Readers' letters
We need answers on the Bridgefoot flood risk
Published 10 July 2008
IN October 2005 international news teams reported on the flooding of Bridgefoot. Scenes of the aftermath were broadcast all over the world by BBC News 24.MAY I take this opportunity to publicly applaud Allerdale council’s planning officers.IT was interesting to note in a recent article “No more wind turbines on my patch says MP” (Times & Star, June 27) that local MP Tony Cunningham was prepared to make a stand against any further growth of wind turbines in this area.THE RECENT report of anti-social behaviour regarding Allonby boys amazed me. That has not been my experience at all.
How long will we have to put up with this mess?
Published 26 June 2008
WHAT price good neighbours?FOR many years now I have seen how much our towns have changed. Although they call it progress I sometimes wonder if it is.I AM writing on behalf of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to express their gratitude to all the patrons of Tesco, New Bridge Street, Workington, who very generously donated to the collection held on their premises on May 23 and 24.MAY I draw your readers’ attention to the proposed development at the Melbreak Hotel, Winscales, Workington which has been deferred due to local objections but is due for re-consideration in July.SINCE the last modernisation of Washington Street the people of Seaton have waited for the replacement of their bus shelter. IN RESPONSE to Carruthers of Great Clifton and his request for more poetry, here is one I wrote...
Population control is at the root of housing turmoil
Published 26 June 2008
FOR the vast majority of people, whether as individuals or as a family, the largest investment by far they are likely to make in their lives is the purchase of a home.I MUST express my disappointment at the biased, unfair article (Times & Star, June 13) which shows a total lack of understanding of Beacon Hill School, Aspatria, and the current education regime.RE your front page article “Planners insist shop sign must abide by their rules,” (Times & Star, June 13) the planners refused permission as it was felt the sign had an adverse effect on the character and visual amenity of a conservation area.WINSCALES residents take heed. Do you think for one moment Allerdale councillors will take any notice of your petition to object to this proposed caravan park?WE went to see the Bogus Woman at the Theatre by the Lake. This is a stunning piece of one handed drama lasting about 85 minutes without an interval. COUNCILLOR Alan Clark’s disgust at the withdrawal of the Ministry of Defence’s objection to the Fleeter Wood wind factory project is shared by many of us. His reference to Cumbria having “fulfilled its European Quota” especially interested me.HOW glorious is the month of June!WHAT are the meanings of “college” and “academy”?I’VE been cleaning windows for several years in and around Workington and was approached by a few new customers requiring my services. I was quite taken aback when I discovered they wanted me to clean a new self cleaning glass.
Schools’ path is in a terrible condition
Published 19 June 2008
AS A person who is pleased to see your Keep It Clean campaign, I am writing to submit an area which is a huge grot-spot for litter, dog faeces and goodness only knows what else!AFTER reading Viv Paterson’s article on the cycle path work (Times & Star, June 6) that destroyed bird nests and habitats at Flimby, I was appalled at the work carried out on Eagle Ghyll Lonning. I WISH to convey the important information in the Environment Agency (EA) document on flooding in the Keswick area.I AM writing to voice my horror at the contents of the letter “Why The Fuss?” (Times & Star, May 30) in which Dorothy Biggins refers to a foetus as being ‘merely a lump of gristle, something that’s unaware of its existence.’
Don’t let the greedy fat cats dictate to their customers
Published 19 June 2008
IN this current situation of rising fuel costs, I was dismayed to receive from my suppliers of gas and electricity a letter stating that, for my convenience, my bills would in future be sent combined.THERE must be some explanation as to why teachers in some schools have taken a sudden dislike to dogs.IN THIS area we are blessed with a series of cycle tracks that are converted from old railway lines and footpaths. WHILE cycling in the Vale of Lorton I was amazed to see how much money has been wasted on repeat signs indicating that the quiet rural road through Thackthwaite is on a national cycle route.I DO hope I am spared the pleasure of being dispatched to hospital to be greeted by an aggressive, intolerant, status seeking, all powerful nurse.WHY ARE Allerdale authorities so mesmerised by supermarkets despite evidence elsewhere of harmful effects in many small towns?AFTER a fight of 13 years the government inspectors have finally given the go ahead for the wind turbine farm to be built at Fairfield Farm near Pica.I WOULD like to thank those people who took the time to vote for me in the recent by-election in All Saints Ward, Cockermouth.
Young people have rights that must be respected too
Published 12 June 2008
HOW unfortunate the Times & Star letters page provided yet another example of the vilification of our youngsters. YOUR report that Workington train station is to have its first toilet installed in its 122 years was incorrect (Times & Star, June 6).WHO on earth ever said Workington main railway station never had public toilets?RE the article ‘What a Loo after all these years,’ about Workington Railway Station, during my time I worked on the railway as a bridge and station painter covering Workington to Carlisle, Workington to Penrith, and Workington to Foxfield coast line 1956-1961.IN THE 60s a bunch of us had a sudden passion to join the Maryport Operatics. More a dare, we were not to know that we would have great fun. That year it was Pirates of Penzance, and the female chorus had to wear huge crinolines. The only way from the dressing rooms, in the Empire, to the stage was down a narrow spiral staircase which we could not manage with our huge hoops!WE FINALLY have it in writing from a government inspector that wind farms are looked upon favourably despite local opinion. "Harm and policy conflict must be weighed against the benefits of renewable energy," the inspector said about the proposed Pica wind farm. IF YOU didn’t vote in the local elections then stop moaning. If you are a groaner, however, you have every right to keep on groaning, for thTHIS IS the defining year of the Treaty of Lisbon, which , if ratified will sink the UK further into the morass of European political interference.
It is about a new club and new colours
Published 12 June 2008
ALTHOUGH I did not see the article that Dave Bowden referred to (Times & Star, May 30) I can understand the frustrations of true rugby league fans throughout Cumbria. JUDGING by the plethora of objects including the clock, which reportedly cost thousands of pounds, and the noisy hub, dotted around Workington’s town centre, it would seem Allerdale’s planning department is somewhat overstaffed by futuristic visionaries. Some, no doubt, possess masters degrees in fine art, which would explain the excess of these conceptual objects of so-called art.IT IS with regret that I have to announce the disbandment of the Inner Wheel club of Maryport.HOW nostalgically interesting it was to see all those pictures from the Queen’s visit to Workington in 1980 reprinted in last week’s Times & Star.IN ANSWER to Dorothy Biggins’s harsh comments on abortion (Letters, May 30) there are options: contraception or adoption.IN ALL the years that I worked on a ward dealing with the termination of pregnancies (abortion) I never once heard staff or patients refer to a foetus as a lump of gristle.
The wonder world that was The Palace
Published 23 May 2008
YOUR article relating to the Palace Ballroom at Maryport (Times & Star, May 16) brought back many memories about the role that this soon-to-be-demolished place had in the Maryport of 50 or so years ago.
Join us to help clean up
Published 22 May 2008
FURTHER to a letter on your page regarding litter, I have been asked to write on behalf of Soroptimist International of Cockermouth and District.
Visitors appear to be easy targets
Published 22 May 2008
ON APRIL 29 my daughter and I came to Cockermouth to visit Wordsworth House.
Wind turbines are weapons of mass extortion
Published 22 May 2008
ARE THERE no bounds to the arrogance, greed and stupidity of the wind farm vandals, for they now crave to desecrate the gateway to Blencathra and the Lake District with a mess of bird slaying wobbly wattage?
Abortion message wrong
Published 22 May 2008
I BELIEVE a less casual message about abortion is what this country needs.
Zero tolerance is coming to a street near you
Published 22 May 2008
ZERO tolerance New York style is coming to our nation’s capital and to a street near you.
Breaking vicious circle of drug abuse needs a better solution
Published 22 May 2008
DEEPLY though I feel for Jenny Martin in her tragic loss, I am convinced she reaches the wrong conclusion in believing that criminalising drug use is a solution.
Cockermouth council's cloud cuckoo land
Published 18 May 2008
LET US be grateful that Allerdale planning does not live in the same cloud cuckoo land that those on Cockermouth Town Council seemed to be inhabiting when they recommended refusal of the building of affordable housing on the old market depot site.
More consideration please
Published 18 May 2008
THIS is a plea for more consideration of other people. I suspect it will fall on the deaf ears of the female van driver who was delivering a parcel to Sedgwick's the vets in Cockermouth last Wednesday.
Blame the coach for Town's woes
Published 18 May 2008
I HAVE been a Workington Town supporter for most of my life, although over the last few years, due to work commitment, I was unable to attend matches, but last season I went to watch a game and really enjoyed it.
