Want to air your views? Email us a letter by clicking here or write to us at: Letter's Page, Rugby Advertiser, 2 Albert Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2RS.

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Peace and love is all well and good but there must be consequences

In reply to the letter last week from the Rev. Mark Beach.
It is informative to note that some people in high office naturally assume that others who may not be in such privileged positions do not look at the whole picture. I have been involved in the local community for several years now, following advice from local police and councillors.
I could no longer stand for the mindless vandalism and violence in my neighbourhood. My letter was not a reaction to the headlines of the week before. I was pointing out the futility of soft touch tactics to deal with the current problem we have with a minority of youths.
I have recently been involved at the highest level with neighbourhood watch groups, the police independant advisory group and local and county councillors. Let me tell you something Rev. Beach. The reason for my anonymity is to prevent further attacks on my property and family. I have endured these attacks over the last three years, doing the right thing. reporting incedents, organising community groups etc - only to be let down by the authorities.
My family has come under attack on several occasions.These attacks were carried out by members of the featured gang or freinds connected to. As far as asking whether images represent the real person, why would anyone want to pose in such an abhorrent way unless they wanted to intimidate?
As for all being active members of society, Rev. Beaech, most of us in the real world want to live in peace but it is precisely this minority that is preventing us from doing that. I think that you need a reality check sir.
In your world of love and forgiveness, there needs to be consequences for actions. Action without consequence can only lead to further and worsening action. Can you not see that? If this minority of youths are allowed to carry on unchecked people are going to get seriously hurt or even killed. Oh sorry I am a little late with that one. My thoughts are at this time with the family of Paul Smith, and I hope the people responsible are taken to task.
I also wish Karl Jupp a speedy recovery.
My last thought is not very nice. It involves the public flogging and humiliation of any group of individuals who strive to undermine the structure of society. In my opinion there is no other answer. I am however open to suggestion.
One last thing to Rev. Beach. Please do not assume that because you are in a position of high office within the church that you can state my intentions or motivation when I sit to write a letter. Remember how the people have been treated in the name of religion over the last thousand years or more!!
Name and address supplied


What's the story behind £millions?

Firstly, can somebody explain, why, as a small market town, we even have £32.5 million salted away in god knows how many different international banks, the knowledge of which has to been held secret until it was finally dragged out of the local worthies, when last year we suffered double figure inflation through our rates to support a supposedly cash strapped council.
I feel the only interpretation for this jaw dropping information, is that we have been taken for a ride, a very expensive ride, the question now is, how long have we been lied to by the council when they annually plead for yet more cash to support their less than adequate services, and is there any other little matters they feel they could now get off their chest?
Councillor Humphreys arrogantly assures us the level of services will not suffer, which is a pity because most of us would welcome an improvement, yet avoids the obvious fact that having 'lost the council wallet in the street' he sure as hell will have to find a way of covering this loss by yet again dipping his hand into the rate payers pocket, personally I cannot wait for the excuses that we will have to swallow next year when the account books are found wanting!
Does anybody remember when the council emptied the bins, mowed the grass and earned the respect of the locals? How did we end up with this shabby caricature of what a publicly owned service provider should be?
What with the spurious behaviour of our central Government politicians at such a low ebb, what future do we have? Brace yourselves; we are all going to hell in a handcart.
Whats the capital of Iceland Councillor Humphrey? ...About £4.50 today!
G C Prewett (Mr)
Railway Street
Long Lawford
Rugby.


Left hand, right hand problem

MAY I, through your letters page, complain about the so-called 'super hospital' at Coventry?
Don't any of the nurses or doctors who staff the hospital talk to each other or to us?
Each time I ring them a different person answers, giving me some cock and bull story.
It appears the left hand hasn't a clue what the right hand is doing. If sometimes the staff are confused, spare a thought for the even more troubled patients. We have no chance.
My husband and I arrived at the Walsgrave site an hour early. Eventually, the barrier lets you into the 'rip-off' car park. We then waited two and a quarter hours only to be told (admittedly it was busy) we
hadn't placed our small piece of paper in the tray labelled with our consultant's name. No one told us about this. The maroon-clad orderly came out after we had enquired how long we would be to enquire if others had they put their slips in the tray.
Good job we spoke up. No notice at reception. No notice by the small table with the tray on it for slips of paper. They were short-staffed too.
We received excellent treatment from the doctors and their nursing assistants, but two days ago this same clinic wrote to my husband to tell him he must attend the dreary place again. It was an error. We found out after a phone call. What's going on?
There are lots of mistakes being made by clerical staff. Let's hope the doctors and nurses keep up the good work, or heaven help us!
My daughter works in the NHS and gets annoyed by people like me complaining. Nevertheless, she tells me I must pay privately if I want a specific, efficient service. But I get dedication and good care on the NHS, which I've helped to pay for already over the years.
Why should I pay (being a pensioner) again? I'll still insist on supporting the NHS. It's a marvellous institution, really.
Carol Hinks,
South Road,
Clifton-Upon-Dunsmore.


Remember the animals as well

PLEASE remember the animals and birds used on the front line in various wars this century and in research by wearing a purple poppy.
Send £1 to Animal Aid for your purple poppy to The Old Chapel, Bradford Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1AW or telephone (01732) 364546 or visit www.animalaid.org.uk
Janet Cummings,
Tower Road,
Rugby.


Clamouring for real justice

Your pseudo intellectual levity (last week's Editor's Viewpoint) is grossly tasteless when commenting on murder, and assault leading to murder. This arrogance is on a par with Ross and Brand (minus the foul language), currently and deservedly attracting daily deadlines.
My insistence that you may not publish any part of Without Fear or Favour letters is completely justified by your journalistic treatment of these most serious and frightening events. Judicial birching is never revenge. No judicial punishment is indicative of society's revenge. Desperate times demand extreme punishments as a deterrent. Judicial physical chastisement has a well-defined purpose of punishment and deterrent, understood by all age groups. Long-term psychological treatments must occupy second place to immediate, harsh remedies as the justice most of the general population clamour for. It is very well recorded that few miscreants return for a second birching. The Isle of Man is a good place to commence any research.
Your penultimate paragraph, commencing with 'But I know that none of this is the answer' should read 'But I feel that none of this is the answer'. Your implied insistence is that readers adopt 'blind trust' in your intrinsic 'goodness'. Your 'knowing', emulates Ross and Brand's arrogance and loutishness in communicating your somewhat excretory thoughts and views.
Your distortions must be legion among your discerning readers and your Mandelson-type spin, combined with your oh so political and painfully correct blandness, can only be viewed as a genuflection, favouring dumbed down and patronising establishment points of view. Yours despairingly,
V. Turner,
Hillmorton Road,
Rugby.
Ps. Isn't Freedom of the Press wonderful

Editor's Footnote: I have always complied with your 'insistence' that I should not publish any or any part of your acerbic 'Fear of Favour' letters, but I cannot see any mention of holding this one back, and so have given our readers the chance to benefit from your epistle. I feel sure that it has a good point to make despite it's personal and vitriolic attack of my professionalism and character. If I were to reply in like, I might comment on the pomposity or your diatribe, but I wont do that..
I don't pretend that the Press is free - clearly it is not. We are restricted in many ways and in many cases it can be seen to be justified in preventing excesses.
The biggest attempt at an insult that you do me is to suggest I am bland. Within the bounds of the law, this paper has sailed closer to the wind than many. I have not been a stranger to the watchful scowl of the Lord Chancellor's office in the past and I am pretty much on first name terms with officers of the Press Complaints Commission…
I know we could do more. With limited resources we are unable to challenge the courts over secrecy, over names, where and when cases are appearing, and we even struggle to cover court cases locally any more. I would love to be able to demand revelations under the Freedom of Information Act from local authorities etc, but this, except in unusual circumstances, is not to be.
We will continue to do our best for our community. I'm afraid you are stuck with us… and, I don't know how long for, but for the moment anyway …me.


Let's have some valid candidates

Local Government matters. While turnout often disappoints, what is seen through your pages is that when Councils get it wrong there is real pain and uproar. With this in mind I note the news that the bye-election in Avon and Swift ward will be fought in early December.
I hope we see good local candidates with a real stake in the Avon and Swift community coming forward to offer their knowledge and service. Rugby Borough Council has for too long been a playground for the political parties where carpetbaggers often predominate.
I would ask the voters in Avon and Swift to examine candidates' records and history to ensure that our Council is in all truth local and not officer-led. To get this we need intelligent and substantial figures seeking office.
Paul Holdsworth
Amelia Close,
Bulkington


Scanners are making a real difference

I would like to thank you for your coverage of the CT scanner which will soon be installed at the Hospital of St Cross. It is a very exciting opportunity for the people of Rugby and I would like to update them on the situation.
The MRI scanner is now scanning patients five days a week, which is a great improvement, and due to the excellent work of our staff, we now have the CT scanner up and running on the Rugby site two months earlier than we originally expected.
Thanks to all the support from our local community.
Carl Holland,
Hospital Manager,
Hospital of St Cross,
Rugby.


Rail passengers faced with a soaking

On the issue of protection from the elements at the new Rugby station ("Extra cover please..." letters 30/10/08), Rugby Rail Users Group (RRUG) is dismayed that the lack of shelter extends to all four of the new platforms.
Passengers travelling to London and Birmingham have only a small section of the platform under a canopy, while those bound for Northampton from platforms 3 and 6 have no cover watsoever.
Last Saturday evening during torrential rain I witnessed people running for shelter as they stepped down from the Birmingham train, surely not a civilised way to carry on.
Stephanie Clifford
Chair of Rugby Rail Users Group