Letters 
 
4:44pm Thu Feb 18, 2010
When this newspaper decided to salute the Mercians with a celebration luncheon to mark the regiment’s exemplary service in Helmand little did we envisage the tremendous response that has already come from local folk.
Should fast-food outlets do more to tackle litter problems


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11:00am Fri Feb 19, 2010
Many people took part in a pancake flipping contest in Newark Market Place on Saturday to raise money for Beaumond House Community Hospice.
A & E cut support defies public opinion
— (Dr) IAN CAMPBELL, The Grange, Averham Park.
There’s only one thing worse than not having the opportunity to voice your opinion. It’s being told your opinion does count, then having it ignored.

The decision by Newark and Sherwood District Council to support the downgrading of Newark Hospital A & E, endorsing the decision to close it completely between midnight and 7am flies in the face of local opinion.

In the space of a few short weeks thousands signed petitions protesting against the moves by NHS Nottinghamshire County to downgrade the A & E department.
Election launch
— RICHARD LAMB, Hawton Road, Newark.
David Cameron used the Conservatives’ Spring Forum in Brighton to launch their Vote for Change election campaign.

Given the state of the nation’s finances there will certainly be a time of change following the General Election when the country’s massive debt burden is tackled and the economy moves to some alternative fuel other than that of unlimited credit.

Whether local Conservatives will be campaigning hard on the message of voting for change is, however, another matter.
More care
— PETER O’MALLEY Byron Gardens, Southwell.
A wise builder always allows a sum for contingencies and we have learnt that earthquakes and inclement weather pay no attention to party manifestos.

We have got off relatively lightly in the Nottinghamshire County Council budget but the myriad of potholes in our roads will not be filled for free by the fairies.

Is the council’s budget “family friendly” to quote a senior politician? Or does that only apply to those of reproductive age?
Helping hands
— D. PRINCE, Balderton (Full address supplied).
When St John cadets put first aid skills to good use it shows how valuable their work is (Cadets Acted Fast To Help, Advertiser, February 26).
Climate action
— TRISH GURNEY, Main Street, Balderton.
I was worried to read that when the Conservative Party last month published a top ten list of reasons to vote for them, the environment didn’t even make the list.

Just a few years ago, David Cameron was urging us to believe that it was his top priority.

He even went to the Arctic to be photographed with a husky.
Hunting view
— JOE PHILLIPS, Windsor Court, Bingham.
Since the hunting ban more people are following the activity than before (On The Scent Of A Change To Hunting Law, Advertiser, February 26).

Could this be because they feel the cruelty has been removed and they are ready to take an interest?

Mr David Manning, one of the joint orgainsers of the South Notts Hunt, said: “When you read the act you see it was not written to protect the fox, hare or the deer. It was written to have a go at people the Labour Government thought they should have a go at.”
Show support for Spotlight Gallery
— JENNY HOLLIDAY, volunteer, Newark Town Hall Museum and Gallery, Newark (Full address supplied).
Relocating the Newark Town Council reception area to the second floor of the Town Hall would not only be inconvenient and impractical, it may well have an impact on the Spotlight Gallery.

This would have the effect of halving the exhibition space and reducing access.

The Spotlight Gallery brings in a fresh set of visitors with each new display because of the short-term nature of the exhibitions, the variety of their content and the wide range of artists, groups and institutions that are involved.
Well grounded
— CHRIS GRANT, The Park, Newark.
I write regarding the future of the Newark Town Council offices and the Spotlight Gallery in the Town Hall.

The town council was slow in learning the lesson from theatres where all box offices are readily accessible to the public.

The idea of ground floor council offices was discussed in the early 1990s but only belatedly was action taken and the administration brought down to its present superb position.
True value
— A. and E. EVANS, Whitfield Street, Newark.
We read in the Advertiser that Newark Town Council is considering moving its reception from the entrance of The Buttermarket to the Spotlight Gallery on the second floor.

We understand that the council needs to make savings in its budget in the coming year, but sincerely hope that this move will not jeopardise the Spotlight Gallery or, indeed, the museum as a whole.

As teachers in the area for the past 25 years, we are aware of the positive impact that the museum and gallery have had since they opened ten years ago, and of their educational and cultural importance to the town.
Rights of way
— PETER WHITE, Browning Road, Balderton.
Has it occurred to those authorities that may wish to impose an entrance fee that the Newark Castle grounds may have a public right of way?

There are three entrances (not including the Gilstrap Centre) so, in effect, there are three two-way routes through the grounds.

The Newark Navigation Commissioners and their lessees may also have a right of way on the path by the river side of the castle.
Chance to pay tribute to local regiment
— JOHN STEPHENSON, Marton Road, Newark.
The three-course lunch at Newark Showground on March 16 for soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment is a wonderful gesture by the Advertiser editor-in-chief, Mr Roger Parlby, and its co-organiser, the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society.

This will be a wonderful tribute to such a fine regiment following their return from their third tour of Afghanistan where once again they showed tremendous bravery.

I know how much this will be appreciated by their commanding officer and all ranks in the battalion.
 
MPs in credit
— D. ALLEN, Howard’s Gardens, Balderton.
Many people are so disillusioned with politics as a result of the antics of some MPs that they may well have even given up on voting as a waste of time.

However, what helps me avoid becoming cynical is the fact that in our local area we are fortunate in having two members — one Labour and the other Conservative — namely Patrick Mercer (Newark) and John Mann (Bassetlaw) who are a credit to the Mother of Parliaments.
Library change
— LOIS HIPKISS, Marrison Way, Southwell
Forgive me if I, and many like-minded residents, do not share the enthusiasm expressed by the manager regarding the introduction of self-service machines to Southwell Library.

I realise financial savings must be made by the county council, but it adds insult to injury when these are described as improvements.

As is clear from the introduction of similar schemes in other parts of the country, what it really means is that there is more flexibility for the library service to make staff cuts in the future.
Speed signs
— S. HOWARD, Balderton (Full address supplied).
I hope the interactive speed sign on Lincoln Road, Newark, has the desired effect (Speed-sign Victory For Residents, Advertiser, February 19).

I wish the campaigners every success as they strive to have the speed limit reduced to 30mph.

Interactive signs seem to have a greater impact on excessive speed than the threat of a fine posed by speed cameras.
Not so fast
— I. TURNER, Coddington (Full address supplied).
Well done to Newark’s Lord Ted pub for getting £100,000- worth of updates done in 48 hours (Refit Ends On Time, Advertiser, February 12).

What a contrast to the library being shut for three weeks to fit self-service booths.
Street closure for better shopping
— JOHN LIGHTWOOD, 20’s Plenty Action Group, Kirklington Road, Southwell.
It was with some dismay that I read the article, Unconvinced By Street Closure (Southwell Advertiser, February 19) in which some members of the Southwell Town Forum expressed rather negative views regarding the idea of closing King Street to traffic on Saturdays.

Our own survey conducted back in September 2008, and highlighted by the Advertiser’s edition of September 26, 2008, showed significant support for the proposal and near-unanimous backing from town retailers.

No-one suggested that the King Street carpark should be closed for this purpose as intimated in the latest article, and there is no reason why loading bays could not be used for the collection of heavy goods at the end of the street closure period.
Castle concern
— D. PRINCE, Balderton (Full address supplied).
We may live in desperate times but surely the idea of charging to enter Newark Castle is a step too far (Castle Entry Charge In Mind, Advertiser, February 19).

The gardens are a beautiful town centre feature and are popular with casual visitors and townsfolk alike.

You get a feel of the history of the place, but not a lot remains of the castle other than the main wall facing the River Trent. What that offers is a great view of the river and surrounding area.
Entry idea
— MARK ALEXANDER, Barnbygate, Newark.
So, Newark and Sherwood District Council is considering charging for entry into Newark Castle.

Only 652 out of 26,000 people in Newark responded to the council consultation but could stop the enjoyment of all those who, especially at weekends, sit in the splendid castle grounds.

Generations of Newarkers have enjoyed the castle without any cost.
Service slips
— ALAN REED, Gunthorpe (Full address supplied).
I was interested to read the letter regarding the continuing fall of standards at the gym at Bingham Leisure Centre (Gym Worry, News Views, February 19).

I have been a member of the gym for six years and I have also noticed the deterioration in the services.

I wrote a letter in response to a renewal offer from the gym management listing a few of the issues that I had with the gym, such as general lack of cleanliness and machines out of action for long periods.
Tip support
— J. MARSHALL, Newark (Full address supplied).
If councillor Mrs Gill Dawn wants to see less fly-tipping (Report Tippers Plea, Advertiser, February 12) she should support the latest plans for a household waste and recycling centre on Brunel Drive, Newark.

This will be a far more accessible location for the majority of Newark people than that presently available at Cotham and should really give a boost to local recycling levels.

We need to welcome and embrace this much needed community facility.
On the buses
— NIGEL STARBUCK, Carnarvon Close, Bingham.
Both Premiere and Trent Barton are to be praised for their excellent 15 minute bus services to and from Bingham to Nottingham.

However, there are complaints about the congestion that builds up when more than one bus is at the designated stops.

Currently both services are scheduled at the same stops at the same time and it is causing mayhem.
 

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