

Mr Cameron could go even further and ‘grant’ complete autonomy to Scotland and Wales.

Let’s face it, the Conservatives have little support there!

This again would save us a considerable sum and boost the English coffers.

No Scottish and Welsh MPs would ever again be involved in decision-making over English affairs at Westminster.

The result, a Conservative Government for decades to come. What a utopia?

So come on, Mr Cameron, give us a proper referendum.

devil’s advocate

Huddersfield

Neville’s wrong

THE letter from Neville the Devil (Examiner 20th November) claimed the police rely on the public.

Well I am sorry, Neville, but you are wrong.

It is the public who rely on the police. My previous letter was in response to the letter from Phil Ramsden who had been treated wrongly by the West Yorkshire Police.

I do not expect the police to deal with every single little thing, as you claim.

I do, however, expect the police to carry out their duties correctly.

They are, after all, servants of the public and should deal with everything that comes under their remit.

They should not pick and choose. The Home Secretary has just stated that he would expect the police to attend at every report of crime.

Finally, Neville, you previously called me an armchair hero who has never faced an angry man in my life.

You are wrong again. Having served 30 years in the emergency services and retired due to injuries received at work I can say I have been there, done that and got the T-shirt.

HARD UP AND FED UP

Huddersfield