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Try catching the bus

So the unpleasant troll quoted in the Swindon Advertiser (anonymously of course) is against bus lanes at Stratton crossroads because buses are only used by poor, unwashed people.

My husband often travels by bus because he is disabled and unable to drive.

He is often overwhelmed by the help he is given and the kindness he is shown by all different kinds and ages of people.

The people travelling on his bus route are without exception, friendly and approachable. The nasty troll person should try travelling by bus occasionally although I can understand why not – the bus service in Stratton is practically non existent.

Buses are very handy for travelling into town for a drink or two and much cheaper the taxis. So perhaps the nasty troll person should add drunk to his or her list for not travelling on a bus.

Janet Cole, Winterbourne Road, Haydon End, Swindon

Free speech threatened

We in this country are fortunate enough to enjoy freedom of speech.

Many gave their lives to defend it during World War Two.

We must continue to defend it for it is clearly under threat (SA April 12) from a minority of narrow-minded people who cannot understand that other people are equally entitled to their point of view, even if it differs from their own.

What is really disturbing is that some of the censorship is taking place in our universities, both by the students and management, where some outside speakers, who have been invited to talk, are being banned because of their (politically incorrect?) views.

These are the very places that are supposed to breed and encourage free thought, proper investigation and questioning of the so-called facts, and vigorous discussion and debate!

It is an absolute disgrace that a philosopher of the standing of Sir Roger Scruton should be sacked from his government position (as you reported) because he made a comment about the influence of George Soros in Hungary, which was thought to be anti-Semitic, and the use of the word Islamophobia.

These are terms that are frequently used (or misused) by members of the public and the press to mean different things to different people.

It was Voltaire who said: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”.

Only by defending free speech can we prevent anarchy or a repressive dictatorship.

Malcolm Morrison, Prospect Hill, Swindon

What do we do now?

After the Brexit referendum of June 2016, it was decided that Parliament would have to agree on how to leave.

Now, I cannot believe that I’m the only person to understand this, but one fact is now completely clear – there can never be agreement. Half the House do not want to leave and the other half do.

Whatever side of the debate you support there is only one way this can be resolved, the citizens of the United Kingdom must direct the politicians on how to proceed.

How this is carried out I’m not sure, referendum, general election, but unless this is made so, the situation in October will be identical to what it is now.

Neil Maw, Coleview, Stratton

Slow pace at stadium

The new track at the not quite ready new stadium at Blunsdon is nearly ready (SA April 12). Brilliant news, but where is, or should I say when is the new stadium being built.

We have got to be into year 10 now and still nothing concrete or again should I say a lack of concrete in sight.

The last I heard was that the stadium had been built but was in a flat pack format somewhere in Wales!

If it is then that bit of information was released a couple of years ago so it must be overgrown and lost.

Why is it taking so long? If you want to have a stadium that is fit for the 21st century and make it a place where people will want to keep coming back to, then blinking build it.

The Shard building in London did not take this long to build.

The Romans built Hadrian’s wall quicker. The Egyptians could build a pyramid in less than 10 years.

So again I ask the same question. When or is it being built? That’s all we the general public want to know.

Is there anyone out there that is honest and open enough to say YES or NO?

John L Crook, Haydon Wick, Swindon

Thanks Flicky!

I felt I must put pen to pen to thank entertainment reporter Flicky Harrison for all her long standing and accurate and great stories for this paper.

On behalf of my own Kentwood Choir and all local entertainment groups I would like to thank her.

She will be greatly missed. I do sincerely hope that the arts in this talented town of Swindon will be well covered by this paper.

Sheila Harrod, conductor Kentwood Show Choir