READERS' VIEWS 9/4

09 April 2009

Wind farms are not all bad news

MOST weeks I see articles and letters in The Observer and elsewhere opposing the proposition for a wind farm at Swinford. Rarely, if ever, is there a view in favour.
What is the greatest threat facing us at present, terrorism, economic collapse or climate change?
Well, a terrorist attack, however awful, affects relatively few people. The collapse of the global economy may reduce the standard of living of people in wealthy, developed countries. Climate change and the destruction of the environment will affect all of us, though, and catastrophically.
The way things are going, our species, indeed all species, are headed for oblivion. And the root cause of the problem, apart from an excessive human population, is a global economy based on continuous growth that depends upon over-use of the Earth’s resources and leads to our profligate lifestyle in developed countries.
We have just witnessed the gathering of world leaders at the G20 conference where environmental concerns had faded to the backs of their minds. Rather than taking the opportunity to try to formulate a new economic model the politicians tried to find a way to resurrect a failed and unsustainable system.
Our leaders continue to sleepwalk the path to doom as do the protesters against the Swinford wind farm who ignore our imperative need for renewable energy sources. The protesters’ main thrust now seems to be based on the health hazards of wind turbines, although apart from some individuals’ susceptibility to low frequency noise it’s not obvious what these hazards are.
Surely they are insignificant compared to the known and proven health hazards of conventional and nuclear power plants?
One suspects the protesters’ main objection is to the visual impact. It would be interesting to hear their reaction to a proposal to install a gas-turbine powered peak-lopping station rather than wind turbines. This may still create noise (of higher frequency) and would contribute to climate change, with perhaps the occasional smell of aviation fuel, but, hey, the visual impact would be lower, both physically and metaphorically.
Oh, and of course there would be need of a fuel supply by pipeline or road tanker.
John Whitehead, Spring Close, Lutterworth

Support has been vital

THE Observer newspaper group, its chairman Chris Bullivant and editorial director Beverley Rigby have been staunch supporters of CORD, promoting our work with people affected by violent conflict.
Two Observer appeals have seen readers funding an operating theatre at Sioma Health Centre in a remote part of western Zambia, and support the women of Kitwobee in Kitgum, Northern Uganda in their honey making venture.
The Busy Bee Appeal has enabled hundreds of women to care for their children and the orphans of Africa’s longest civil war. Thanks to the Observer group and its readers across the Midlands, the enterprise is flourishing, and the quality of the honey has reached prize winning standard.
CORD is proud to be associated with one of Britain’s last independent newspaper groups. We trust that its current financial difficulties will be speedily overcome and that its campaigning ethos continues unabated.
Richard Dickson, Head of Supporter Relations, CORD, Leamington Spa

Fed up with the excuses

WHAT a right debacle this new Western Relief Road is becoming and what pathetic reasons are being given out for the delay - Observer last week.
Carillon is a multi-national company with over 40,000 employees. Where are they all?
On April 1, 1958 John Laing and Son Limited (a family firm) signed a contract to build the M1. They did not have the sophisticated instruments available today, the machinery they had to use has long since been sent to engineering museums and yet they and their sub-contractors managed to build 55 miles of the M1 with six lanes plus the hard shoulders including 130 bridges. They had problems with the weather, flood plains, unstable ground, railways and rivers to cross and yet they completed this contract within two years.
As for Carillon they can't manage a simple single carriageway road of four miles long without ridiculous excuses and delays. Should there have been a penalty clause in this contract? Is there? Another 12 months of these lorries going up Lawford Road and the whole of the road will have to be rebuilt. Who is going to pay for this?
Perhaps they could borrow a few men from the Asda site, they seem to be on time with their contract.
Keith Judge, Chapel Street, Long Lawford

Service was excellent

I MUST acknowledge the quality of merchandise and service at all the small local shops I regularly support, but the Mill Outlet shops on Southam Road and Albert Street deserve special mention.
Facing an operation and knowing I would be immobile for a while, I bought enough speciality wool to knit a new jacket. Sadly I was one ball short and knew I had bought all the stock at Albert Street, who confirmed my fear when I rang them but double checked all their shelves anyway, suggesting Southam Road may still have some left.
Indeed they did and on finding out I was unable to drive at present offered to deliver it for me, free of charge.
That's what I call service and certainly guarantees them my future support.
Vicky Flavell, Cherwell Way, Rugby

Speeding is not the problem

NOT content with lowering many of the speed limits in Warwickshire to a speed where it often seems like it would be quicker to walk, Warwickshire County Council is now going to hide all their cameras.
You have to wonder just how desperate they are for money, I mean they already managed a 16 fold increase in speeding fines between 1997 and 2006, and many of the new lower speed limits were objected to by the police.
Surely this speed paranoia can’t be helping road safety when the government's own research in September 2006 discovered the proportion of injury crashes involving any speeding vehicle nationally was less than five per cent.
Kevin Fox, Kirkby Close, Rugby

Change in policy isn't acceptable

I LIVE in the eastern area of Warwickshire. I was happy with, and did not object to, the original proposed change of admissions policy to the grammar schools for September 2010 which gave priority to those living in the eastern area as I pay my Council Tax here (a hefty sum) and I want my children to have the best opportunity to be educated in the best way possible for them.
I was not told there would be an alternative proposal (no-one was I don't think) to give only 50 per cent of places to those in the eastern area and I was not give the opportunity to consider this alternative in any consultation exercise. This new proposal was not made public(ish) until Friday, March 27 and it was met upon and decided last Thursday, four working days later, by Warwickshire Council (WCC). There was no consultation. They decided what was best for us, and our children, without allowing us to air our views.
Parents in Rugby and elsewhere who are adversely affected by this compromise were kept in the dark. We were denied the opportunity to object to this compromise. Just as the Northamptonshire parents have their Choices for Children group and have lobbied very effectively on this matter, we should also have our choices and views listened too. But we were denied this.
Northamptonshire parents have objected about a lack of consultation. At least they had an opportunity to see what the proposals were as they were on the WCC and Rugby Girls' High website (although not Lawrence Sheriff as far as I could tell which I find rather surprising). They also had a lot more than four days to comment, and be ignored, as I have found. I only found out by luck about this new proposal before I had it confirmed in your newspaper.
We are, after all, the people these schools are meant to be serving, not those living in Northamptonshire who do not pay towards their upkeep. We were ambushed. Neither the WCC website nor the schools' websites advised anyone of this alternative proposal. Aside from the legality of the failure to consult us on the secretive alternative proposal, it's just blatantly unfair to have sneaked this in the back door.
I feel very unhappy about the change of admissions policy, it means those living in Rugby and roundabouts are now less likely to get a place. I think that is blatantly unfair. Even underhand. I would not feel like this had we all been given the opportunity to consider both proposals.
I do not consider this compromise to be in the best interests of parents and children in the eastern area although of course it will make it more likely for the schools to keep their places in the league tables. I didn't realise keeping high up in the league tables was their main purpose; I thought it was to give the best education to our eastern area children.
Name and address supplied

A big loss

I WAS very sad to discover that Tom Brown's Tea Shop has closed, Rugby will never seem the same again
In the 30 years I have lived in the area I have been a regular visitor and felt at home. There was always a friendly smile and a chat - you belonged and felt most comfortable.
Tom Brown's - its very name encapsulates the image of Rugby for me
I know I am not alone in feeling bereft at its closure. Over the years many, many people must have felt so much cheerier for having visited Tom Brown's. I haven't even mentioned the delicious food that was served. My husband can't believe he will never eat another Dr Arnold - many of the desserts were named after characters in Thomas Hughes' book.
I want to thank Angela, her family and employees for the pleasure they have given to their customers over the years - we will all miss you very much.
Jenny Sinfield, Church Road, Church Lawford

Weed out the yobs

ON WEDNESDAY last week I went to Caldecott Park to see how the alterations were coming along.
I think it is going to be beautiful when everything is finished. The only problem is the usual one - yobs! There were teenagers who had obviously just come out of school all over the swings etc. What made my blood boil was that a boy and girl walking ahead of me walked straight over the newly planted garden even trampling on the plants, not caring a jot.
Further down I saw two teenage boys having a scuffle, one of them holding a plastic bottle. Needless to say he just tossed it onto the grass.
On my may up North Street I saw a Community Police Officer (who was already apprehending another teenager who had thrown a sweet at him) so I told him about the problems I had just seen in the park. He told me to ring the council and also tell the Rangers.
I spoke to a Ranger on Tuesday and she told me that they do patrol the park, but the problems they encounter are dreadful. She also told me to write to the council which I have done.
Friends of mine also visited the park last Sunday and experienced the same loutish behaviour with the addition of cycles being ridden all over the grass.
I believe this sort of behaviour starts mainly in the home and they have never been taught to respect property. This has to be taught from a young age.
Why should everything be spoilt for everyone else because of these yobs? It seems there has to be more patrols in the park, especially in holiday times. Unfortunately most people are afraid to apprehend them fearing the consequences. How I longed to say something last Wednesday.
Mrs P Brayson, Cymbeline Way, Rugby

Confusing regulations

I WOULD like to respond to the query from Stewart House in The Observer last week.
As a senior citizen with a bus pass I am entitled to travel free on any local bus service in England, subject to the times and conditions issued by each authority, i.e. some allow free travel after 9am others after 9.30am, however should I wish to take a holiday in Wales or Scotland I would not be entitled to use my free bus pass on the local bus services there, so it works both ways.
As we are a United Kingdom I am as puzzled by the rules and regulations as he is.
Sheila Steane, Lawford Lane, Bilton

Support is welcome

DUNCHURCH Band would like to thank all those who gave so generously when we were carolling at Sainsbury’s on December 23 and 24.
Half the money collected is to be donated to Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and the balance used to help with costs of running the band so we can continue to help raise money for good causes.
Wishing everyone a happy 2009.
Christine O’Rourke, General Secretary, Dunchurch Band

Please no more delays

IT SEEMS that the new ASDA store is on schedule for its June opening. The thing is, what do those initials stand for?
A Special Day Alleluia? After all its been a long time coming. Will it be an All Singing All Dancing Amenity or A Splendid Delightful Area?
Let’s hope it doesn’t stand for any delays Around September During Autumn. Let’s be positive, so why not just for the time being call it ASAP.
Bernard Oldham, Firs Drive, Rugby

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