How relieved I was to read that the school child struck by a bus in Akers Way was not seriously injured. No doubt the driver felt the same and I hope they soon recover from the shock.

Bus drivers along Akers Way when children are near the school are always very careful and mindful of a child's sudden actions. The whole length of Akers Way has only one controlled crossing, at the junction to the school.

As a person who walks from St Mary’s Church on the south side of Akers Way every morning can I please comment on driving standards?

There are two or three drivers who drive in excess of 50mph in a 30mph limit.

At the the roundabout into the Cheney Manor Estate, along with a number of children, my wife and I can wait for several minutes while upwards of 40 cars go into the estate without slowing down for waiting pedestrians, allowing them to cross.

Every now and again a considerate driver will give way and I thank them for their thoughtfulness. I have stood by youngsters waiting for when a child will make a dash for it, only to be met by a mouthful on unrepeatable words from the driver.

Although not the right thing to do, I can understand how the child is feeling. Drivers, if you slow down and stop it will only add a few seconds to your journey. You will have to wait at the Bruce Street bridges anyway, and if you are late then can I suggest that you get up a little earlier?

JH Oliver Brooklands Avenue, Swindon

Call it obsession

It’s interesting in this day and age how our behaviour patterns constantly change. This was certainly brought home to me when I boarded a Swindon train at London Paddington.

After I had taken a seat and looked around I appeared to be the only person who was not looking at a mobile phone. I came to the conclusion that wherever we happen to be, we are programmed to take out a phone whenever we sit down.

Times may be hard, but there is no apparent shortage of phones that provide an amazing service which demands such concentrated attention. Call me old fashioned, but I have obviously not invested in a phone which provides such interesting fare.

On arrival at the first station the seat next to me became vacant, but was soon occupied by a passenger who not only immediately took out the phone, but indulged in a loud phone conversation for the rest of the journey. As the train thankfully approached Swindon station I was very pleased to receive a text message, which enabled me to hold my head high and feel a part of society again.

The experience made me wonder whether the art of conversation, and the style and accuracy of the written word, had forever disappeared. I certainly hope not. I text my reply.......c u soon.

Ron Burchell Crombey Street Swindon

Something Else

I was interested to see that Gary Else, the football coach who sadly died so young (Adver May 5) was the son of the ex-footballer Fred Else. I, and I know others too, have never forgotten Fred’s goalkeeping skill when he played for Barrow at the County Ground in the 1960s.

A quick check on the internet shows that Barrow came to Swindon twice: both times when we were in division three. The first time was in September 1967 when they beat us; the second time was in May 1969 when we won 2-0.

I believe Fred Else played both times but in one of those games in particular, the Barrow goalkeeper made one sensational save after another.

From what I have read about his son Gary, he will be remembered affectionately for a long time here in Swindon; that makes two members of the Else family.

Peter Timms Buckingham Road Swindon

Thanks to all

I would like to give a big thank you to all who voted for me on May 3.

I am absolutely delighted to have been elected as a councillor and the important role of representing the Lydiard and Freshbrook ward.

Although the Conservatives are still in power in Swindon it is with a much reduced majority and we are now in a position to hold them to account.

My own commitments, as I stated in my election literature, are to:

1) Do my utmost to protect the green spaces in Lydiard & Freshbrook from unwanted development.

2) To work to keep the local environment looking as tidy as possible by getting waste and graffiti cleared promptly.

3) To consult with residents as much as possible so that they feel they have a real say in their area and in what is done to improve it.

4) To work with the Neighbourhood Policing Team to keep the area free of anti-social behaviour.

5) To fight to defend the community facilities from further cuts.

I intend to be as accessible as possible and look forward to meeting residents and to further the relationships that I have already established.

Cindy Matthews

Lydiard & Freshbrook Councillor

Hard on workers

Cameron has hailed the Queen’s Speech as a speech for those who work hard and play by the rules.

Don't most workers fit into this category? Why then does he intend to punish them?

In the near future employees face an unprecedented attack on their employment rights.

No longer will unfairly sacked or grieved workers be able to seek recourse to tribunals for justice. Cowboy employers will have a field day!

Human Rights exist but not, it seems, in the workplace. Draconian measures will be introduced. Not a peep has been heard from the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Milliband (whose only chance of becoming PM will be by default).

How could the Queen simply sit there in all conscience, dripping with expensive jewellery and allow it to happen, parroting every word “her” Government has instructed her to ape?

How can she sanction such on her very own working subjects without blinking an eyelid?

Why could she not, just for once, have acted like a human being with a conscience and exclaimed: “One will not allow this atrocious act to be implemented”? I'll tell you why: Like Milliband, she could not care less. Can you imagine her parroting: “One will no longer be receiving any more millions of your taxpayers hard earned money”?

What was the point a few years ago of the EU’s so-called Social Chapter – supposedly to protect workers’ hard won rights?

To quote one previous, infamous incumbent of 10 Downing street: “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” Workers beware – Cameron will drive you into the dust and back to serfdom.

J Adams

Bloomsbury

Swindon

Meet old pals

If I say “HMS.Collingwood”, many of your readers will show an interest.

Commissioned in January 1940 when things were getting tough in the Second World War Hitler was to have claimed to have sunk it four times over the next few years.

However, HMS Collingwood is a massive shore training establishment, and still going strong.

Many readers will be among the thousands of people who served there at some time or other. Electricians, seamen, cooks, wrens, writers, stewards, radio and radar mechanics, stores branch etc.

Who did they serve with? Would they like to meet up with them again? Would they like to visit today’s HMS Collingwood?

There is now an association standing by to reunite them with their old shipmates, as hundreds of others have found out.

Start the ball rolling by contacting Mike Crowe, 7 Heath Road, Sandown. PO36 8PG or mike.crowe1@btinternet.com

Mike Crowe

Sandown

Shame on you

I was forced to visit my GP at Victoria Surgery on May 9 and noted a sign that said that 52 appointments for GPs had been missed, also 54 for nurses had been missed.

Those patients should be ashamed. We all carry mobile phones so there can be very few with a genuine excuse. On asking one of the staff, she said that this was an ongoing problem and I suggested they should fine the culprits like the dentists do.

She said she thought there was some legal reason why they cannot do this.

I think that the doctors do a hard enough job as it is without this extra hassle.

Ron Rose

Twickenham Close

Nythe

Swindon