Not all great
IN a recent Talking Point column Jesse Norman was full of enthusiasm for “three bits of great news which make March 2017 a month to remember”. 
What were they? 
Well - an £8 million start up funding for a university, plus £2.8 million for a new Centre for Cyber Security and £748,000 to boost arts, culture and heritage across Herefordshire. 
He further went on to say “now we just need to win our bid for City of Culture 2021 and get development plans for the Broad Street library building under way and we will really be moving onwards!”
Not true Mr.Norman! 
I would remind you that No 1 Ledbury Road Respite Centre for children with complex needs closed at the end of March 2017 (after 30 years) because Herefordshire Council could not find money to keep it running, or indeed suitable alternatives for desperate parents, many of whom are to be left fend for themselves. 
That to me is going backwards - not onwards. 
I would have thought that the local MP would have wished to draw constituents’ attention to that. 
Or do you only want to purvey the ‘good’ news? 
SHAME ON YOU! 
Or do you not share your leader’s vision of a ‘shared society’?
PETER BOYLE
Tregaron

Down to us
IN response to the letter from Janette Ward (Letters, Hereford Times, Thursday April 13) where she writes of her `no` vote in the 1973 referendum to join the European Common Market, on the “assumption” that we would be joining a “capitalist club” acting against working people.  
One might question the immaturity of making political decisions on the basis of assumptions. 
The lady goes on to write of her `remain` vote in the 2016 referendum because countries are economically interdependent and therefore providing an important foundation for peace. 
It is unclear what financial interdependence means in the EU/EC ; perhaps she alludes to the UK being one of only five countries to pay in, while the other 22 take out. 
Surely a strange example of financial security.
The lady goes on to talk of government policies and `fake news` deceiving and lying to the electorate. 
I have written previously, in answer to similar letters, of the importance of making up one`s own mind whether on political or any other matters. 
Of the possibility of Brexit leading to the `shipwreck` of this country, perhaps the fate of many southern European countries, already in dire social, financial and unemployment straits, might colour the opinion of those with the maturity to take note of such doom-laden harbingers. 
It may not be a capitalist club acting against working people but the EC is certainly making a good attempt to do just that.
Cheer up, Mrs Ward, we might yet, in this country, get to stand on our own two feet as we did for centuries, make up our own minds and return to the democratic way of life we enjoyed for so long.   
RON HILL
Yarpole
Leominster
 
Thanks to all
THANK you all very much for supporting the Charity Tractor Run on Easter Saturday. 
I hope you all enjoyed the run.
I am very pleased to say that we raised £140 which will be divided between MS and Cancer Research.
I would also like to thank everyone who helped or donated draw prizes and of course the lovely meal we received at the end of a long day. 
Thank you all.
ANNIE AND AUSTIN POWLES
Preston-on-Wye
 
Vet support
THE death of a beloved family pet is always hard to bear and I offer my condolences to Mr Davies and family for the loss of their Lhasa Apso ‘Billy’, who according to your article, despite veterinary care and treatment succumbed to his injuries following a road traffic accident whilst off his lead (Jessica Phillips’ article, HT April 13). 
I understand the grief of losing a pet is immense and was sad to read that a complaint followed.
I felt compelled to write as Holmer Veterinary Surgery and specifically vet Phil Adams have, for over 20 years, provided outstanding care to all of my dogs throughout their lives and for two of them, sadly no longer with us, until the time of their passing, the most recent in November 2016.
I am and always will be grateful to Phil Adams for his clinical expertise, compassion, care, support, advice and treatment over the years.
JACKIE WOOD
Hereford

A great vet
HAVING been shocked to read the letter about Phillip Adams of Holmer Vets, I am very upset.
Phillip has always looked after my animals with great care and kindness and my animals love him. He is a great vet, the best, having looked after them for 20 years maybe even more. 
When the vets were in Gwynne Street, I was using them for 50 years. Then Phillip came. First it was Rutter and Helme then Dan Adams, Cecil Watkins and then Philip who took over Holmer Vets. 
They were and are now the finest vets I know of. 
Phillip is the kindest and most gentle man with all animals; they always come first with him. He has always been right with whatever treatment he has given them, I trust and admire him completely.
I lost my Jack Russell aged 17 years who was my baby and I know how heartbreaking it is to lose them. 
I am in my 80s now so won’t have another dog as it would be unfair to it as I am badly disabled. 
I am very sorry about Billy, but I know Phillip would have done his very best for him. 
He is a vet not a magician.
Best of luck, Phillip. I believe in you.
Lilian Jones and Sooty Cat
Clehonger
Hereford

Shocking deal
I FIND it extremely shocking that our country is selling arms to Saudi Arabia, which it uses to attack civilians in Yemen. 
It is accused of bombing multiple international hospitals run by the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, as well as schools, wedding parties, and food factories. 
In 2015, 83% (almost £900 million) of UK arms exports went to Saudi Arabia. 
Terrible suffering is being caused to men, women and children whose country is being systematically destroyed by a great variety of weapons.
ANNE ADAMS
Bridge St
Leominster

Hell on foot
HOW sad I was to read about the accident on your front page report of April 6, 2017.
In my opinion, the whole length of road from Debenhams to the Kerry Arms junction has become a ‘pedestrian hell’.  
The pavement outside the Old Market is the same level as the road, causing people to walk very close to passing traffic, especially HGVs.
Motorcycles are parked at the entrance to the Old Market, blocking the path and causing people to walk very close to passing traffic.
Pedestrian crossings along the whole stretch of road are a nightmare to cross as cars just park blatantly on the crossings.
C E Clarke
Staunton on Wye

Foul stench
I LIVE in Warwick Road, Lower Bullingham and for the past month we have had to put upset with the most disgusting smell.
We had this about two years ago, too. 
Welsh Water investigated and said that the ‘stuff’ that is being dumped in a field adjoining Watery Lane is waste matter from digesters. 
Not so, according to the council.  
A lady came out to say it was indeed ‘human’ waste! 
And that a licence was held by RCAS to dump it. But that it would be ploughed in within 2/3 days of dumping.... No way.. 
I had to remind her that we have to put up with this all summer because the fields were in rape.  
She didn’t know the harvest cycle of rape... typical council never know their facts. Too soft to do anything about it.  
So we residents have to suffer as, God forbid, can’t upset Bloor Homes etc.,
She said there is nothing they can do.
So we have this disgusting horrendous smell for the summer. So much so I’ve been physically sick in my own garden! 
I have a strong constitution.
It has been dumped within approximately 150 metres of our housing estate...field, railway line then houses back gardens in Hever Road. Should never be this close.
In this day of human rights, surely we have the right to be able to breath half decent air. 
There’s no such luxury for us. 
So no windows open, no washing out, no sitting in the garden etc if the wind is blowing info the wrong direction.
Yuck. 
Not to mention the flies.... 
It’s a huge health issue/problem. 
My husband took our puppy out for a wee in the early hours and when he came back to bed his hair was stinking of it.
This stuff is supposedly supposed to crust over in the sun but the cold nights and rain mean it’s back to normal.
There is a free field up nearer the Rotherwas bypass so why not dump it there? 
Excuse will probably be because they don’t rent that particular field.
The fields are owned by Bloor Homes, who obviously rent them out while awaiting houses to be built on them.
I challenge anyone from whomever is dumping this, or a council member, to spend a day and night in my home.
Sian Williams 
Lower Bullingham

Guard geese
YOUR front page headline last week of the SAS trouble with the neighbours reminded me of a true story that I have told visitors in my role as Hereford City Guide with the Mayor’s Guild of Guides.
A few years ago, my dog and I were walking along Elm Green Road, passing the Pontrilas Army Training Centre. 
Following the high wire fence, we came to the entrance, no guards were on duty but three geese objected to the dog. 
I tell our visitors that only in Herefordshire would you have geese guarding the SAS!
The Guides walking season starts Saturday, May 6. Perhaps I should update my story.
JOHN DAWSON 
Westhide
Hereford
 
Fair is fair
HEREFORDSHIRE is a wonderful place to live and work.
But like all shire counties it suffers from poor and unfair funding from central government, which limits so many things that are necessary to growth and prosperity.
Soon after becoming Prime Minister, Teresa May promised that fairness across the country would be a central plank of her administration.
And with an election now only six weeks away, surely this is the time for all those standing for election, to make fairness for the shires as important an issue as Brexit, the NHS or any other topic.
Will Bill Wiggin and Jesse Norman sign up to fairness for the shires ?
Will the Green, Labour, LibDem or any other candidate putting up for election, make fairness for the shires a part of their pitch to the electorate?
Time will tell.
GRAHAM CARPENTER
Oldfields Close
Leominster

Lacking logic

I FAIL to understand the reason and logic of moving the bus stop from outside the Regal cinema from where the street is at its widest and safest point to a new position outside TSB bank where the pavement and road is considerably narrower. 
As a former partner in a local bus firm that has provided a service for more than 90 years and still operating today I shudder to think what the result of this move will be.
Or as Victor Meldrew would say “I don’t believe it”.
Buses are eight feet wide, allow an extra two-and-a-half feet for safe overtaking, parked cars on the opposite side, traffic and delivery lorries entering the new Tesco store. 
Cars exiting the TSB car park will be at huge risk edging out on to the main road; all this will reduce Teme street to single track. 
What happens when two lorries meet? 
I may be a pessimist but I can only see gridlock on future occasions.
A few years ago, when the same subject came up regarding the moving of the bus stop, I wrote to the press saying whoever came up with this idea must have been stark raving bonkers.
However, with support from the local councillors the idea died a natural death.
How Worcestershire County Council can say now that this will reduce congestion, I am sorry I don’t get it.
LES YARRANTON
Tenbury Wells

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