Open wards would be better in new West Cumberland Hospital

SIR – With regard to the article, Whitehaven News, October 15, about the rebuilding of West Cumberland Hospital, if the current plans go ahead it seems that private rooms with en suite facilities will be available on most of the general wards.

Last updated 29 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

A new golden age of rail?

SIR – I read with interest the comments regarding direct rail connections to London in Talkback and give my views as someone who has travelled regularly to the area since 1944.

Last updated 28 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

We’re right at the art of things

SIR – Just a few words to neutralise, hopefully, the inevitable ‘negative spin’ of the Letters Page (see Whitehaven News October 8 and 15).

Last updated 21 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

‘Councillor should be made to resign over his false allegations’

SIR – I am writing to demand Robin Pitt’s resignation from Copeland Borough Council. His behaviour towards council officer Neil White is unconscionable. SIR – I’m not an expert or involved in any way with Freeview or the BBC.SIR – Firstly may I thank you for publishing my letter regarding Freeview digital television. Secondly may I reply to the one or two adverse comments. No, we have not got what we asked for:SIR – The recent closure of the road junction at Rannerdale Road and Victoria Road, to facilitate much- needed road repairs, has highlighted some severe and potentially dangerous traffic problems in the area. The volume of non-residential traffic using Aikbank Road/Rannerdale Drive has been increasing steadily in recent years and has now reached a point where it is, quite frankly, dangerous to say the least. Local residents and an increasing number of young children in the area are at potential risk. SIR – Thank you for including an update on the progress of the Mission Church at Moresby Parks (The Whitehaven News, October 15). I’d like to reassure readers that a lot of careful thought and prayer over a number of years went into the process of deciding what to do with the building. It is by no means certain that a house will go on the site, although outline planning permission for a dwelling has been granted. SIR – I don’t know Copeland Council’s spin doctors but every time the council is criticised a Tory ambush seems to be blamed. Searching for family detailsSIR – I am doing a family tree and I am looking to find anything I can on an aunt of my wife’s. We don’t know her maiden name but she married a Harry Ellis from Shap. They lived in Penrith at the back of the Grey Bull pub. Harry worked at either Calder Hall or Seascale. He died quite a long time ago.SIR – With the party conference season over, we now start on the inevitable election trail for 2010. The country is crying out for change and reform to meet a new and difficult environment. We face major challenges to our economy, to our environment and to our security. Our political system is no longer meeting our needs and requires radical reform.SIR – May I through your column thank everybody who supported our store collection in the Whitehaven branch of Morrisons, from Monday 5 to Saturday, October 10, October 2009. I am delighted to inform you that we raised a super £1,686.99 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, a substantial sum that will give our funds a significant boost. A thank you also to the staff at Morrisons who made us so welcome in their store. Also a big thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time to assist with the collection, as without volunteers such collections would not be possible. SIR – Re: MacMillan Coffee Day, part of the World’s biggest Coffee Morning, Friday, September 25, St Bega’s Church, Bowthorn, Cleator Moor.

Last updated 21 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Lots happening at Whitehaven harbour so why no rescue boat?

SIR – Further to the recent fatality and rescues around Whitehaven Harbour, in your reports on these events I note that all the rescue boats were from St Bees, Workington and Maryport.

Last updated 15 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Digital TV losers: Having led the way we are now paying the price

SIR – Once again we in the country (Gosforth) are losing out with the number of TV channels on Freeview. We have now lost ITV3 and ITV4 from our relay transmitter, supposedly to enable more people to receive Channel 5.

Last updated 7 October 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Love it or hate it, we’d all like to see a regular Sunday train service

SIR – Oh dear! The train services from Whitehaven to Barrow last Sunday (September 27) provided a painful demonstration of some fundamental problems with public transport.

Last updated 30 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Shed light on this picture

SIR – I wonder if you or any of your readers could help me by throwing some light on this old photograph which was left by my late father. The picture bears the title “Home Rule Football Supporters” and must have been taken in the Whitehaven area sometime in the late 1900s. I am intrigued by the title of the photo and would like to know whether or not there was a Home Rule movement in West Cumberland in the early 20th century and where the football team supported by these lads was based?

Last updated 30 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

West Cumbria U3A

WHEN a town like Whitehaven has brought itself up to date so much over the last few years, it is important to remember the past and use it as a reference point for the present and future.

Last updated 30 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

No point in marketing an area which takes so long to reach

SIR – Re Business and Finance, page 10 of Whitehaven News dated August 27, I do agree with Mr D Banks regarding our road structure in Copeland and South West Cumbria in particular.

Last updated 23 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Head over heels about lovers of houndtrailing

Last updated 23 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Time to ask if there’s something rotten in the state of Copeland?

SIR – When a respected and long-standing councillor like Brian Dixon resigns from the Labour group because of intimidation then this shower are showing their true colours.

Last updated 17 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Albion Square: Could this be town’s flagship site?

SIR – I attended the introductory presentation of the proposed Albion Street development at The Beacon last week, led by Copeland Borough Council and West Lakes Renaissance. SIR – I agree with the first sentence of the letter from S Pollen (The Whitehaven News, September 10) that the future of the NHS and of health services in Copeland in particular should be at the top of the agenda for debate. Unfortunately that was almost the only thing in the letter which had much merit.

Last updated 16 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Something to smile about

SIR – The Crab Fair weekend, a traditional, fun-filled weekend for all the family. This annual event would be long-forgotten if it wasn’t for the support of local organisers.

Last updated 16 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Lives at risk when traffic chaos kicks in as result of road closure

SIR – I would just like to point out that while Inkerman Terrace is closed for road works someone will lose their life. Let me tell you why.

Last updated 10 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Road closure plans have taken a wrong turn before they even begin

SIR – Further to your report of last week (August 27) regarding the closure of Inkerman Terrace and Midgey for the road and footpath repairs.

Last updated 2 September 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

‘Councillor’s attitude to rural residents is wheely rubbish’

SIR – I found Coun Allan Holliday’s defence of the decision to discontinue the collection of refuse from the front of the homes of rural residents on unadopted lanes, unbelievable.

Last updated 26 August 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Why did it have to come to this?

SIR – I notice the machinery has been put into motion in order to demolish the Ehenside buildings. Why?

Last updated 26 August 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk

Using experts’ advice will make Copeland Council fit for purpose

SIR – Having seen the report in last week’s Whitehaven News I thought it would be worth writing to clarify what Copeland Borough Council is doing through its “Choosing to Change” programme. SIR – Work starting on Egremont’s new West Lakes Academy may well be held up (The Whitehaven News, August 13) but not by the bats. The problem seems to have come about because of the planners and developers not applying the rules and regulations correctly. SIR – Was it really necessary for Tory councillor Christopher Whiteside to humiliate himself by whingeing about not being allowed into a meeting? Is that all this man has to offer? SIR – I am afraid that, by saying “The community doesn’t feel it can influence what we are doing”, Coun Yvonne Clarkson (The Whitehaven News, August 6) is showing a glimpse of her age. The days of democracy in the UK are dead. SIR – How much money is being squandered, yet again, in consultancy fees? After an “in depth” survey (about 2.5% of the population) we hear “Councillors find way out of town centre’s traffic chaos” (The Whitehaven News, August 6).SIR – I hope our Energy Coast development will include some algae-related and micro-crops biofuel projects as I believe this area of the biofuel industry has a promising future, unlike the doomed biofuel industry that uses food crops such as corn. SIR – I recently took a trip to London to visit my daughter, part way down I needed the usual stop. On visiting the service area I was most disturbed when I saw the price of bottled water – £3.89 for the offending article which had the wonderful extra vitamins and (wait for it) Added Calcium splashed all over the label. SIR – As chairman of the Cold Fell Road Action Group, I am writing to you to express our appreciation for the tremendous support the group has received in favour of its recent proposal for a 40mph speed limit to be applied to the Cold Fell Road.

Last updated 19 August 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk