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5:10pm Wed Jun 12, 2013 THE case of Lee Christie is a chilling reminder of the online dangers children can be exposed to. With internet access so widely available through PCs, laptops, tablets, phones and games consoles, protecting youngsters from the vile intentions of predators like Christie is of paramount importance.
3:47pm Wed Jul 13, 2011 Thousands lined the streets of Newark on Sunday to watch dozens of local groups and organisations take part in the carnival parade. |
Disabled defence
— MAX NOTTINGHAM, St Faith’s Street, Lincoln.
Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson, the paralympian, is doing a great job defending the disabled against coalition government harassment, whilst Iain Duncan Smith’s department is causing misery by making the long-term disabled face repeat examinations.
It has been said the disabled are being treated worse than prisoners. How sad that is.
Expect cuts
— (Dr) IAN CAMPBELL, The Grange, Averham Park.
King’s Mill Hospital’s deepening financial problems are a grave cause for concern. Its financial ill-health is now on the critical list.
With growing PFI debt, escalating staff payment costs (predominantly agency fees) and fewer patients electing to have surgery there, senior management are left with only one option: reducing cost.
This has stark implications for all those who use, or might in the future need, King’s Mill Hospital.
No dangerous roads, just bad drivers
— D. UNDERWOOD, Newark (Full address supplied).
I’m sick and tired of constantly reading that our local roads, and in particular the Farndon roundabout, are dangerous.
As a driver for some 57 years (and accident-free to boot) I would say there are no dangerous traffic islands or roads.
But there are a lot of idiots, buffoons and bumpkins who are persistently bad drivers and are constantly blaming traffic islands and roads for their shortcomings and bad driving habits.
Layout problems
— ROGER BEEDHAM, Cardinal Hinsley Close, Newark.
I agree 100% with driving instructor Mr Steve Foster (Roundabout One Of The Worst, Says Instructor, Advertiser, March 8) regarding the A46 Farndon roundabout.
There is a very similar, badly laid out roundabout, a few miles up the road at the A1/A46/A17 junction.
Judging by the amount of vehicle debris on this roundabout minor shunts are happening almost every day.
Hitting heights
— NATALIE HICKINBOTTOM, London Road, Newark.
I want to say a huge thank-you to all involved in Newark Festival. We had a great time and there was a lovely atmosphere all weekend.
My family and I enjoyed browsing the stalls in the Market Place on Saturday. I bought some amusingly-named beer for my brother’s birthday.
On Sunday my children loved the rides and giving Peppa Pig a big hug, but the highlight for my husband and I was the Sunday evening.
On parade
— JOHN STEPHENSON, Marton Road, Newark.
It was a privilege to be asked by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Merlita Bryan, to attend a reception following the homecoming parade for the Queen’s Royal Lancers.
After six months on the front line in Afghanistan, these gallant soldiers were warmly greeted with cheering and tremendous applause, led by the heavy cavalry and Cambrai band as they entered the Old Market Square, Nottingham.
It was a very special and emotional day for their families and supporters showing gratitude to one of our local regiments.
EU rules
— D. HINCHLEY, Acacia Road, Balderton.
When we joined the European Union it was for trade only.
But it is now interfering with the way our country is run.
It is demanding to demand crippling VAT hikes on everyday goods, four-fold tax rises on gas, electricity, heating, oil, water, and kids’ clothes.
MP should resign to allow by-election
— PAUL GREEN, Beacon Way, Newark.
Should we really be surprised to hear that yet another MP has, allegedly, been caught using his privileged position to line his own pockets?
Perhaps not, but in this instance we are talking about our own MP, Mr Patrick Mercer (MP Fighting For Political Survival, Advertiser, June 6).
Mr Mercer has resigned the Tory whip, but has said that he will continue as an independent MP until the next General Election in 2015.
System overhaul
— JOHN FREEMAN, Tinsley Close, Claypole.
That Newark’s MP is disgraced because he allegedly failed to declare a payment on time rather misses the point of greater concern.
The Sherwood MP, Mr Mark Spencer, says he is approached by lobbyists all the time and that cash payments to him “will be declared and don’t buy influence” (Approached By Lobbyists All The Time, Advertiser, June 6).
If a payment is to ask a question or raise a point with a minister, influence has been bought.
Integrity question
— JOHN WHITTAKER, Hounsfield Way, Sutton-on-Trent.
I was shocked and saddened to see the behaviour of Newark MP Patrick Mercer on the Panorama programme.
I had previously thought Mr Mercer to be an honourable man and I fail to see why he felt the need to give his time and support to a dictatorship in Fiji with a very poor human rights record.
He may have been a very good MP for Newark, but this now puts his integrity into question and I don’t see how he can continue to represent us.
Money matters
— PETE KAVANAGH, Millgate, Newark.
I do not wish to judge Patrick Mercer on the legality or otherwise of the money he took from Panorama’s fake lobbyist — that is for others to determine.
One of the things I wish to comment on, however, is his resignation from the Tory party “to save them any embarrassment.”
I would also like to comment on what he charged the lobbyist for his work.
Matter of honour
— WILLIAM HOWKINS, Low Street, Collingham.
The Prime Minister commended Patrick Mercer for resigning the Tory whip and referring himself to the Parliamentary standards commissioner as an honourable thing to do.
The questionable actions of Mr Mercer have, more importantly, disenfranchised his constituents.
He can now have hardly any influence on matters that are important to those who elected him, and they should rank far higher than those who selected him.
Limited concern
— STUART WHOMSLEY, Hawton Road, Newark.
I was disappointed to hear that Patrick Mercer was only concerned about the embarrassment that he may cause to his political party, and so resigned the whip, yet seemed to care nothing for the embarrassment he has brought to our town, and that he plans to remain our MP until the next election.
He seems to be working his way through a checklist for a disreputable politician: unpleasant comments about race, alleged inappropriate behaviour with a secretary, and now, allegedly, cash for questions.
In other times he would have been stripped naked, tarred and feathered, tied to a donkey and the donkey given a good slap to set him on his way... to Fiji.
Party policy
— PETER WESTON-DAVIES, chairman UKIP (Newark branch).
I believe that Mr Goodyer (Change Focus, News Views, June 6) has missed the fundamental tenet of UKIP.
Our primary aim is the re-instatement of the freedom of the political rights of the UK population via the restoration of autonomous governance to the Westminster Parliament.
We are concerned, primarily, by the spectre of control of these rights by a European Commission that basically has no direct sanction or mandate from our own electorate and is self- elected.
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Top priority
— FRANCIS TOWNDROW, chairman, Say Yes to Newark Hospital.
In the House of Commons on May 21 the Labour MP John Mann said: “despite my warning in this chamber, this government closed Newark accident and emergency department, as a consequence of which there has been a 37% increase in deaths.’’
Peter Jones (Any Interest? News Views, June 6) wrote asking: “We now have the return of a Labour majority at Nottinghamshire County Council but why should NHS be high on their priority list?’’
Given what John Mann has said on mortalities, perhaps the question posed by Peter Jones has already been answered.
Get in touch
— CRAIG DAY, lead governor, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, email [email protected]
I would like to thank residents across Newark, Ashfield and Mansfield who have written to me over recent weeks about the experiences they have had at King’s Mill and Mansfield Community hospitals.
Having read the letters I have arranged a meeting with the chief executive of the hospitals and will be discussing the issues you have raised and planning action to get these resolved.
I will also be passing on details of things the hospitals have done well.
Gates clash
— JOHN LIGHTWOOD, Southwell (Full address supplied).
The high-handed manner in which the Southwell Racecourse management has erected steel gates at either end of the racecourse road demonstrates an appaling antipathy towards the benefits of access to this road for members of the communities of Southwell and Rolleston.
For over 30 years residents have used this former rail cutting for what might be described as low impact leisure use on one of the few safe pathways in the area — mothers push buggies, children learn to cycle and the elderly can walk on a flat surface.
As Councillor Dobson stated (On Course For Conflict, Advertiser, March 21) where there may have been problems with boy racers in the past, the installation of low level barriers made absolute sense rather than the draconian measures now in place.
Campaign credit
— CHRIS ADAMS, chairman, Newark Local Liberal Democrats.
Well done to Alison Holmes and the mums and dads who use the Old Station Nursery in Newark, and to many thousands more parents around the country for organising a petition against proposed higher child/staff ratios in nurseries (Backing For Childcare Campaign, Advertiser, June 6).
The government has been listening to the concerns and Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats have now confirmed that the proposed changes will not go ahead.
It remains a priority of the Liberal Democrats to deliver better quality, more affordable childcare at a time when money is very tight, but these proposals were criticised by parents, providers and experts alike.
Thanks to...
— JANET MUMBY, Farndon (Full address supplied).
... all the passers-by for their help after I had a nasty fall in Newark last Wednesday, especially the lady who went to Waitrose to alert my daughter, the couple who helped me up, the paramedics and Charlene at Costa Coffee.
I was overwhelmed by the amount of kindness I received.
I am now slowly on the mend.
More thought urged on home design
— S. C. MCCARTHY, Newark (full address supplied)
As part of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Local Development Framework, Mr Roger Blaney is seeking input from residents and others on the “more detailed aspects” of affordable housing to be built in Newark (Advertiser, May 16).
We are told there are 5,300 people on the housing register needing accommodation.
Some will require local authority/housing association rented accommodation and some, eventually, will be seeking properties to buy.
Service fears
—DUNCAN NELSON, Friary Mews, Newark.
I looked up the local citizens’ advice bureau telephone number and attempted to telephone the Newark number.
The phone registered as either not working or disconnected so I looked up the address on the internet and went there, only to find a locked door and a doorbell that failed to elicit a response.
Posters on the door referred me to the Ollerton branch and supplied a telephone number.
Change focus
— ERIC GOODYER, High Street, Colsterworth.
The latest YouGov poll puts Tory support below that achieved by Gordon Brown at the 2010 General Election for the first time.
The Conservative Party is tearing itself apart again over Europe, when what the public wants it to focus on is delivering economic growth, which it has failed to do for three years.
UKIP achieved 23% of the national vote (according to the BBC) and came third in the county council elections, beating the Lib Dems.
Food for thought
— Mrs Patricia Wilcox, Nottinghamshire Federation of WIs, Beast Market Hill, Newark.
What a pity Eric White (Priced Out, News Views, May 16) and Mrs Linda Jordan (Food Failing, News Views, May 23) didn’t manage to visit the WI Area in the Lady Eastwood Pavilion at the recent Nottinghamshire County Show.
Here, they would have found tea at 80p, coffee at £1 and bacon cobs at £3.
As usual, the ever-friendly WI ladies had baked a variety of cakes as well as hot meals, all using locally-produced Nottinghamshire produce.
Thanks for help
— KEVIN SWEENEY, Wright Street, Newark.
I would like to thank all the emergency services, and all the people who helped with overnight accommodation at the Grove Leisure Centre, Balderton, and for providing us with food, drink and warmth following the explosion on our street.
Also to Nottinghamshire County Council for arranging our short stay at the Premier Inn, Newark, with the food, drink and taxis again paid for.
There was nothing they didn’t take care of.
History search
— Rob Rooker, Ipswich.
Did you serve with 152 (Hyderabad) Squadron at any time between 1940 and 1967, or did your father or grandfather serve with them?
For many years the squadron has been looking for a home so everything we have put together is available for everyone to see, read and hear about.
We have finally found one and are hoping to put together the squadron’s history for future generations.
Any interest?
— PETER JONES, Farndon (full address supplied)
May I applaud the effort you take in publishing the different views of campaigners and the Newark CCG in respect of Newark Hospital.
Is it an issue that the people of Newark and their representatives regard as important?
Bassetlaw Hospital was saved from a similar fate as Newark because of the actions of their MP, Mr John Mann, and their representatives at County Hall, in particular Labour leader Alan Rhodes.
Extend services
— (Mrs) D. LANGFORD, Marlborough Close, Newark.
In response to Jayne Mason (Positive Thoughts, News Views, May 9) no one is saying that Newark Hospital has a bad reputation. On the contrary, it is a very good hospital but it is being under-used.
I, along with other campaigners, am fighting for more to be done there.
We have a lot of empty beds at Newark Hospital, while, conversely, other hospitals have a shortage.
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Newark Carnival 2011