Archbishop 
is meddling 
in politics

I WAS told by my peers never to discuss religion and politics in public places as these subjects are toxic to say the least.

What a pity that the Archbishop of Canterbury was not taught the same ethic. To suggest that the Government feed the supposed hungry in this country is meddling in politics and he should confine himself to basic Christian beliefs.

He just has to study the receipts of the retail trade received on the so-called “Black Friday” to show where people’s true priorities lie. My bet is that very little was spent on basic food products.

I have met some very caring clerics, who while not forgetting their pastoral duties are prepared to go out from their cloistered surroundings and give moral support to the elderly, the bereaved and help genuine people who find the modern pace of life bewildering. Hard cash and handouts are not the answer.

Train of thought

From: Colin Foster, Scalby Beck Road, Scarborough.

REGARDING recent correspondence decrying the use of the term “train station” (The Yorkshire Post, December 6), whatever the origin, it is probably here to stay in common usage.

It is much favoured by the media because, I think, train is a shorter word than railway and does not need so much space in newspaper headlines. It is also easier for newsreaders to pronounce and facilitates their delivery in broadcasting.

I’m afraid the old fuddy-duddies will just have to get used to it as part of our ever-changing language. Just as the wireless has been replaced by the radio, prams have become “buggies” and everyone is now referred to as “guys”.

From: Wilfrid Ford, Springfield Park, Mirfield.

I NOTICE that some of your correspondents are foaming at the mouth it seems whenever we say “train station”. I say train station and consider it to be appropriate. When we want a bus we go to the “bus station”, if I want a train I go the “train station”. I don’t want a railway so I don’t go to the “railway station”.

I see also they use the easy way out and blame it on the USA.

Myths over Rights act

From: Kim Harrison, Human Rights Lawyer, Slater & Gordon, Balm Green, Sheffield.

WITH Human Rights Day upon us today, now is a good time to reflect on the basic rights and freedoms everyone deserves whether they are in Leeds or Lagos.

The myth-making around human rights has grown – and it threatens to erode those vital protections for all of us.

With a growing anti-EU sentiment and Conservative plans to scrap the Human Rights Act, now is the time for parliament to think long and hard about the implications 
of promises made pre-election.

And we must never 
forget where the backbone 
of modern human rights 
evolved.

It was in the immediate shadows of the atrocities of the Second World War.

We use human rights legislation to protect society’s most vulnerable including children, victims of sexual assault, the disabled, the 
elderly and even our soldiers returning from war zones.

Some might believe 
scrapping the Act would 
mean wresting powers back 
to Britain.

They would be wrong. The Act expressly preserves parliamentary sovereignty.

The Human Rights Act is not perfect – legislation rarely is.

But it has made a positive impact on many people’s lives.

Use your head to stay warm

From: S Harrison, Wetherby.

RECENTLY, I crossed the Pennines and noticed a phenomenon when I arrived – the majority of shoppers in the smart town did not wear hats of any kind. Although when I left Yorkshire it had been so cold that I had to wear one, being in the North West, the temperature was warmer and no one felt they needed to wear a hat.

I have always been told about the heat loss from the head, and certainly when I wear a hat, I feel warmer and do not need to switch on the heating.

I was brought up in a rural community, with sound common sense. I even have hot water bottles during the day. When I inherited seven from my old home, I was overjoyed. This winter, I have used three hot water bottles at once so far, and know I have four to go.

Is this learned behaviour? In years gone by, we had thick, ice on the window panes, and a single paraffin stove.

On a very serious note, hypothermia is a reality to us as we grow older. So we remember the lessons of yesterday.

Messenger memory

From: Mr M Scott, Hipperholme, Halifax.

In the Christian calendar, the second Sunday in Advent is associated with John the Baptist. He is often called the Messenger.

As a Methodist local preacher, I am writing a sermon about him.

Does my memory play me false that in its earliest days, your famous title included the words “the messenger”?