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Friday's Letters: We must show respect to combat knife crime
FOLLOWING the life imprisonment of their son's killers, the parents of innocent knife victim 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, are now totally committed to campaigning for changes in the law (Yorkshire Post, June 17) aimed at eradicating the horror and heartbreak of knife crime, right through from the selling of knives to the sentencing of murderers, and from carrying a knife through to witness intimidation and court.
And they most certainly have the backing of every decent member of society. But what is a decent member of society?
For years now, certainly since the end of the Second World War, hasn't respect for the rules of decent and healthy living by pretty much everyone, from street level to the House of Lords, sunk about as low as it can get? Hasn't respect for the health, the safety and the well-being of ourselves and for each other, which existed in fair measure during the war, and indeed immediately after the war, pretty much disappeared? Once we had a Health Service to die for, now we have a Health Service that people are dying from because of its failings.
If Britain is ever going to eradicate the likes of knife crime, it must first aim to restore a higher degree of respect at every level of society and in all aspects of life. If a healthy body comes from a balanced diet and regular exercise, doesn't it follow that a healthy society comes from care, consideration and respect across the board?
If we want children and teenagers to respect the rules and respect one another, then surely their parents and their teachers, and indeed our rule makers, have also got to respect the rules and one another.
From: Allan Ramsay, Radcliffe Moor Road, Radcliffe.
Fight against flooding will continue
From: Mike Potter, Undercliffe, Pickering.
REGARDING your story "Anti-flood group complains of
cold shoulder from experts" (Yorkshire Post, June 3), I am a resident of Pickering, directly affected by flooding.
Through both the Pickering Civic Society and the Ryedale Flood Research Group (RFRG), I, too, have been campaigning with the aim of seeing Pickering and the many other flood- affected villages of Ryedale protected by an effective flood alleviation scheme.
I don't intend stopping until this becomes a reality. I haven't received the cold shoulder, possibly because I try to work with people, rather than against them.
It isn't true that environmental experts published a report in October. It was the RFRG, made up of eight local residents working with eight academics, a successful combination of local and scientific knowledge that gave the report enough credibility to be accepted
by the Environment Agency (EA) after some determined campaigning.
In my opinion, based on first- hand knowledge, the scheme is proceeding satisfactorily, is currently working with local knowledge – mine for a start – and will expand that use of local knowledge as and when required.
It would be well served by receiving the full support of all the local community, particularly individuals or organisations with a direct involvement in flood issues. If I feel there are any problems thrown up by unnecessary bureaucratic delays, lack of commitment or unwillingness to compromise, then you will hear about it.
City plight for sick pets
From: Janet S Walsh, Lidgett Place, Leeds.
RECENTLY, in the middle of the night, I had the sad task of taking my desperately-ill and suffering dog to be put to sleep.
After 8pm, most North Leeds vets take advantage of the emergency service provided by the Animal Hospital at Morley – but for North Leeds residents this involves a 40-minute (at least) complicated journey through the centre to the south of Leeds plus the challenge of the labyrinthine one-way-traffic system in Morley itself.
It is distressing that very sick animals should need to be exposed to the trauma of such a long journey while in a deteriorating condition and, for animals unable for one reason or another to be taken to Morley, the suffering must be extreme – verging on a form
of cruelty.
For a city the size of Leeds, it is illogical not to have the hospital sited in an area more accessible to all Leeds residents. In fact, if one looks at the map, one could argue that Leeds does not boast an animal hospital at all – with the exception of the PDSA which I understand is also closed at night.
I appreciate that there are many pressures on veterinary services but I feel that a rethink about emergency provision for animals to the north of the city centre is long overdue.
Value of history
From: Len Fincham, Warrels Road, Bramley, Leeds.
GOOD to read William Snowden's letter (Yorkshire Post, June 16) on the subject of history. The vast proportion of the last generation and their offspring know little of the meaning of "history".
Brainwashed by electronic games and hand-held toys like the mobile phone, their minds are very blinded and narrow indeed.
They do not seek to become inquisitive, taking nothing
for granted.
They seldom realise there is only the future and the past. The present doesn't really exist simply because it rapidly passes into history. Tomorrow is "future" and at the stroke of midnight today is "history".
History is not just about "was", it is the centuries of experience, knowledge, innovation, failure and success of countless past generations that have formed our culture and society. This massive gathering of "information" has been passed on to us and to our children, then to their children and so on.
Perhaps, one day this history will be taught in schools and then our children will know "Victoria" was a great British Queen a century ago, and not just a railway station in London.
Let parking carry on
From: Jean Mallender, Top Road, Calow, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
THE motorway junction near us used to have lay-bys and verges filled with cars. They were left for the day, causing no bother and little inconvenience.
The response of "the powers that be" was amazing. What, motorists trying to lessen motorway traffic, cut pollution and save fuel? Can't have that. They slapped fines on the cars and closed the lay-bys.
Instead, they could have thought that this demonstrated a need for junction related car parks – "Park and Drive Aways" and should be encouraged. All right, it won't be as simple as that, but surely it's possible.
So, where's the imaginative authority prepared to trial it? As long as the parking charge is low, or dare I suggest free, it should really take off.
Nationwide, the positive effects could be immense.
Why I understand the BNP's appeal to voters
From: GD Andrews, Leger Court, Bennetthorpe, Doncaster.
IT'S a pity that such people as Jayne Dowle don't trouble to learn more about the subject they write a column about (Yorkshire Post, June 11).
The BNP are not fascist. What they stand for is an end to the uncontrolled immigration to our country of great numbers of people, some of whom have been discovered printing forged visas for others of their ilk to enter unchallenged. Others preach hate of us and our country in the temples they have been allowed to build, while living on benefits paid by British taxpayers.
Before the bigots start screaming at my door, I am not a BNP member, although I have read their literature, as well as that of all the other political parties. I see their point of view and can understand why the majority of people who are not too idle to vote in Barnsley have voted for them.
From: John A Martin, Westfield Close, Hotham, York.
I MUST express my disgust at the offering by Jayne Dowle who asks: "So just what do we tell our children about the British National Party?"
I would suggest that before telling them anything, Miss Dowle actually makes herself aware of what the BNP want for this ailing country of ours.
Miss Dowle can also make her children aware of the real fascists in our midst. I refer to the placard-waving, egg-throwing rabble that ensured that we were not allowed to hear the two democratically elected MEPs put forward their policies.
She can also tell her children that over 40 years ago a very wise man named Enoch Powell forecast how unlimited immigration would affect jobs and housing in this country. He was supported on marches by hard-working British men and women who wanted the best for their children.
From: Martin D Stern, Hanover Gardens, Salford.
GEOFFREY Thorpe (Yorkshire Post, June 16) is not correct that Britain has two BNP MEPs, because of "a swing from Labour voters in Labour heartlands to the BNP."
In reality, the BNP polled fewer votes than in the last European elections.
What caused them to get a higher percentage of the vote, and hence seats in the European Parliament, was that large numbers of those who had previously voted for the mainstream parties were so disillusioned by the expenses scandal that they simply did not vote at all this time.
Price paid for scrapped cars
From: John Riseley, Harcourt Drive, Harrogate.
I DON'T know what percentage of the 60,000 new cars ordered so far under the Government's scrappage scheme were manufactured in the UK.
I would guess quite a small one. We could equally ask who would have repaired and maintained the 60,000 old cars to be scrapped in exchange,
had they instead been kept on the road.
The answer is small businesses employing skilled mechanics up and down the country.
Perhaps the Government is content for us to be a nation of car salesmen and credit brokers.
Get rid of the lot of them
From: Brian L Roberts, Fillingham Close, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, West Midlands.
WATCHING Question Time (June 11) reinforced my view of the contempt politicians have of the general public. Even after the mauling they received at the hands of the public, they still try to flannel us by blaming the expenses scandal and racism.
No it wasn't. It was the policies that have been followed these past 30 years.
Politicians talk of a General Election; good, bring it on, let's get rid of the whole sorry lot of them and put in people who care about the people of England.
A missing railway link
From: Graham Lund, Ambleside, Cumbria.
THE plan to reopen the former rail link between Harrogate and Ripon is generally sound and it should proceed (Yorkshire Post, June 15).
If it is too expensive to carry on to Northallerton, then why not rebuild to Thirsk? With the Wensleydale Railway developing the line into the county town, why not give Thirsk a better rail service?
The money saved could go towards a Harrogate-Wetherby rail reopening.
Side word
From: Tony Wood, Ashley Park Crescent, York.
WITH reference to the word "riggwelted', I used to live in Swaledale and the farmers there used to use this word when referring to their sheep when lying on their sides and unable to get up because their fleece was too wet and heavy.
They often used the shortened form – "rigged". This is no doubt of Scandinavian origin, as most of their dialect is in beautiful Swaledale.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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