Royals bring out the best in British people (From Swindon Advertiser)

Royals bring out the best in British people

5:03pm Tuesday 31st January 2012 in Letters

I do enjoy the contributions made to the letters page by H G Smith of Wroughton and that of January 21 was no exception. However, whilst enjoying reading them, I do not subscribe to his views of the Royal family or to many of the traditions he traduces.

The Royal Family, whether archaic or not, offers a constant in our lives, a reference point of which we can rightly be very proud; and a focus of attention which for many, relieves the tedium of their lives and offers a glow of colour and an opportunity for celebration.

It has been mooted that the 2012 Jubilee celebrations will be comparable to those of the London Olympics, I suggest that while the Olympics may attract more world wide attention, the enthusiasm for the Royal pageant along the Thames will bring out the best in the nature of the British people and reveal once more the affection felt for the Monarch and her family.

Mr Smith betrays his principles in a minor way when he discloses his distaste for the award of such baubles as the MBE, OBE and CBE and yet in the same breath supports the idea of an MBP – an honours system simply playing to a different tune.

I look at some of the Republics and their supposed egalitarian systems and observe how obsessed they are with honours and decorations.

Indeed many a puffed out chest contains more ribbon and stitching than the Bayeaux Tapestry. I note how elected Presidents suffuse themselves with the principal ‘toys’ of power – palaces, limousines, private jets.

Whereas in truth our Head of State is ‘controlled’ by the unwritten but well understood informal constitutional constraints placed on her and her heirs and successors.

I offer no criticism of Mr Smith’s views, he is entitled to them and long may he be free to extol them. May I ask him that before he makes bold statements such as he makes in his final paragraph, he checks his facts in order that he cannot be challenged and found to be wanting. Des Morgan Caraway Drive Swindon

Caring bulldozed

Croft Youth and Sports facilities were built 40 years ago in the days when Swindon had a vibrant youth service. Councillor Bawden is probably the only elected member of today’s council who can remember that. The residents were not too pleased and vehicular access was a problem, even then. It was the first phase of a possible new school.

It was our duty, as staff, to work with local people to develop a programme which reflected local needs and made good use of the facilities. Croft became, and still is, at the heart of an active and caring community.

What a pity if the current council has destroyed all this with its bulldozers! Nice picture, but they won’t build it by September with a spade on the Old Town springs line.

John Davies Englefield Royal Wootton Bassett

Wheely great

How fortunate we are, in the Borough of Swindon, to have such efficient bus services, both from Thamesdown Transport and Stagecoach.

Hat’s off to the drivers, administration and maintenance staff, both men and women, who work from early morn til late at night on various shifts. Thank you.

Les Fox High Street Blunsdon Swindon

Take a leap

Having my own business, I have seen how fundraising for charity can be a great way to boost staff morale. That is why I’m backing the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s Make Today Count initiative, which encourages employers to donate a day’s annual leave on 29th February, the extra day we all gain this leap year, to raffle off among staff.

It’s a great way to have fun while raising funds for vital research that could change the lives of the 70,000 children and adults with muscle-wasting conditions.

Visit www.muscular-dystrophy.org/maketodaycount or call 0845 872 9058.

Joanna Riley Businesswoman and BBC’s The Apprentice semi-finalist

Children’s debt

The National Debt has just reached a trillion pounds under this coalition Government.

David Cameron talks tough about getting government spending under control but the opposite is happening.

The national debt is increasing at the rate of £2bn a week. Some time in the future our children and grandchildren will have to repay all these enormous debts.

Terry Hayward Burnham Road Swindon

It’s treason

Recent disclosures by Peter Hain, former government Minister in his memoirs, are shocking if true. Hain states that Britain was one day away from sharing co sovereignty with Spain over Gibraltar.

Tony Blair, allegedly, treated the people of Gibraltar's wishes to remain part of Britain with contempt. Hain also discloses a cloak and dagger scenario, instituted by Blair, to convince us to join the Euro, behind his Chancellor’s back.

This man must be brought to book by the powers that be. These acts are tantamount to treason.

Bill Williams Merlin Way Swindon