Spalding Guardian letters - February 7, 2019
TOILETS
We need proper attendants back
We noticed (with irony) that a `deep clean' is being undertaken to the public toilets in town.
Several years ago the toilets in the Sheep Market were given awards for cleanliness and for being well maintained. This was due to the father and son team of attendants whom were there to oversee the facility.
The council decided to replace them (in a 'cost cutting' exercise) with a roving team of cleaners. Resulting in soap dispensers being vandalised; discarded disposable razors, etc.
The toilets adjacent to the bus station appear to be closed due to vandalism more often than being open.
We recently visited this facility, only to find faeces spread liberally over the toilet seat in one of the cubicles!
For many older residents, people waiting for a bus and visitors to the town, closure is not an option.
Surely the savings on attendants is by now far outweighed by the increased costs of cleaning and constant repairs.
Any amount of 'deep cleaning' and/or closures is no solution.
P Weyell/M Moore
Gosberton Risegate
CONCERTS
Good news that shows will go on
As members of the Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding for the past ten years, we were very pleased to read in the Spalding Guardian (Jan 31) that the apparent uncertainty of staging free concerts at Ayscoughfee Gardens is over.
This good news follows a renewed commitment to organise such events , with the South Holland District Council Communities team having confirmed to Forum members that the traditional Sunday concerts would continue to be staged throughout the year.
With the Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding we have performed annually at such free concerts, raising considerable funds from audience donations for local causes, and have always received a wonderful turnout and generous response, in spite of the changeable British weather. Thank you Spaldonians!
It was therefore with surprise, and some regret, that we also read that District Councillor, Angela Newton, had queried whether the concerts would survive because - "they had ceased to be the regular event people had come to enjoy" - ( SPG Jan 31).
The orchestra's booking team has currently applied for two concert dates for this year, and we wait in hopeful anticipation of those bookings being confirmed soon.
If we succeed in securing the dates we can assure our audiences of an enjoyable musical experience once again in these glorious gardens, of which we should feel so proud . Past concerts have always indicated to us that such free events, spanning varied musical tastes - brass band, folk or ukulele - still remain a very worthwhile and enjoyable experience for local people of all ages.
Jo and John Baguley
Ukulele Orchestra of Spalding
It would be sad if we lost this entertainment
It was very disappointing to read Coun Angela Newton's sweeping statement regarding summer band concerts in Ayscoughfee Gardens (Spalding Guardian, January 31).
Perhaps audience numbers did fall last year, as no information was forthcoming until late summer, when a list of three concerts suddenly appeared (one of which had already taken place). Given the difficulty of trying to ascertain when, or if, any bands would be playing, perhaps when the belated list did appear, many people had already made other arrangements.
It would indeed be sad if Spalding lost this leisurely, enjoyable afternoon entertainment.
Bee Nowell-Smith
Spalding
BREXIT
'No deal' must be a firm option
Craig Jackson’s letter 22/01/19, is absolutely right, in the time we have left until we leave the EU on 29th March – the Government and Parliament must ensure that the ‘No Deal’ option remains firmly on the table, and the UK continues to prepare for a managed No Deal. This will give us the best possible bargaining leverage for a Free Trade Agreement with the EU; and if such a deal cannot be reached then we will be ready to leave on managed WTO terms.
The other option for a trade deal is the Super Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This would take up the EU’s March 2018 offer of a FTA that would respect the UK’s priorities, and allow us to develop a truly independent trade and domestic regulatory policy.
Under this FTA, the Government would propose to amend the legal text of the Withdrawal Agreement to remove the backstop. Current technology and administrative procedures will be used to deliver an invisible and compliant border in Ireland. No new infrastructure or checks at the border will be required, as previously outlined by the EU and by the government of the Republic of Ireland. The ‘Super Canada Deal’ would deliver a real Brexit; taking back control of our laws; borders; and economy, allowing us to become a global free-trading nation once again.
This is the right plan to respect the referendum result and lead us to a more democratic and prosperous future. These are not just abstract proposals, but a ready-to-go legal text that can substitute sections of the current Withdrawal Act.
The EU wants us to take up their 2018 Super Canada offer and our MPs owe it to the millions who voted for a clean Brexit in 2016 and again at the 2017 General Election. Now, lets move forward together and celebrate Taking Back Control of our country on 29th March, 2019 - as an independent, self-governing, outward looking, global trading nation.
Angela Skeels
Holbeach
COLUMN
Comments have only added to the demonisation of immigrants
I read the latest Hayes in the House (04/19) with interest. I was extremely pleased to see Sir John argue against the demonisation of those EU immigrants, who are driving the local economy. The high local employment rate is surely a testimony to how needed they are by local farmers and distribution centres.
It is a shame, therefore, that he seems unable in his column to distinguish between the cultural impact of extreme Muslims and fellow citizens of the EU. Furthermore, his assertion that "When people arrive here, they must quickly learn to abide by the rule of law, respect the civilities which characterise our way of life, and to speak English"
is, to anyone with a clear understanding of both English and the tricks of rhetoric, the condemnation of immigrants by association. Unless that is, he believes the Catholic church to be some form of terrorist organisation. I'm reassured though that Sir John's involvement with the security of Ulster, like mine, will have made him aware of how much the preservation of peace in Ireland depends on a dialogue with all sides, and not just the DUP.
I'm sure that given his role in Parliament he has access to the relative offending rates of different national's in his constituency, and I wonder if he would be prepared to share that with your readers? Perhaps a simple analysis of cases in our local courts would suffice? It is, in any case, an irrelevancy to his argument in favour of a return to the SAW. That, incidentally, is not to say that SAW could not form part of a post Brexit solution, along with remaining in the Customs Union
It is indeed true that our immigration system should be fair. Some would also argue that the government consistently failed to put in place the immigration controls allowed to, and followed by, other EU states.
But I am afraid in this case Sir John has shown a complete failure to appreciate the contribution immigration has made to both our culture and our economy and has only added to their demonisation.
James Finister
Moulton Eaugate