Letters: October 6, 2016

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

Playing fast and loose

WHEN I think back a year or so ago I recall the unprecedented floods on the Somerset Levels.

I suggest that to date we have all been very fortunate regarding the current Hinckley Point nuclear installations as there are many things that could cause a tsunami-type wave, including a large rock fall from a cliff, an undersea volcanic eruption, or an oceanic asteroid strike, which would put us all in to a similar predicament to that which happened to the Fukushima nuclear installation not that long ago in Japan.

On TV recently a geology documentary highlighted the precarious state of La Palma, in the Canary Islands, which is so unstable that it is only a matter of time before the cliffs give way and dump millions of tons to the ocean.

Just because such events have never happened during our short lifetimes compared to that of the Earth does not mean that it can ever be ruled out.

It is quite feasible that some event could trigger a Fukushima-type scenario, whether it is for our generation or for those yet to come.

Such events have happened before in the British Isles although not in our lifetime, thankfully, and not all that long ago if a comparison to the age of the Earth is taken in to consideration.

Not only is this idea stupid and prohibitively expensive with the ultimate final cost unknown, it also represents a criminal decision that risks the lives of everyone in the south of England and possibly far beyond.

Surely the risks far outweigh the relatively short-term local job advantages in the area.

The laws of random chance do have a habit of frequently changing for the worst scenario without any prior warning, and it is no use then in crying over spilt milk as the saying goes.

The German government realised some time ago that nuclear reactors can never be manufactured to be 100 per cent safe, and especially so when the vagaries of nature are taken into consideration, and this is why they have opted to wind up their nuclear programme.

Finally, as a side note they also announced the other day that no licences for fracking will be granted by the German government, which is also very commendable when considering the adverse effects that such schemes have upon the environment for both wildlife and human resources.

But, sadly, the same battle continues to be fought in Britain where the majority wishes of the population once again are being ignored by the government of the day.

We should undoubtedly be following the example set by the German government otherwise we are playing fast and loose with our very existence.

G A WOODWARD

Nelson Street, Swindon

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Tit for tat tariffs?

ONCE again we have the head of Nissan claiming that, as a result of the vote to leave the EU, Nissan will have to reconsider its investment strategy in Britain.

I say ‘once again’ as Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has ‘form’ in respect of making wild claims.

In 2000 Mr Ghosn met Tony Blair and declared that if the UK Government did not set out a timetable to join the Euro, Nissan would consider building the new Micra in Barcelona rather than Sunderland.

The UK didn’t join the Euro and Nissan didn’t build the new Micra in Europe. Mr Ghosn was playing a game with the Government – he knew that a threat to move production out of the UK would prime the Government to offer financial inducements to persuade Nissan to stay in the North East.

Subsidies of £100m, along with European Union grants of £50m were reported to have been given to Nissan.

Today Mr Ghosn repeats his threat to re-evaluate his company’s position should the EU impose tariffs on Nissan cars produced in the UK.

What he means is that Nissan may decide to move its UK manufacturing base to another country.

That is Nissan’s choice, they could decide to make all their cars in India as they do the Micra (so much for supporting the EU).

That may well save Nissan money but it will also cost them sales.

Finally, we should remember that Mr Ghosn actually heads Renault Nissan, a fact which he tends to omit in his attempt to gloss over the company’s French ownership.

I wonder what message Mr Ghosn is taking to Paris and whether he fears what would happen if the UK imposed tit for tat tariffs on French cars.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive, Swindon

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‘Nul points’, I’m afraid

ON MONDAY, September 26 I visited Cineworld at Shaw Ridge to see the live link performance of Norma from the Royal Opera House.

The stunning performances were completely spoilt by a loud amplified clunking sound every four to five minutes coming over the sound system.

After nearly jumping out of my skin a couple of times I went out to complain, spoke to a very polite young man called Luke who said he would speak to the manager.

I explained that they would need to sit in to hear it, no one appeared.

The sound continued and at times it made me gasp as it literally came from nowhere with no warning, fortunately there was no one sitting next to me.

At the interval I complained again, along with others and one gentleman did suggest that if it was out of their control then someone needed to come in and explain the situation to us; no one made an appearance and there was no announcement.

The noise continued all during the second act, my pulse rate just had about enough time to return to normal before the next assault on my hearing.

After the performance poor Luke was left to apologise once again to those who complained and he seemed highly embarrassed by the situation.

He did explain that it was a glitch on the live link system and it was out of their control.

I was given a free ticket for a future performance but it doesn’t really make up for a ruined evening and such a special event.

I had booked online and a couple of days later I completed a survey form, I gave chapter and verse of my ruined visit; still conspicuous silence.

So to the duty manager of Cineworld, Shaw Ridge on September 26 “nul points” for customer service, but full marks to Luke, you did well in difficult circumstances.

I just hope we don’t have a repeat performance at the screening of Cosi.

JILL WARREN

Plummer Close, Wroughton

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Institute lament

IT’S A shame that Swindon is celebrating 175 years of railway history but an important bit of local history has been totally neglected, namely, the Mechanics Institute, which seems to have died a natural death.

We hear about all these cutbacks but we fail, in the community, to maintain a part of local history.

Nothing these days is mentioned about this grand old building, or what the future is for it in the 21st century.

KM TOLLEY

Priory Road, Swindon

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Judgement impaired?

WE LIVE in a democracy. Or do we? The articulate, informative letter from Des Morgan regarding the parish tax against the wishes of the people was a perfect example.

I then had Maureen Dilley at my door urging me to sign the petition against the disgraceful toxic plant near Honda, which I had no hesitation in signing.

To Des and Maureen, may I express my admiration for their diligence regarding their efforts for our environment, as well as our finances?

However, sad to say, I have no doubt that the toxic plant will be built. According to reports building has already started. And I am sure the parish tax will be implemented.

It therefore raises the question, do we live in a democracy where the will of the people is ensured? Or are we being used for vested self interests?

I thought that councillors, as well as MPs, were public servants paid by the taxpayer to implement the will of the people who elected them.

Or has the university of life, which cost nothing, marred my judgement?

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Swindon

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A capital crime

I READ Bas Jones’ response to Bill Williams’ letter regarding capital punishment, in which Bas reiterated statements from Amnesty saying that “the death penalty legitimises an irreversible act of violence and will inevitably claim innocent victims.”

It went on to quote statistics which show that the death penalty leads to the brutalisation of society.

Therefore this has got me to thinking, following through on his comments, does he believe that this same analogy could be attributed to the unborn where, it could be said that capital punishment is inflicted on them, with no right to a defence attorney to plead their case?

STEVE JACK

Damson Trees, Shrivenham,

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What about ending?

THE family and I were all set to go to the movies to watch Free State Of Jones.

Thanks to Steve Webb, your movie reviewer, ( Friday Films) we changed our minds.

He appears to have related 95 per cent of the story in his review. Why didn’t he also add the ending while at it?

It wouldn’t surprise me if the copyright owners sued him.

Thanks Steve!

STEVE NIBBS

Milton Road, Swindon