Letters: August 19, 2016

Anonymity is granted only at the discretion of the editor, who also reserves the right to edit letters.

Grammar school myth

JD Lancashire’s assertion that people of all political leanings will welcome lifting the ban on grammar schools is quite wrong.

Based on more than 30 years experience in examination results analysis, there is no verifiable statistical evidence that introducing more grammar schools will raise overall educational standards.

He is wrong in his statement that grammar schools were abolished – they were not and there are still grammar schools in existence doing well, but only because they cream off the very best students through the 11 plus exams.

That, though, is no reason to add to them.

Mrs May hasn’t yet made a final decision either and I hope for one she doesn’t pander to the ideological hawks in her party who see elitism as the cure for all ills.

And who closed more grammar schools than any other education secretary in existence Mr Lancashire?

None other than Margaret Thatcher.

His attempt therefore to put all the blame on the Labour Party is typical of those who wish to forget historical fact.

I went to Trowbridge High, a well regarded grammar school, and did well in my chosen career in education administration.

But my work experience puts me firmly in the camp for comprehensive education.

My two daughters are living proof of the value of the comprehensive education with one a senior planner/archaeologist with an MA and the other an executive assistant manager of a series of international hotels.

No, Mr Lancashire – this decision is nothing to do with pragmatism but everything to do with ideology.

One hopes that Michelle Donelan, Claire Perry, John Glen and Andrew Murrison do not pander to the same spurious arguments with not a jot of statistical examination evidence to support adding any more to those that currently exist.

JOHN BAXTER

Deverell Close, Bradford on Avon

....

11 Plus failure?

RE LETTER (15/8/16) “Grammar School Farce.”

I’m guessing Jeff Adams failed the 11 Plus.

FRANCES GRANGE

Swindon

....

Wolf in sheep’s clothing

For all her warm words when on the steps of No. 10 Downing Street, Mrs. May is following in the well-worn steps of previous Conservative Prime Ministers.

Shadowing Mrs Thatcher’s doubling of VAT and Mr Cameron’s raising that tax to its highest level, 20 per cent, after saying there were no plans to do so, Mrs. May has presided over a devaluation of the pound to the tune of about 12.5 per cent.

All these Tory leaders have hit us where it hurts the most – in the wallet.

Everything we buy from abroad is now much dearer.

Let us not forget Mrs. May’s role in the Cameron government, as Home Secretary.

There she advocated and enacted cuts to the police forces of 10 per cent, including reductions in firearms trained officers.

He latest increase in this category, from existing officers, not new recruits, merely attempts to redress the balance.

As a member of the cabinet she also played her part in the collective actions of the Tory government including the hated “bedroom tax”, as well as cuts to local councils.

This is being experienced, now, locally by huge cuts to local buses and the imposition of parishes on Swindon.

Not content with having destroyed local government, she and the Tory Party are on a mission to destroy good comprehensive schools, having broken the link between schools and local authorities by their insistence on an academies programme.

I notice that universities are wanting to increase their fees: Many graduates will now start their life with debts of more than £40,000.

One of Mrs. May’s first acts was to abolish grants for student nurses – how is that to solve the shortage in this field?

For me she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She is a fully paid up supporter of the nasty party and I suspect she will use the Autumn Statement to unleash another vicious round of cuts, but not in taxation, on us all, under the guise of “adjustments we all have to make following Brexit.”

BOB PIXTON

Liden, Swindon

....

Fighting for Toothill

RE STEPHANIE Giles’ letter of August 17– like her, we only found out about the possible planned development for a new community centre on the green behind Toothill Farmhouse via a leaflet put through our door by our local councillors.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the existing community centre.

All it needs is money spent on it to upgrade it, i.e., lottery funds.

We moved to Toothill 13 months ago from another part of Swindon – we have lived in Swindon for 26 years.

Toothill has a very warm, friendly community, with the existing community centre being the vibrant, welcoming hub.

A meeting was held on August 16 at the community centre re the Toothill Big Local proposals for our £1m lottery grant.

The hall was jam-packed with Toothill folk like me who have passionate views about what is going on.

A well-respected local Toothill councillor was also present.

In fact some people had to stand outside and look through the doors and windows, it was that crowded.

All Toothill residents should have been consulted first before any plans were submitted to the council at the pre-application stage. This was a grave error on the part of TBL.

In my view, the proposed “open day” at Toothill Farmhouse on September 17 will be a complete waste of time.

We went to a similar “event” before in another part of Swindon a few years ago which was also a waste of time

So we have a fair idea of how these sessions are orchestrated.

ELAINE DRURY

Toothill, Swindon

....

NHS savings options

ONCE again we are wrestling with the problem of funding the National Health Service.

There are a number of areas in which economies could be made.

It is frequently reported that different NHS areas are paying different rates for consumable items such as aspirins. When I was in the Civil Service all our office requirements, e.g. pencils, ink, paper, etc, were obtained through the stationery office and I am sure that due to the size of purchases a reasonable price was obtained.

I think the same principle must be applied with all large organisations such as Boots, W H Smith etc.

Why does the NHS not operate in this way?

I recently read that an elderly man who had lost his walking stick was advised to obtain a replacement from the NHS, which would have cost the NHS £16 – he was able to purchase the same item for £10.

Elective operations are another area where savings could be made. The purpose of the NHS is to cure illnesses and alleviate pain but such things as IVF treatment do not fall within those categories.

I know that being unable to produce children naturally is a sadness but there are many tragedies in life which are much worse.

Similar arguments apply to tattoo removal and breast enhancement or reduction.

The other NHS area which requires scrutiny is management.

Years ago we managed with small management teams largely made up of medical and nursing staff but current figures show a greater recruitment of managers.

One might ask what exactly this regiment of managers contributes to the care of hospital patients.

The other glaring fault in the service is the “free at point of use” culture.

Costs have risen so dramatically that this is no longer affordable and most countries either have a contributory system or a compulsory insurance scheme.

Nobody values something they get for nothing and this is evidenced by the lists in local surgeries of appointments which are not kept.

My dentist makes a charge for a missed appointment and I see no reason why doctors should not do the same.

GEOFFREY RICHARDS

Ashton Lodge

Hilperton

Trowbridge

....

Phone delay woes

DOES anybody else get my trouble when trying to phone firms?

Wiltshire Council is just as bad. The call goes through and someone says they are experiencing a high volume of calls, they know you are waiting and will answer as soon as an operator becomes free.

Then you get the advertising, then music, followed by another ‘we know you are waiting.’

Then more adverts, more music, then we are experiencing a high volume of calls, etc... this goes on and on...

Why, whenever I ring, morning or afternoon, do they always seem to be experiencing all these calls?

If they are getting that many why do they not employ more staff?

It takes up to 10 minutes to get through – and longer sometimes.

Do these firms get cheaper calls? Or am I missing something?

You can understand if it’s a surgery or hospital but it seems most places you ring it’s the same old tale.

Do any of your readers have the same trouble?

EJ STOKES

Church Road

Bratton

....

Cage suitably rattled?

My goodness Mr Nibbs, I must have rattled your cage.

However, a well written response to my letter regarding lack of input from women on the letters page, at least it wasn’t about the EU Referendum or sport.

As I stated, I read all letters, so recognise your latest as continuous moaning over one thing or another.

Try being more open minded to other opinions and thoughts on subjects.

As for my surname, it’s “Hunt” with a capital “H”. Was it such a misdemeanour? Quoting dear old Captain Mainwaring “You stupid boy!”

BETH HUNT

Hill View Road

Swindon