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Voters swayed by personal experience

Last year a furniture upholstery business on Albert Street, Newark, closed with the premises becoming a Polish food store.

That, perhaps, was a sign of the times.

Since its opening, I have noticed that the premises have twice suffered a broken window. This, perhaps, is another sign of the times.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was reading in the Advertiser about the latest set of crime figures that indicated that reported crime was down.

When doing the grocery shopping, filling up the car or getting a utility bill, I cannot help but notice how the cost of living is increasing.

Yet, the monthly inflation figures indicate continuing low inflation.

There is the old adage about statistics and damned lies.

One is certainly left wondering which is more relevant, personal experience or statistics.

Like statistics, election results are often open to interpretation.

The latest set of local government election results are for once, however, surely not open to the interpretation or spin.

The results were not only emphatic but point to the fact that for many voters personal experience rather than government statistics was the deciding factor.

— RICHARD LAMB, Hawton Road, Newark.

Parking notice

Having read the the article regarding the re-introduction of traffic wardens to Newark streets, it was laughable to read that their first week will be to issue dummy parking tickets (Park At Your Peril, Advertiser, May 2).

The signs have been up a week so why do the people who park illegally need any more notice? They know they are parking illegally.

Incidentally, whoever thought of the slogan: “Don’t take the P” regarding the no parking notices needs to get another job.

It is offensive to some and over the heads of others. Just say what you mean and don’t try to be clever.

On another matter, having visited the Collingham May Fair on Monday, my wife and I noticed three police officers present which, I’m sure, is right and proper given the number of people and traffic.

What was really strange was that all three throughout several hours of the afternoon remained joined at the hip, talking to each other and never leaving each other’s side.

Given that this was a community event, should they not have sought to mingle with us or do they feel there is only safety in numbers?

— WILLIAM PEACH, High Street, Collingham.

I agree that parking regulations should be enforced

If a law is not worth enforcing then it should be scrapped.

Newark, however, needs park- ing spaces and if people no longer park illegally then where can they park? If they can’t park in Newark they will go elsewhere and we all lose.

One obvious suggestion is to reconsider, quickly, the parking restrictions throughout the town.

During the period of parking anarchy it must have become quite clear to the police, highways authorities and councils that many of the restrictions were unnecessary.

Throughout much of the town no obstructions or disruptions were caused by the illegal parking.

Remove these unnecessary restrictions and enforce rigorously those that are needed and all our needs may be met.

We can park, we can shop and only those who park, not only illegally but also irresponsibly, will be prosecuted and they will receive no sympathy from other motorists.

— COLIN GREEN, Low Street, Elston.

Like John Talbot

I too regret the imposition of an imposter on our native culture.

Yet I also value our worldwide acclaim of being enthusiastic amateurs and the notional need for a knees-up at every opportunity introduced by the Norsemen.

I grew up in Cambridgeshire which, although strictly speaking is not part of East Anglia, remembers the true English saint, St Edmund, and not the Middle Eastern myths of St George which, like the Common Market, were forced upon us by foreigners.

That said, and given the current influx of immigrants, we may well need to adapt to such incursions.

Despite the dismally dire day, many folk in Ollerton thoroughly enjoyed the efforts of the sterling supporters of St George and eagerly await next year’s event.

Most of them, I suspect, would prefer to weather the weather of April 23 than that of November 20.

In an era of political correctness a few may even fly the flag of the white dragon beloved of Alfred The Great, Knut The Great and King Harold II.

— JOHN HARVEY, Potter Lane, Wellow.

Concern as fewer swans are seen

Mink are much nearer Newark than Beckingham (Mink Sighting Sparks Wildlife Fears, Advertiser, April 4).

I have this year seen a family group of two adult mink and four kits near the sugar factory, and last year, at about the same time, two adults and three kits in the same vicinity so they are present around Newark in increasing numbers.

The question I now ask is: Where have all our swans gone?

Last season I counted eight nesting pairs, and a few young single adult swans from below Kings Marina and the GNER bridge at Winthorpe.

One pair had five cygnets and others the more usual two or three, and as well there were mallard, teal and moorhen in reasonable numbers.

This year I have counted just one single adult swan and no pairs of swans at all on the same stretch of river.

Could the mink have got them all over the winter?

I personally doubt it, in spite of the well-documented ferocity these creatures have, and because of the swan’s great ability to defend itself.

No, I fear the cause of the absence of our swans is human consumption.

Swans are considered a delicacy by some of our eastern European residents, and I am sure that there must be a high probability of this being the real reason for the decline.

There have been reports of eastern European and other nationals killing swans for food in other parts of the country over the last few years.

Swans are protected by law. Anyone found guilty and convicted of harming or killing these beautiful, graceful, creatures, which all belong to the Queen, can face fines fines of up to £5,000 and six months in prison.

— PETER WINTER, Newark (Full address supplied).

Leading lady

The article, Pharmacist Retires After 53 Years (Advertiser, April 25) provided a potted history of Miss Elizabeth Whistler’s life as a Newark pharmacist and of all the changes she has witnessed.

Miss Whistler has been a marvellous ambassador for Newark and surrounding area.

Her knowledge, wisdom, old- fashioned values and courtesy have been so refreshing at a time when many shops are more interested in pound coins than satisfied customers.

Miss Whistler’s shop in Cartergate was always a joy to visit and the window displays second to none.

With the retirement of Miss Whistler, Newark has lost its first lady of pharmaceutical care.

— (Mrs) D. J. SNOWDEN, Hereford Avenue, Ollerton.

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