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Just start from scratch

MY LATE wife and I had many happy evenings in the old Locarno some 60 or more years ago and there is no way that any restoration is likely to reproduce what was there in those days.

We all know from the sad history of the Mechanics Institute that bold plans to incorporate 19th century buildings into bigger, “better?” modern ones, do not get approved.

And those that are approved, such as the incorporation of the former GWR “Long Shop” into the, then, already developed Outlet Centre, pay but scant regard to history and need looking at with a handbook and very rose-tinted spectacles if any idea of their former use or even architecture is to be discerned.

If the artist’s impression of the look of the proposed development of the Corn Exchange area, as printed on page 7 of the SA is anything to go by, may I respectfully suggest complete demolition instead of incorporation?

Included in the development perhaps could be a small room of photographs and maybe a scale model of what once was there, this being a kinder and more fitting way to remember the building. Making a silk purse from a pig’s ear is a sufficiently difficult task in itself but if the ear has been buried for many years already then it is surely better to start anew.

TERRY FLINDERS

Address supplied

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Trump beats killer duo

I RECALL eight years ago, November 8, 2008, I was tired because I was up the whole night to watch the election in which Obama was elected.

Next morning, I had to go to lectures with one hour’s sleep.

Nevertheless, I was happy, like millions of black people across the globe, because the first black president had been elected in a society where racism has been practised for 400 years.

Eight years later most people know of the crimes against humanity of the Democratic Party, led by Obama and Clinton.

These range from bombing Libya and murdering its leader, along with 50 thousand innocent people; waging imperial war in Syria; occupying in Afghanistan; destroying peace and stability while murdering millions of civilian people in Iraq and supporting the occupation Palestine, which is the longest brutal military occupation in the history of mankind.

What are the legacies of Obama and Clinton? They’re drone killers at weddings and funerals in Pakistan and Afghanistan, children killers in Yemen and warmongers in Libya, imperialists who arm thugs in Syria, economic destroyers in the US and advocators of police killings of the unarmed Afro-Americans.

I am happy that Donald Trump was elected. I do not think he’ll stop waging wars but he’s direct and straightforward.

I prefer someone who lets me know where he/she stands, rather than someone who comes up to me with an angel-like smile and rhetoric yet is nothing but devil-like, as Hillary and Obama are.

AXMED BAHJAD

Fleet Street

Swindon

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Poppies overreaction

AT FIRST glance the headline “A crying shame” (SA, Nov 11) appears to leave little doubt that a poppy seller was mistreated but the story on page 2 sheds a little light on the subject which might suggest the Tesco store manager to be well within his rights to be annoyed.

The RBLPA volunteer states she moved a display from the foyer back into the shop – really, on what basis did she think it was in her gift to do this? Surely the appropriate action was to search out the duty manager and request the display stand be moved, thus allowing the poppy sellers to occupy the position they wanted.

To demonstrate the absurdity of the situation the RBLPA volunteers appear to be annoyed that someone (they assume from Tesco) moved their home made sign, not once but three times.

I wonder if they can see the contradiction here – they move a store display and they think it wrong for the manager to complain; on the other hand someone moves their notice and all hell breaks loose.

It is churlish and absurd of the volunteers to label the store manager disrespectful of the Legion and the Poppy Appeal.

Anyone involved with charities in the town knows that the management and staff of Tesco and other stores bend over backwards to assist bona fide charities to raise their much needed funds.

I hope the volunteers will reflect on their actions and words and offer an apology to Tesco and the beleaguered Swindon manager.

DES MORGAN

Caraway Drive

Swindon