Letters: November 28, 2016

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

Short sighted policy

SO they’re at it again, this council of ours, spending another £100,000 of conjured up money to install cameras on our “black spot” roads, brilliant.

Cameras do three things:

1. They catch on film anyone driving over the limit or recklessly;

2. They catch a massive amount of law-abiding drivers on film who are not driving over the speed limit;

3. They raise revenue for the council to fritter away on more crass whims.

Cameras will not, in most cases do what this council wants them to do – make people slow down.

The only thing to make cars slow down is a physical barrier in the shape of raised sleeping policemen or similar, which cannot be driven over at speed.

Don’t forget the vast majority of drivers are fine and pose no risk, the odd idiot will take no notice of cameras, flashing signs or any other device that pleads with them to slow down unless something physical actually makes them.

Cameras only serve to reprimand the few idiots retrospectively by which time the, at times fatal, damage is done.

I eagerly await a project from this council that is forward thinking, contemporary, imaginative, value for money, citizen-friendly and something that makes this town stand out from the others but I shall not be holding my breath.

KEVIN EDMONDS

Covingham, Swindon

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Present creates future

I HAVE long wondered what the future would look like locally, nationally and internationally.

A hundred years from now will our children and grandchildren have equality; decent jobs, power and true education?

Will they live peacefully? Will they respect the ecosystem? Will they take care of the weak and poor among them or will they call them lazy and good for nothing, as we do?

Will they take care of the animals – mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and insects – or will they use them for sports and to satisfy their excessive eating like we do?

I can only predict the future by looking at our actions or inactions. I see that the council policy makers, people in business, and public figures neglect homeless people in our midst.

I also see that we walk by a homeless person who asks us for change. We dismiss them as lazy, an alcoholic or a drug addict. Only few of us take the time to listen to their stories and try to help.

If you’re one of those few people, it is well and good, if not, it’s time we ought to change the way we see the homeless people in our town.

The homeless people in our town say a lot about our character, leadership and humanity.

If I were living 100 years from now, I’d only see more products and attitude of our time because the present creates the future.

AXMED BAHJAD

Ermin Street, Swindon

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Hand of friendship

OFFER your hand in international friendship. Welcome an adult international student into your home for a day, weekend, or four days at Christmas, and do your bit to make the world a little friendlier.

Many adult international students from across the world would love to spend a few days with you, learning about British culture, experiencing UK home-life, and telling you about their own country. A Christmas invitation is particularly valuable to students facing a holiday on an empty university campus.

Japanese student Mamiko Moda wrote: “Thanks to my hosts and their kindness, I could spend a nice Christmas here instead of staying at home alone. I am grateful to you all.”

Hosting is a voluntary position suitable for all ages and is also available throughout the year with HOST, a charity set up in 1987.

To find out more or be put in touch with your local organiser, visit www.hostuk.org, or call 020 7739 6292.

My family have been welcoming international students for Christmas and at other times for many years now and we are looking forward to our Vietnamese visitors this year.

CHRISTINE SENIOR

Walcot Road, Swindon

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Parish concept ‘con’

I HAVE had my fair share of letters on these pages for many years, as have many other contributors with differing points of view.

But I have always respected their opinions, regardless of my sometimes humorous replies.

But the vast majority of letters on these pages from both sides of the political spectrum have condemned this new parish concept as a financial con – more money for fewer services and I agree.

I would rather walk my dog than give most of these local political characters the time of day.

The votes cast at make your mind up time prove my point.

It beggars belief that David Renard, the chief culprit in this charade, has insulted our intelligence even more in his column in the Adver.

He has tried to convince us all otherwise and then has pleaded for volunteers to face the anger of the public as new local parish councillors.

The parish councils will put another strain on our stretched family budgets. Gas and electricity bills come to mind, to mention but a few.

John Lennon once said, someday the politicians will declare war, and no one will turn up. Let us all hope, after having democracy denied in this matter, that nobody turns up for Mr Renard.

Humorous but true, I cannot resist this one, my family witnessed this. He came to my humble abode just before the last General Election with an assistant . I gave him the Latin. Non Persona Grata, in Glaswegian. Get Tae . He can certainly move down a garden path fast for a tall large man.

BILL WILLIAMS

Merlin Way, Covingham

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Statement dismay

JUSTIN Tomlinson has the nerve to write in Friday’s Adver of what the Tories have “given away” in the Autumn statement.

An increase in the personal allowance from April 2017 from £11,000 to £11,500. This is £100 per year.

Unfortunately he fails to mention, due to Tory policy, Swindon Council is having to raise council tax by six per cent to cover adult and child care which should be paid by central government. This will cost me about £90 per year.

Coupled with the increase in insurance tax I will be about £1 per year “better off.”

G HERBERT

Trenchard Road, Swindon