I SHOULD like to say a very big thank you for publishing the article on my struggles with and recovery from the eating disorder anorexia (Examiner April 1).

I know that there are many others in our region who are suffering with this illness, even though I do not know who they are, who are seeking ways and means of overcoming this debilitating illness.

If my tell-all story of this illness has the effect of changing the life of just one sufferer, whether she or he is in the throes of this illness or at the onset of decline into this illness, then the story that you so kindly published will have played a crucial part in helping to change the life of that person in our local community.

In case anyone wishes to obtain more information about eating disorders, I would highly recommend the website: www.b-eat.co.uk, which is an eating disorders charity.

Thank you again for your kind words of encouragement and hope.

Olivia Goodwill

Huddersfield

Stockpiles of weapons to hand

THE new green bins supplied to households to put out bottles and jars every two weeks for recycling as part of the new recycling service by Kirklees Council is a bold new initiative with all the right “green” intentions.

But imagine this scene late at night when the pubs have closed; I am putting out a green glass box full of clean bottles and jars. I’m putting them by the roadside next to the green bin as directed by the council for collection the next day.

Further up the street I hear a commotion. Coming down the road are two obviously drunk and aggressive gangs of youths. They are shouting abuse at each other. There’s a scuffle and one youth falls to the floor, he’s being punched and kicked. One group sets off running and the other group starts to chase them. Someone shouts “get them!” and they race down the street towards me.

Out of pure instinct I pull back the full glass box from the road because I fear that its contents could provide a ready arsenal of weapons or missiles to anyone looking for a fight. But it’s a waste of time because all up the street my neighbours have innocently put out stockpiles of glass ready to be collected.

The charging mob sees them. Someone shouts “get them!” and they pause briefly to pick up arms. They rush by me, baying for blood with bottles and jars in their hands.

Further down the street I hear more commotion as the two gangs confront each other. There’s a lot of swearing and aggressive threats. A fight breaks out and the sound of breaking glass. A girl screams “You’re killing him, stop it, stop it, stop it!”.

That night a young man, just 18 years old, died on my street!

Relax dear reader! This is just an imaginary scene. It hasn’t happened yet, but it so easily could.

We have to ask ourselves what are we doing putting out such readily available and potentially deadly weapons out on our streets?

Surely this is madness? It’s an accident waiting to happen or a potential disaster on a huge scale.

As the days grow warmer and lighter, when people stay out on our streets longer, surely it makes sense and good reason not to put necessary temptation in the way of anyone drunk, seeking trouble or out for revenge.

Stockpiles of potential weapons innocently put out on our streets will inevitably result in greater risk and harm to our communities. It is only a matter of time before we deeply regret such a good-intentioned but careless initiative.

Trouble lies ahead unless we stop this foolhardiness. You have been warned; it will happen!

It’s only a matter of time before it does, believe me! Please add your voice to stop this madness now.

Voice of reason

Golcar

But now what next?

LIKE failed Zimbabwean asylum seeker Patrice (Examiner, April 3) I think most folk will be glad to see the back of Robert Mugabe.

Maybe in the very near future folk like Zimbabwean asylum seekers will return to rebuild their beloved country, or will they just stick two fingers up at Africa? Very patriotic.

Mike Warren-Madden

Honley

Making allowances!

I REPLY to H M Kaye (Examiner, April 4) I do sincerely hope that someone will correct me if I’m wrong, but I think she is wrong when she states that the family allowance was 25d 51 years ago. I started receiving family allowance for my second child 56 years ago and I feel sure it was more than 25d. I may be wrong, but I think it was 8s (40p) or maybe 6s (30p). I definitely do not remember it being anywhere near 25d and I’m speaking of 56 years ago. Can someone put us right?

Mrs J M Addison

Lepton

No signs at side streets

MR G Whittaker (Mailbag April 4) if you cannot tell that the speed limit from Bay Horse roundabout to past Moorhill Road is just 30mph (without 30mph signs) then you deserve the £60 fine. As an Institute of Advanced Motorists driver for 15 years I can tell all the way up near New Hey Road that there are no 30mph signs on any side streets. This means you are on a 30mph road.

J Spindler

Oakes

Remember the Code

IN RESPONSE to Mr Whittaker of Marsh. How often do you travel up New Hey Road (living in Marsh probably plenty). And if you know the Highway Code you should know the smaller side roads off the main road would have a 30mph sign on them if the main road was above the 30mph limit. This is a sure way to know if the limit is 30mph or not. By the way, the limit changes to 40mph past the schools and just past the post office.

Ann McNae

Almondbury

Just pay up please

ARE we to feel sympathy to Gail and husband David for the £75 fine for parking in a disabled parking bay? (Examiner April 3).

I think not, Gail; you are pregnant, not disabled. These bays are clearly marked; why guess that the person who issued the ticket was watching?

He or she was doing the job they are paid to do. I would have done the same. I myself have a very clear disability, but do not have a blue badge. But if I was to park in a disabled bay, whether the attendant saw or me or not, he would have to issue me with a fine and I would have to accept it, knowing that without the badge I would be breaking the law.

My advice is pay up and shut up. It is surely a case of: “It’s a fair cop guv.”

Dori-Anne

Netherton

Carers deserve the cash

I MUST stand up in defence of home care personnel. I have had home care for a number of years and I appreciate the help I get. And they well deserve the money which has been owed to them for a number of years. It’s back pay, it’s not a bonus or a pay rise; it’s equal pay.

The jobs they have to do – clean patients, change incontinence pads etc – are much more than a lot of people would not want to do.

I say well done home care staff, who are worth every penny they receive. If it was not for this care a lot of us would be put into nursing homes. Just remember that one day some of you who have written against this pay they are getting may one day need their care themselves.

Good luck and well done home care.

ac

Linthwaite