WHILE riding my cycle on Sunday, March 22, near Nont Sarah’s, I was hit by a passing car overtaking too close to me.

I was hit again last Sunday, March 29 the car was from a school of motoring, with a lady driver. Both incidents happened just after lunch.

On both occasions they did not even stop to see if I was injured or not.

If the drivers read this letter, I want them to know that in future I shall be using a cyclist camera and I would urge other cyclists to do the same.

In conclusion, it is fair to say, most drivers are very considerate and we want them to know we appreciate the care they take when overtaking us.

Mick C

Lindley

Political arrogance

THE letter from Cath Ingham (April 1) regarding the selection of the prospective Labour Candidate from a women-only shortlist suggesting it is none of our business who the Party selects only confirms the total arrogance and disregard for the people they purport to represent, which is endemic in politics at both national and local level.

George Howling

Mirfield

Sort out troublemakers

MRS Wallace, headteacher of Crow Lane Junior and Infant School, should not have removed toilet rolls from the school toilets without advising parents.

As much as the school would like to make out this is a temporary measure and has only just happened, by sending a letter home to parents on Thursday, March 26, after complaints from some parents, there has been no toilet paper in toilets since before February half term (unknown to most parents).

The school says no-one has reported distress and embarrassment and parents support their actions.

Well, I and many other parents do not support them and feel that unfairly all children are been tarnished with the same brush when actually the problems are being caused by a minority.

It is high time Crow Lane punished or removed the problem and disruptive children from its school instead of taking in more and let our children who want to have nice a school and good education have one.

Concerned Parent

(name and address supplied)

Birdie Song for anthem

I CAN’T agree more with B Clarke’s letter in which he asks why England has no national anthem.

As a card-carrying atheist and wanting to see the back of the monarchy and all its parasites but still fiercely patriotic, God Save The Queen has no meaning whatsoever to me.

In fact, I find it toe-curlingly embarrassing every time we have to listen to that sombre dirge.

What we need is an upbeat song with easy lyrics with hand signs for the deaf and hard of hearing and maybe an accompanying dance.

So can I put forwards the Birdie Song as the national anthem? I’m sure Twickenham and other such venues would come alive to da-da-da-da-da-da-da ...

M Clarke

Lockwood

Who is the victim?

QUESTION 1: Which makes the most mess and is the most difficult (or impossible) to remove – a discarded cigarette end or a dollop of chewing gum?

Question 2: Which culprits never seem to be caught – the smokers or the gum-chewers and gum-chuckers?

While I would never condone the habit of throwing cigarette butts on to the ground, I do feel that the council’s outrage and subsequent fine meted out to the unthinking motorist have been much too harsh and over-zealous.

I see that Mr Hallas’s fine includes that ubiquitous ‘£15 victim surcharge.’ I can never figure out the relevance of this in most of the cases cited in your Court in Brief columns.

May I suggest that, in this case, the ‘victim’ is Mr Hallas himself?

Elsie Eva

Lepton

Magic of Countdown

IN reply to your comments on Countdown (Examiner March 25) I am very surprised the viewing audience has slumped.

I for one enjoy the programme very much and think the show has a “new magic.”

Rachel Riley is a beautiful and intelligent young woman and along with Jeff Stelling and Susie Dent plus a guest in dictionary corner, they make up a very good team.

May it long continue.

Joan Sierant

Huddersfield

Does sex matter?

SO Labour’s method of choosing their new Colne Valley MP is now by gender.

I was under the impression that you selected the best person for the job no matter their sex or persuasion?

This just shows how far we have come under this political correct Blair/Brown muppet government. Personally I don't think they got their last selection right.

R J Bray

Shelley

A call for justice

IT IS time the government, the judiciary and the police got their heads together with a view to properly criminalising the very dangerous practice of making or receiving texts or mobile calls while driving.

I am not an advocate of overly draconian measures for minor offences, but using a mobile whilst in control of a vehicle shows a complete disregard of the grave dangers to other road users and pedestrians.

This is not a minor offence, but is tantamount to dangerous driving and should result in something like a £500 fine and a three month driving ban for even a first offence.

The current derisory fixed penalty fine of £60 is no deterrent as can be witnessed every day from the sheer number of people flagrantly ignoring the law in this respect.

However what chance have we got when the likes of Lord Ahmed view the practice as perfectly acceptable?

He doesn’t even get seriously punished when he is caught out texting while driving at 70mph.

I realise he was not texting at the exact time Martyn Chambers was killed, but to only serve 16 days of a 12-week sentence behind bars sends out a wrong message, particularly when it is reported that he has shown no remorse for his actions.

You or I would probably have had to serve at least six weeks of the sentence, and I don’t think the prison paperwork would have been fast-tracked for our release as it apparently was for his. Cronyism or what?

Mr Grumpy

Almondbury

Long-running complaint

I AM now totally convinced that our judiciary has lost all credibility.

The Court of Appeal has just overturned a compensation appeal awarded to a runner who was knocked down by a Great Dane dog while running in a park, having an ankle broken in the incident.

The judge said “it was reasonable to walk a dog off the lead in a quiet place.”

What if it had been a small child?

Two days ago whilerunning through the wood I met a couple with a medium-sized dog which immediately bounded towards me and proceeded to jump up.

The owner informed me: “It won’t harm you, it’s because you are running.” Excuse me, madam, but that’s what runners do!

Today I was attacked by a “harmless terrier” which was snapping at my ankles. Following the judges’ decision will dog owners think leads are no longer required?

If I had £5 for every dog incident I’ve experienced in more than 50 years of running I would have a pension pot to rival Sir Fred’s.

Grumpy Runner

Honley

Road gloom looms

AS the dreaded April 13 nears and the prospect of 13 weeks’ doom on Halifax Road becomes a reality, here’s a message to the powers to be.

Can they assure us that all penalty clauses have been agreed, that the contractor will not go into administration, that all supplies have been ordered (local sources hopefully) and that the delivery dates are accurate and that everyone knows what they are doing?

Finally that all the workmen have already passed their courses :-

1. In placing out at least 1,000 more cones than are required

2. In knowing how to lean on shovels

3. In peering intently with an amazed look on their faces into holes

4. On sitting in vehicles reading newspapers.

If they have, then they will not have to do it for the next 13 weeks and we may see the luxury of some work being done.

Then the postscript to the warning notice “Delays may be expected” will not turn into “Delays will be experienced”.

Willie Witter

(Name and address supplied)