West Cumbria must not be taken for granted by the Government

SIR – Jamie Reed MP has raised a real issue that faces West Cumbria now and The Whitehaven News editorial (“Why West Cumbria’s a good investment”) raised some very relevant points related to the problem he identified.

Last updated 19 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

No ‘Glory’, no brocken spectre

SIR – Unfortunately Bill Stainton makes the common mistake of assuming that the shadow of a walker cast on low cloud is a brocken spectre (The Whitehaven News, January 12). It isn’t.

Last updated 19 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Ask for the right reward – and end West Cumbria’s isolation

SIR – We all know the dump will definitely end up in West Cumbria, either new results will say the geology is suitable under Sellafield (even though Nirex walked away from the site) or it will end up under Black Combe or Scafell Pike.

Last updated 12 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Thank you from the chilly dippers

SIR – On behalf of our group I would like to say a big thank you to Sharon and Denver from the Wellington Bistro who again provided the soup and hot drinks to the New Year’s Eve dippers, also for allowing us to use the back room for changing. Their generosity is amazing.

Last updated 12 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

We need to work together and create a facility for community

SIR – On December 7, I attended a meeting of Copeland Council’s planning panel to speak on the need for the replacement of a community centre for the residents of Bransty.

Last updated 5 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Beau, Belle? It’s all in the (French) name . . . . . .

SIR – I was surprised to read in last week’s Whitehaven News column regarding baby names, the paper would actually print that the name ‘Beau’ is considered unisex.

Last updated 5 January 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Leading lights!

SIR – After reading about Mr & Mrs Fussell’s Christmas lights display, we decided to take our two grandchildren, aged one and three, to have a look on the Thursday before Christmas.

Last updated 29 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Bryson calls for new planning system to protect countryside

SIR – I would like to alert your readers to the continuing threat to the local countryside from the proposed reforms to our planning system, currently being finalised by the Government.

Last updated 29 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Bransty freight rail head would take Tesco lorries off our roads

SIR – I would suggest with respect, that the loss of the bus-rail hub is no big deal (“Transport hub plan scrapped,” The Whitehaven News, December 15).

Last updated 22 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Fantastic support for school

SIR – The consultation over the future of Captain Shaw’s School, Bootle, has now drawn to an end. The response from the local community and beyond has been tremendous in its support for the school.

Last updated 22 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Shameem is our superhero

SIR – As you reported last week, there is a Mokylympic superhero living here in West Cumbria!

Last updated 15 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Our unpredictable maritime area needs maximum rescue coverage

SIR – It’s not entirely a disaster to hear that a vastly slimmed down operation will survive at Merseyside’s closure-threatened coastguard station, but it’s flaming ironic that within days of this announcement a real-life disaster actually happened within the area.

Last updated 15 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

No faith in a Trust which has left our hospital propping up another

Last updated 8 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Heartfelt thanks to thousands who sent shoeboxes of love

SIR – We are delighted to tell your readers that 3,891 lovely gift-filled shoeboxes were sent to children in Crimea, Ukraine, last week. What a fantastic result, showing how generous and kind-hearted West Cumbrians can be, even in uncertain times when people are having to be very careful with their money.

Last updated 8 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Fond memories of old days

SIR – Over the last 25 years, I have been a regular visitor to your area, apart from the last few years due to moving house and various domestic situations.

Last updated 1 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Street parking a shambles – and no one appears to be responsible

SIR – I write about this subject as many others have. Despite recent concerns, especially from the shop keepers, it is clear that Copeland BC has completely ignored these concerns as the situation has gone from bad to worse.

Last updated 1 December 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Letters extra

Last updated 24 November 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Shoppers driven out of town as motorists are used as cash-cows

SIR – Copeland Council’s decision to increase car parking charges is yet another blunder. As usual the motorist is being used as a cash- cow, a simple method of obtaining extra revenue through the line of least resistance.

Last updated 24 November 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk

Don’t let negative news taint your view of hospital – it is excellent

SIR – It is right to highlight the unacceptable situation regarding potential ward closures, job cuts and indecision relating to a replacement hospital. However along with all this dreadful uncertainty, a serious problem has developed in that staff morale is suffering badly and public confidence in the service has been damaged.

Last updated 17 November 2011
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk