Last updated 10:21, Thursday, 17 July 2008

SIR – I am a partner in a small family business in Whitehaven and the reason I’m writing this letter is that I have just been ticketed again by our over-zealous traffic wardens. My crime was parking outside our shop in our delivery van, emblazoned with our logo, outside our bright pink shop.

Did the warden ask us to move on? No! Did he give us a warning? No! He just proceeded to ticket the van, proving that this council is not interested in improving parking problems and more interested in stealth taxes.
This swiftly follows the ticket where I was parked in the loading bay for six minutes instead of five.
I may now be biased, but I am now asking the question, are traffic wardens contributing to the downturn in trade in Copeland and a factor in why there are so many vacant shops in Whitehaven? Also has Copeland Borough Council lost touch with reality and are they now motivated by greed? Over zealous traffic wardens and parking charges always on the rise.
It is time for the traders of Whitehaven to make a stand against these bureaucrats and ask what are the council doing for them?
My experience as a new business in the last year includes:
The refusal of CBC to offer recycling to businesses
The refusal of CBC to offer the same services to new businesses as they do to established ones
The refusal of CBC to offer parking permits to businesses
CBC informed me that if I advertised in the vacant window next to my shop, I would be increasing my shop frontage and they may increase my non-domestic rates.
The theft of a box of goods from outside our shop, when I reported this to the police they said it was a civil matter!
Vandalism due to the night-time trade, again the police were unable to help.
It is my opinion that over zealous traffic wardens put off businesses and more importantly deter shoppers from our towns. I also think CBC should look at its neighbouring borough Allerdale with regards to how it treats small businesses and customers alike. Copeland has the potential to be a Mecca for bespoke shops and individual shopping experiences, though unfortunately this would be in spite of CBC and not because of them.
Gary HAMMELL
Rose Budz
Duke Street, Whitehaven
Airport is key to boosting trade
SIR – Having just visited the Whitehaven area, I was delighted to hear of the proposal of the Carlisle Airport being upgraded to bring much needed business/traffic to the area.
After having travelled from Australia to Newcastle via Heathrow, and then another two-and-a-half hours by road to my destination, I thought that this was the best idea that could possibly happen.
Alas, this apparently is not to be. I know that there would be much work to be done and at great cost, think of the returns.
Many more travellers would be very happy to take advantage and reduce their travelling time, and have more time to spend in the beautiful Lake District.

The work it would generate, and the prosperity it would bring to the area. Come along Cumbria – get with it, move with the times before you get left behind.
Margaret DONALD
Perth, Australia

Did the digital dream turn sour
SIR – We were not so lucky after all when Whitehaven switched over to digital. In fact it is just a farce.
I bought a new digital TV 42 inch plasma screen. Most of the time the TV only gets BBC channels. Being a football fan I missed the European cup final.
I rang the Digital TV helpline who were not much help. The staff told me I would have problems for 12-18 months more. I would ask if anyone else has had any problem with Digital TV to reply to my letter.
D FREEGAN
Whiteschool Close, Kells

Credit Union was a saviour
SIR – This is a copy of a letter sent to Cleator Moor Credit Union:
I would like to thank you for your kind support you have shown me, in giving me an emergency loan, so I can travel to Newcastle daily to visit a friend who has had a heart transplant and has no family close by.
It is reassuring to know that genuine people can get help at short notice through the Credit Union. This is a community bank and savings and I feel strongly about people that take advantage of such schemes, by not repaying their loans and could end this worthwhile community scheme.
Once again I would like to thank all your staff at Cleator Moor for your help and support.
George ROBERTSON
Ennerdale Road, Cleator Moor

Outrage over British question
SIR – Are you English or British? This is the question asked by our esteemed MEP Brian Simpson in the local Labour Party propaganda freebie Egremont Today.
In the article he argues that the new bank holiday proposed centred around St George’s Day is wrong and he is “getting a bit fed up” with people pushing this day. He argues that he is British and that the rise of English nationalism is a bad thing, and even has the audacity after eleven years of Labour rule to blame Margaret Thatcher for the break-up of the United Kingdom.
What a joke, I think this article sums up the Labour Party, it was them that brought in devolution and it is them that have used their MPs for the “devolved” nations to ensure that legislation that only applies to the English was introduced.
I would agree that if asked the question when Labour came into power, the vast majority of English people would have said they were British, alas now most would not. But following ten years of the “English” providing vast subsidies to these “national parliaments” are the Labour Party actually surprised that the English are now starting to get a sense of frustration, betrayal and a growing sense that something is physically and morally wrong with the current situation?
Mr Simpson’s last question in his article was “What do you think?”…..I think they need to wake up and smell the coffee, because everything in the garden is not rosy.
Alan MOSSOP
St Bees
Pupils helped at flower festival
SIR – Further to your article about the Flower Festival at St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church, Egremont (The Whitehaven News, July 10) you omitted Bookwell Primary School from your list of establishments which provided exhibits.
Bookwell was, indeed, well represented, alongside the other two Egremont primary school whose contribution you reported.
I appreciate this opportunity to set the record straight.
Christopher ASHCROFT
Acting Headteacher
Bookwell Primary School
Answer not clear
SIR – Can anybody say why we have to sort glass by colour only for the council to mix it all up when emptying the bins?
D PICKUP
Ravenglass
Information on war wedding
SIR – In a recent letter published in this paper, I appealed for information regarding a wartime marriage between a young Egremont woman and a serving soldier, based at Nethertown Army Camp.
I have since leaned that the couple were Nora Hodgson and Percy John
South (who may have been known locally as Peter.)
Nora was a Naafi waitress at the camp, and Percy a driver and motor mechanic with the Royal Artillery. Nora lived at the School House in Egremont.
They were married at the Egremont Methodist church, in Main Street, on August 7, 1943.
Can anyone help me in tracing Nora or Percy, or any of their relatives and friends, or give me any information about them, hopefully a wedding photograph?
You can contact me on 01946 822 821 or the address below.
Ron FOWLER
13 Lakeland View, Nethertown, Engremont CA22 2UH
Nuclear waste answer is simple
SIR – I have followed, as best I can, the continuing debate over how best to store the steadily accumulating nuclear waste, now and in the future – given the recently-announced governmental commitment, to a fresh nuclear power programme.
And I really cannot understand what the problem is.
As I have already suggested (privately to Mr Tom Tuohy, since anything I said publicly would be, immediately rejected by the BNFL management): after suitable treatment, just simply put the stuff back where it came from: in the redundant reactor vessels, complete with their concrete shields – which, after all, were designed and built for exactly that purpose, ie keeping it out of “harm’s way”!
J TAYLOR
Dyke Street, Frizington

Show support for equal pay
SIR – We are writing this letter with regards to the lobbying of the MPs at the county council headquarters at Kendal to thank Jackie Franklin from Unison, also the MP, Mr R S Cole for speaking for us regarding our equal pay claim.
Every one of the carers who took time off to attend, even though we didn’t get a chance to ask questions ourselves, we think we left a lasting impression and a job well done in torrential rain.
We would like to make a point to our colleagues who didn’t attend eg Unison members who didn’t go, to make an effort for the next one very soon as this isn’t just for now but for future generations. This equal pay claim has gone on far too long and has so far cost the taxpayer one million pounds. We would also like to add that us carers are prepared to fight this until they listen to what we have to say, because at the end of the day the Council already has the money from the Government, but just seem to want to make interest on money that is rightfully ours.
The taxes we and other people are paying are being used by the council to fight against us with these appeals.
I hope the general public is behind us in this cause.
Cumbria Care workers
Positive press for our young
SIR – On July 7, Seascale Golf Club was host to over 120 young people aged between 13 and 18 playing in an inter schools county event. They came from as far south as Barrow and Carlisle in the north.
I would like to take this opportunity to say that their behaviour, manners and etiquette were impeccable and to thank them for making the day so enjoyable.
The youth of today get such a negative press that I feel the need to write this letter in support of the people who visited us on that day and would gladly invite them back in the future.
Mike SAUNDERS
House Manager, Seascale Golf Club
Shoppers show hospice support
SIR – May I through your columns thank everybody who supported our store collection in the Whitehaven branch of Tesco on June 27.
We raised £298.77 for Hospice at Home West Cumbria, a substantial sum that will give our funds a significant boost. Thanks also to the staff at Tesco who made us so welcome in their store.
Hospice at Home West Cumbria is a registered charity. We have to raise about £350,000 every year through voluntary contributions – fundraising, legacies and donations. We rely heavily on the support of the local people, so we may continue to provide the highest standard of care and support for our patients and their families. All of our services are provided free of charge to patients in their own homes within the West Cumbria area. This is only possible because of the commitment and support of the local community.
Income from this collection will be of great benefit to Hospice at Home, helping to maintain our Day and Night nursing service, Day Centres and Drop-ins. More importantly it will continue to allow patients with life-limiting illnesses the choice to remain in their homes, to be near their loved ones, and receive the care they need.
Gillian CHADWICK
Community Fundraiser
Hospice at Home West Cumbria
Roar of thanks for the carnival
SIR – On behalf of the Whitehaven & District Lions Club I would like to thank everyone who took part and supported the Carnival on July 5. Our thanks go:
to all those who helped create the imaginative and beautiful floats;
The children and adults who added such colour as they walked around the parade;
The judges who had the difficult task of selecting the prize winners - such was the high standard of entry;
The dancers who displayed great energy and entertained us all
The people who made the park a really great place to be
And last but by no means least the people who came to watch the procession and created a wonderful atmosphere as well as generously donating to the collection on the day.
Whatever we do, we could not do it without the generous donations and support that we get from the people of Whitehaven and district. Very many thanks to all those who continually help us to help others.
!f you enjoyed the carnival and would like to help in organising such events by joining the Lions Club please visit our website at www.whitehavenlions.com and click on the contacts link for details of how to get in touch. Alternatively we meet on the first Wednesday of every month at the Chase Hotel, Whitehaven and you can reach us there.
Lion President Esther CLEMENTS
Castle Close
Whitehaven
Sea Service was so moving
SIR – On behalf of the harbour commissioners I wish to thank all those who attended and supported our Sea Service on Sunday.
As you are aware the service was dedicated to our 300 years of our managing the harbour.
The event was greatly assisted by the Sea Cadets who made the collection for the Seamen’s Mission, a charity which we wholeheartedly support.
Representatives from local churches and from the Seamen’s Mission all spoke with the greatest sincerity.
Our grateful thanks also to Whitehaven Town Band who played with their usual quality and decorum.
The well chosen hymns, all of which had a Maritime connection, made this a most memorable occasion.
G E THOMSON
Chairman, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners
Don’t blame the grey squirrels
SIR – Cumbrian MP David Maclean’s call for a mass cull of grey squirrels in Cumbria to safeguard the reds is part of the ongoing hate campaign against grey squirrels which is grossly unfair and doesn’t stack up factually.
Red squirrels are at the edge of their range in the UK, which stretches from here to China, and all mammals are subject to population fluctuations in these circumstances. If we want to assist the reds to survive we should be improving their habitat by planting trees in which they thrive, rather than wallpapering the countryside with native broadleaves that favour the greys’ expansion. We should also be reducing our own intrusion into their domain.
There is no evidence that greys are transmitting squirrel-pox virus (SQPV) to reds as the presence of antibodies in greys merely means they have been in contact with the disease, most probably by associating with reds or possibly other rodents that were already infected.
The Forestry Commission have admitted that “no routine testing of live red squirrels is undertaken” and they “are not aware of any scientific evidence one way or another as to whether or not there is a resistant population of reds out there” so it is quite wrong for red squirrel groups to say that they have no immunity to the disease.
Early in the last century, out of 44 districts in England where red squirrels had the disease only four districts had grey squirrels present.
This suggests that SQPV has been within the red squirrel population for around a century at least and that grey squirrels are victims of a campaign of vilification.
All squirrels born in this country are “native” by birth, just the same as we are, irrespective of our colour, background or success. To rightly expect tolerance for our own population but condemn wildlife on the basis of its ancestoral background is extremely hypocritical.
For the greys’ side of the story read “Professor Acorn’s” website on www.grey-squirrel.org.uk.
Angus MACMILLAN
Meikle Boturich near Balloch
Dunbartonshire

Replace eyesores with some style
SIR – Beyond eliminating the eyesores of gross dereliction, unfortunately still defacing the town, one hopes those charged with enhancing Whitehaven's image will also consider demolishing all traces of hideously dreary 60s and 70s’ construction; replacing it with what is Whitehaven’s signature, namely classical Georgian architecture.
W SAUNDERS
Croslands Park, Barrow-In-Furness