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Clegg's power plans seem to run out of steam
From: David T Craggs, Tunstall, East Yorkshire.
I ALWAYS find it worrying to read articles written by politicians who have decided to become all idealistic about an immensely important subject ("Green energy future in our declaration of independence" by Nick Clegg, Yorkshire Post, August 22).
His whole article gives the impression that he doesn't really understand what is going to be involved in order to make this country energy secure. He seems to believe that a few wind turbines and a bit of energy saving in our homes will solve all our problems. They definitely will not. He makes several references to getting rid of our "old technologies", obviously referring to coal and nuclear, although he may be also including power generation by gas.
I suggest he should tell the Chinese that all their new coal-fired power stations are using "old technology", and the French, who produce about 80 per cent of their power in nuclear power stations. They announced last year that they are building a new one, to be opened in 2012, just five years from start to finish (in this country it would take twice as long).
I wonder if Mr Clegg has bothered to sit down and do his maths? To replace the power supplied by three of our local power stations – Ferrybridge, Eggborough and Drax, all using the so-called old technology – would require about 2,200 wind turbines, and that would assume that they were rotating most of the time.
As we know in this area only too well, during the winter months we often get intensely cold, still, frosty nights with clear skies, followed by cold, cloudless days with no wind. Where would our power come from during those periods?
Probably from the nuclear power stations across the Channel.
From: Brian Hardy, All Hallowes Drive, Tickhill.
AS a pensioner, I felt nothing but disgust after reading that Nick Clegg was reduced to shopping at Sainsbury's and being "mortgaged up to the gills" as he put it (Yorkshire Post, August 25).
The glib bleating of feather-bedded, tax-funded politicians pretending to know what it's like to suffer financial hardship is hypocrisy of the very worst kind.
Nothing demonstrates more the gigantic gulf that exists between the political class of this country and the hard-pressed public.
Reaching out to help pupils with dyspraxia
From: Mrs Hazel Carr, Victoria Square, Holmfirth, Huddersfield.
may I please say thank you so much for the article by Catherine Scott (Yorkshire Post, August 27) on Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe admitting that he suffers from dyspraxia.
Within hours, I had emails from parents asking for help. Dyspraxia is such a hidden difficulty and even though the article highlighted clumsiness and handwriting, it was the learning/behaviour difficulties which caused low self-esteem and social integration in children which was more of a problem.
As a teaching assistant, and someone who has written a book, I would have loved to have said even more, as we are making such a difference in our school. At least we know our children in our school are safe now and, thanks to your article, I may be able to reach out to many more.
You are only a child for a few years; it is up to us to get it right.
Tories jump in with both feet attacking NHS
From: Charles Rushton, Pasture Close, Strensall, York.
YOUR leader (Yorkshire Post, August 21) should be taken on board by all those politicos of whatever ilk, who never seem to rise above the level of the junior playground. Yah Boo Sucks all round and to hell with the people of Britain.
In the current instance, the Tories have such a lead in most polls that they don't need to resort to such petty tricks as their two latest wheezes, both concerning the NHS. Labour are doing a wonderful job of alienating the electorate all on their own. Let's face it, they are specialists at it. No need to concoct silly stories and false concerns.
The very latest table of missed appointments is so badly distorted that a child of 10 would make a better job of it. Does anyone seriously believe that the huge city of Leeds has only some 15 per cent of missed NHS appointments compared with here in York?
Too obviously the statistical bases are different thus rendering the whole exercise futile, probably deliberately, but our Andrew Lansley jumps in again with both size 12s. David Cameron should get
rid of him before he does serious damage.
As to the pertinent letter on the same page from yet another political hack, one Coun Sandy Fraser from here in York, methinks he waxes a touch too indignant.
Our hospitals at the sharp end, by and large, do a good job but no thanks to top heavy super managers on six-figure salaries, or the Government interference which denies finance to some while smiling on their chosen ones.
From: Norman Elliott, South Cave.
WHILE recognising that the NHS in many instances carries out prompt and effective work, there are still considerable delays in treatment.
An elderly neighbour, battling bravely to be independent (and at less cost to the nation), has, this week been advised that a knee brace would be an advantage.
Guess what? She was told it will be ready in six months – even longer than getting a plumber, electrician or car repair.Why I am glad about wet summer
From: Judith Bond, Gladstone Road, Rawdon, Leeds.
THERE is only one reason I am glad summer this year has been a washout; that is I haven't had to witness many dogs boiling alive in hot cars.
Has anyone noticed that you rarely see dogs in cars in the winter? Do the owners leave them at home because it is cold? The mind boggles.
Whenever we have witnessed this cruelty, my husband and I have confronted the owner whenever possible. A myriad of pathetic excuses follows about how the window was open, or the owner didn't leave for long. I have sat in my car with the window open and sweltered. Yet, these so-called caring, responsible dog owners think a dog with a fur coat on is happy to sit there waiting with the sun burning through glass.
The RSPCA states that it takes only 20 minutes for a dog to die in a relatively warm car. Water doesn't help. Opening windows does no good. These "caring, responsible" owners don't even bother to look up the facts and leave their dogs to cook.
It is now an offence to put an animal in any position where it may suffer. I hope these people get prosecuted and banned for life. Although I would certainly make them sit in the car with a fur coat on and see how they like it.
They give animal lovers a bad name.
Uneconomic service
From: Don Burslam, Elm Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury.
THE controversy over closure of the post offices seems to have plenty of legs.
Much as we all cherish the Agatha Christie-type little village, we are now an increasingly urban society. This process has already been underway for many years going right back to Dr Beeching's assault on the railways.
It is increasingly uneconomic to maintain services for small rural communities. I believe the Government has been subsidising post offices to the tune of 150m a year. This, of course, is paid for by you, me, the villagers and even the writers of letters to you. Even after the cuts, the state will continue to prop up hundreds of offices.
After 36 years our future is bound up with Europe and even the Conservatives, apart from a few diehards, recognise this.
Sons are sought
From: Tony Eaton, Turker Lane, Northallerton.
I AM trying to contact the two sons of the late Arthur Ellis,
the football referee and TV personality.
Arthur served with the RAF in the Second World War as a physical training instructor and was based at RAF Snaith, near Goole, the home of 51 Bomber Squadron.
The 51 Squadron Association has a magnificent memorial garden at the old airfield where former members and friends meet each April for a service of remembrance. In the garden there are plaques to the men who flew and were lost, but equally there are plaques to those who survived but
have passed on, including ground crew.
It is being proposed that the association erect a memorial plaque to Arthur Ellis. We are hoping that his sons might be interested in taking part in the ceremony when the plaque will be dedicated
in the garden. I can be contacted via email at tony@songbird123.plus.com
Traffic problems
From: RA Shingler, Southway, Horsforth, Leeds.
I AGREE with Paul Whitaker's traffic shambles letter (Yorkshire Post, August 25). A typical example of road improvements was the movement of traffic lights at the fish and chip shop junction on the main A58 Harrogate-Bradford road, near Leeds Bradford Airport.
In moving the traffic lights, they narrowed the road. Consequently any van or
large vehicle turning right to Yeadon blocks the road as
no vehicle can pass on the inside lane.
This creates a build-up of traffic stretching back to the two-lane underpass from the airport all burning expensive fuel. All that was required was to make the inside lane a metre wider to ease the traffic flow.
The new improvements look good and work well for pedestrians. It just required a little more thought in the planning and vehicle users would have been happier.
This is not the best advertisement for visitors to the expanding Leeds Bradford Airport and the smell of fish and chips with a mixture of diesel petrol fumes is not aromatically pleasing.
New course on flooding
From: Arthur Quarmby, Holme, Holmfirth.
WHEN I was at school in the East Riding we were told about the Yorkshire Derwent, which rises in the North York Moors and, at one time, flowed pretty directly into the sea between Scarborough and Filey.
However, melting ice sheets left a glacial moraine which blocked this route and so the river went wandering off right around the Wolds, through Malton and Stamford Bridge, eventually to join the Ouse near Goole.
Now this schooldays' memory goes back many, many years and perhaps it was wrong or I have misremembered, but if not
then I would have thought that some consideration might have been given to cutting through that moraine and restoring the river to its original course – which might make some contribution to the relief of flooding downstream?
And what of Brid?
From: Malcolm Middleton, Fir Avenue, Dewsbury.
I REFER to your extensive article concerning the flood of visitors to the East Coast over the bank holiday weekend and how long queues built up on the A64 and other routes to the coast as holidaymakers thronged Whitby, Scarborough and Filey (Yorkshire Post, August 26).
Was Bridlington closed for the weekend? For some time I have been concerned that Bridlington hardly gets a mention when something good has occurred. How nice it would be if reports of the bickerings of the marina saga and the financial problems of the controversial Big Wheel were replaced with giving details of the refurbished Spa Theatre complex, excellent town centre pedestrianisation and perhaps a photograph of the magnificent sweeping South Bay beach in your weekly back page feature.
The East Coast of Yorkshire has something for everyone and each resort has attractions to suit the diverse requirements of its visitors.
Transfer to own home
From: W Ruddlesdin, Upper Hoyland Road, Hoyland, Barnsley.
THE best treatment for the Somali asylum seeker (Yorkshire Post, August 26) would be the immediate transfer back to his own country.
When in various cases medical treatment is denied to our own hard working people either by postcode lottery or considered NHS expense, this scenario beggars belief.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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