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Good ideas, but no cash

THE report “Why you should vote for us”, Swindon Advertiser, May 3, gave political representatives a chance to explain why we should vote for their candidates at the local elections.

I was interested to see the response from David Renard, Conservative leader.

One of his statements was: “We are already starting to deliver our vision by improving roads and securing other construction.”

Councillors are good at making pre-election promises via leaflets and/or when canvassing.

Once the elections are over these promises are often forgotten until the next election is due.

Perhaps Coun Renard can explain why, for years, his “vision” has continued to hit a blind spot when it comes to road safety and traffic control on Wharf Road, Wroughton?

Several years ago Swindon Borough Council created a school safety zone outside the Wroughton infants' school.

School safety zones are supposed to combine education, engineering and enforcement.

However, this so called “safety zone” continues to fail on all three of these objectives.

Drivers continue to park within this “safety zone” at peak times i.e, drop-off and pick-up times.

Some of the drivers who park on yellow lines are regulars, so any attempt to “educate” them has obviously failed.

They know they can park there with impunity because “enforcement” to prevent them from doing so is almost non-existent.

The “engineering” is pathetic because it not only allows but encourages parking within the “safety zone”.

Perhaps Coun Renard could inform us how many officers and consultants are involved with roads and transport in Swindon?

There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of people to carry out site visits and respond to correspondence. The problem is, they never have any money available to do anything.

As a suggestion, wouldn’t it be better to just produce a standard letter and/or an answerphone for public inquiries?

The message could read, “sorry we don’t have the money to do anything so don’t bother asking”.

The salaries saved from impotent posts could then be directed into something useful.

Swindon Borough Council may claim to have “visionaries” but it lacks the ability to put basic principles into practice.

K KANE

Wharf Road, Wroughton

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Diabetics' feet warning

SPRING has arrived and it is the time when many of us are working in the garden or taking part in outdoor activities after a fairly inactive winter. This may mean that people wear different shoes or boots.

It is particularly important that people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes look after their feet to avoid damaging them.

Unfortunately, people with diabetes can have damage to the nerves in the feet which means they cannot always feel pain or soreness, for instance when shoes rub.

This can increase the risk of infection which, if not treated properly, can increase the risk of amputations.

If the feet are correctly looked after, up to 80 per cent of amputations are avoidable.

The InDependent Diabetes Trust has a booklet for people with diabetes giving advice about looking after the feet and we are happy to send a copy to your readers.

They can contact us on 01604 622837 or email jenny@iddtinternational.org or write to InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT), PO Box 294, Northampton NN1 4XS.

JENNY HIRST

InDependent Diabetes Trust [IDDT]

PO Box 294, Northampton, NN1 4XS

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Leave the EU – and TTIP

IN RESPONSE to A Hegenbarth’s letter on April 30, which says “the argument that turning our backs on Europe” – I think he means the EU – “is the only way to save the NHS is ridiculous”.

But in the light of the secret talks between the US and the EU regarding TTIP, not so ridiculous.

Yes, I believe that the NHS’s days in its present state may be numbered but better the UK makes that decision, at the appropriate time, rather than ad hoc arrangements are foisted on the UK by the unelected bureaucrats in Brussels, at the behest of the US.

Unfortunately, AH’s argument goes from bad to worse when opinion is used as fact, viz: “The economic shock of leaving Europe” – oops, same mistake, I’m sure he means EU – “would seriously reduce the overall funding available...”

Apparently that is only half the story. “Being a part of the EU gives us unmatched access to the free movement of highly qualified doctors, nurses and health professionals.”

Mr Hegenbarth, don’t worry, they will still come but the UK will be in a position to decide who to let in to this country and who to turn away.

Voting “leave” on June 23 is not throwing anything out, it is regaining our full sovereignty, allowing this country to move forward rather than being restrained by the dead hand of the EU.

Incidentally, if you are not familiar with TTIP and have internet access search “What is TTIP?"

And check out, “six reasons why the answer should scare you”, in the Independent, October 6, 2015. If not, phone a friend.

HENRY SMITH

Peatmoor, Swindon

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Never had a big holiday

RE BARRIE Hudson’s column ( Adver: 3/5/16 "Common sense in court over holidays", May 3).

"You might be remembering how things were when you were a kid, and there was nothing unusual about being taken from class for a week or two to go on the family’s holiday," writes Barrie Hudson.

Growing up in the south Wales mining valleys the only “holiday” we ever received was the chapel’s annual seaside day trip – either to Barry Island or Porthcawl (the latter considered posh).

This would have been the only “holiday” most of us children, indeed if not all, would have had.

The chapels would also supply us with some spending money, as well as food.

Without the generosity of the chapel, there most certainly would have been no annual day trip.

Pulled out of class to go on holiday for a week or two? Never happened.

What we never had I suppose we never missed.

But then, as Oscar Wilde so rightly said, "the tragedy of the poor is that they can afford nothing but self denial".

JEFF ADAMS

Bloomsbury, Swindon

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Scapegoating migrants

BILL Williams' opening paragraphs in his letter (Questionable Priorities) April 30 shows compassion to those who find themselves homeless but, as usual, Bill descends into another rant of “blame the immigrants”.

Yet again he blames the housing shortage on migrants, and yet again he fails to look at the bigger picture of the housing shortage.

There are many factors, Bill, why there is a housing crisis, do some research then you will discover the facts as to why there are an estimated 3,000 people sleeping on the streets of Britain each night.

While Bill continues to blame migrants for all that is wrong in society, the real culprits, the politicians, are let off the hook.

MARTIN WEBB

Swindon Road, Old Town, Swindon

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Help action on arthritis

IF YOU looked at me you probably wouldn’t guess that I live with excruciating pain every day. I have an invisible condition, arthritis, and I’ve had this for over 30 years.

This disease is often dismissed as minor aches and pains.

However, my condition affects every aspect of my life and stops me from being spontaneous.

Over the years I’ve had support from the charity Arthritis Research UK, which has been a lifeline for me.

You might not have heard of the charity before, but they understand all 10 million of us living with daily pain.

I am one of many who has benefited directly from their research. I took part in a hand trial based at the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre. The trial recruited 257 people like myself, with hand osteoarthritis, to test the effectiveness of joint protection and exercises.

It made an incredible difference to my everyday life, inspiring me to manage my condition and remain active.

I’ve lived with my condition for a long time, but arthritis doesn’t stand still and although I’m managing my pain now, I’m worried about what the future may hold.

The charity recognises that, while they are experts in research, they’re never going to know what it’s like to live with this condition on a daily basis, which is why they want our help.

Despite all the breakthroughs the charity has had we still need better treatments, quicker diagnosis and a cure.

Arthritis Research UK cannot do this alone, they need us, the people living with the condition, to join them to make a difference.

During April and May, Arthritis Research UK’s Be The Difference campaign gives us all rare access to arthritis experts – researchers and other people living with arthritis.

This is a unique opportunity to hear them talking about how to stop joint pain now and in the future.

To take part in the campaign go to www.arthritisresearchuk.org/bethedifference.

CHRISTINE WALKER

Arthritis Research UK

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Friesian thoughts

I AM in the process of writing an article on George Odlum and his world famous herd of British Friesians, and would welcome the opportunity to talk to anyone who knew him or has details about his achievements.

Between 1926 and 1942 he lived at Manor Farm, Manningford, before selling it to Robert Hudson, the Wartime Minister of Agriculture.

JOHN MARTIN

Professor of Agrarian History

32 Peveril Road,

Ashby Magna

Lutterworth

Leicestershire

LE17 5NG

Tel 01455 209800