New cold war shows why we
need fracking

WHEN, and not if, the Russians turn off the gas supply to the Ukraine and consequently to much of Western Europe, it is inevitable that the price of gas to our consumers will increase dramatically to previously untold levels.

The resulting chaos will be catastrophic for much of the EU, including Great Britain, and will bring hardship on the most vulnerable members of our society.

That being the case, I hope that the Government of the UK will now press ahead with urgency and allow and encourage the oil and gas industry to start large scale fracking immediately here in the UK, so that we, at least, will no longer be reliant on unstable foreign governments, whose tyrannical behaviour is legendary, for our heating and lighting.

Perhaps the eco warriors, who are violently opposing fracking operations here in the UK need to beg Mr Putin not to switch off our gas supplies, although to be honest I don’t think the Russian leader will take the slightest notice.

Let the fracking commence, as soon as possible.

From: Paul Iwanyckyj, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

I WAS born in Yorkshire, to a Ukrainian father, and have visited Ukraine many times. I have always been struck by the over-riding sense of commonality with a well-educated, hard-working and good humored nation.

It is one that places high values on the family and morality, and that has had to develop practicality and pragmatism to a high degree in order to overcome the various challenges presented by decades, if not centuries, of occupation. This is the over-whelming, everyday majority one finds at the heart of most civilised populations, and Ukraine is no exception.

As a result it breaks my heart, to see Russia treating Ukraine, and effectively Europe, as his playground in which to do as he wishes. My only hope is that the US and EU stop these woolly threats that are water off a bear’s back, and come up with some tangible actions, that will really mean something for the people of Ukraine.

Fighting for a payout too far

From: JW Buckley, Throstle Cottage, Aketon, Pontefract.

CAMPAIGNERS for compensation following Hillsborough seek a change in the law.

They want to see any person, suffering psychiatric harm, as a result of seeing death or injury, caused by negligence, to be entitled to compensation.

Our law givers (MPs in Parliament) need to think this through. Football is a highly charged event, more like a gladiatorial contest than a friendly kick-about.

In this sort of atmosphere, mistakes will be made, and these mistakes may be negligent.

The easiest thing to do is to protect people by restricting what they see. Why stop at football? What of distressing events seen on TV, or in newspapers. Find a scapegoat, and bingo! Compensation culture has gone too far, and needs restricting – not extending.

Ivy not only
rural threat

From: Matthew Shaw, Golcar, Huddersfield.

IN her letter “Ivy strangling the countryside” (The Yorkshire Post, March 4), Pat Byass was rightly concerned about the proliferation of ivy. Unfortunately there are many invasive species which, left unchallenged, will create their own monocultures.

Some Pennine slopes, once carpeted with bilberry, heather and wild raspberry, have fallen victim to the suffocating canopy of bracken.

The decline of roaming cattle (hoofs disturb root systems) and the banning of effective herbicide chemicals means controlling this species is difficult.

Families must
care for gran

From: H Marjorie Gill, Clarence Drive, Menston,

WITH reference to the headline about the care crisis (The Yorkshire Post, March 6). when I was younger, there were no such persons as carers.

There was the district nurse, of course, but families looked after their own.

When Grandad died and Granny couldn’t cope on her own, she automatically came to live with one of her children. If there wasn’t a spare bedroom, then she shared with the grandchildren.

Alternatively, neighbours 
took turns in looking after frail, elderly people, doing their shopping and making sure they were coping.

Why is it that people nowadays feel it is their right to get the taxpayer to fund what should be their duty if not their pleasure?

No need to look further

From: Ron Jevons, Muncastergate, York.

I AM a regular viewer of Look North and wonder if I am alone in thinking that Charlotte Leeming is by far the best female presenter on the programme?

Why did the management of the programme see fit to look outside their own territory to find a replacement for Christa Ackroyd when Charlotte more than adequately fills the gap?