Letter writers from Stamford, Spalding, Grantham and Rutland share their views with LincsOnline
Readers have once again had plenty to say on what’s in the news.
Here we share some of the letters, emails and comments that have come in over the week, including this cartoon from John Elson.
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
Jigsaw sale will help daffodil trail
The collection of jigsaw puzzles is going at a pace with more than 100 collected so far for the jigsaw sale to be held on March 28, 29 and 30 at our home at 15 Lonsdale Way, Oakham.
The sale is in aid of Oakham in Bloom’s extension to their Daffodil Trail and has already attracted a lot of interest.
Some puzzles are assembled by volunteers and are numbering about thirty at the moment of writing. There will be children’s puzzles for the under fives displayed on a separate table. These help with the child’s development and helps with dexterity and concentration.
Also, there will be completely new jigsaws for sale kindly donated by Gates Garden Centre as part of their support to the event. These will make ideal gifts for Mothering Sunday.
The sale will be held between 10am and 3pm each day and if the weather is kind, for a small donation perhaps visitors will be able to view the extensive collection of daffodils in the garden. Although not all will be in bloom, but we can boast of 37 varieties so far. In fact, I carry a list when I buy more as I cannot remember every name, I have a long way to go as it is reported that 26,00 varieties exist so far worldwide.
Thanks are extended to everyone who has helped with this project, and it is hoped to raise money to buy more daffodils to be planted throughout the town in the Autumn by Oakham in Bloom volunteers.
We can provide more details on 01572 755718.
Bob and Joyce Lucas
Oakham
Thank you for returning flowers
Thank you to the kind person who returned my mum’s memorial vase and artificial flowers to her grave this week at Stamford cemetery. The vase and contents disappeared about six weeks ago, I replaced with identical flowers which I think helped them identify where they belonged. I had assumed that maybe someone needed them more so was very surprised and pleased to see them returned.
So it's a big thank you from me and dad.
Sue Lancaster
Stamford
And for helping after fall
Please could I say thank you to two ladies who helped me near the Take Away shops on Cambridge Road at around 8.35am on March 4, when I tripped on a kerb and bruised both knees and sustained a nasty gouge across my hairline. They mopped me up many times, so gentle and caring bless them. One phoned my son in law to come to take me to the Minor Injury Unit at Stamford Hospital where I was glued and steri-stitched together. I was too shook up to ask their names.
Jean Symonds
Stamford
Production was great
What a fabulous night again at Shoestring’s production of A Taste of Honey. My friend and I always enjoy every one we attend and we make a point of seeing them all. Everyone on stage was so good to watch and all played their parts brilliantly.
The highlight for me was the FABULOUS singing of Ali Cooper, I loved her voice and she was ably accompanied by Andrew, David and Mike.
Jennie Sharman
Deeping St James
Traffic is always jammed up
I was so pleased to retire to a small market town just over 20 years ago. When 'the locals' complained about the volume of traffic I chuckled and walked calmly over near empty streets.
Now, can I be called a local, I wonder?
I am complaining about the traffic jammed, overparked streets of Stamford. Many now diverting through the narrow side streets (now because of parked cars really one way streets) so my escape routes are no more.
But never fear our councils have this under control. More car parking, for those that are searching for them and not just looking to get from a to b. I can only imagine that with the thousand (?) of new houses to be built they will insist on them have large garage, for 2 cars, and car parking facilities on site, as well as their on charging points, insulation and solar panels.
But with cars larger, and more, cars I am certain that they will have ideas for widening our roads. They will probably be scrapping all green verges, and, narrowing footpaths in the centre of town. Of course they know that the lampposts will have to be moved back as well. Well they must have some plans for the extra population and the number of cars that they will most certainly have. Surely they had plans to rehouse the cars in the garages they are pulling down to build more houses, didn't they?
I never saw so many cars jumping red lights in London as I now see is Stamford, but the police will sort that out, after the first serious accident, won't they?
Never mind, till then, we all just have to have more time, more fuel or electricity, and eventually we will get to our destination.
George Hetherington
Stamford
Crossing gate came down early
I'm sure the late David Meads (a previous regular contributor to the letters page on all things railway orientated) would be able to tell me, but why oh why do the level crossing gates at Hawthorn Bank, Winsover Road, Park Road and Woolram Wygate come down so early before the train arrives.
I had cause to drive down South Drove towards Spalding Common, only to see the level crossing gates come down, so I stopped and switched my engine off expecting the usual long time delay before the train arrived and the gates went up again.
However, no more than 20 seconds after the gates had dropped did a freight train appear and then when passed, the gates were up again causing hardly any disruption to the traffic flow.
If this is possible at the South Drove crossing, why isn't it possible at all the other crossing gates that dissect the towns vital road arteries to avoid all the traffic congestion that results from the gates being down for so long before a train passes?
Someone must be able to answer this surely?
Rob Gent
Spalding
Price cap hike condemned
The National Pensioners Convention roundly condemns the latest 6.4% increase in the price cap on fuel bills announced recently by energy industry regulator Ofgem.
With millions of older and vulnerable people already struggling to pay for basic utilities, we call on the government regulator to do its job and stand up for consumers, particularly at a time when energy firms are raking in billions in profits.
Ofgem’s higher than expected rise in the price providers can legally charge customers will see the average household energy bill rise by £111 a year [ £9.25 extra a month ] to give an annual total of £1,849.
The regulator says rising wholesale costs of oil and gas, as well as inflation are behind the latest hike, the third consecutive increase in the quarterly cap.
Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the NPC said: “ Ofgem and the government are clearly not listening to the millions, including our oldest and most vulnerable, who simply cannot afford these continual hikes in the price of basic essentials like energy. There is no way that the triple lock rise on state pensions this April will replace the loss of the winter payment and cover the cumulative increases in bills for everything from energy to food.
“ This round robin of increases will see many more older and vulnerable people switching off their energy to save money. Whilst we might be hoping for temperatures to start to rise in April, there is no guarantee, and those with high level health needs will be worst hit by this announcement. In our view Ofgem has yet again failed to protect UK consumers. The NPC will be submitting our views to the government consultation on the future of the regulator, because there is no doubt that it requires some fundamental change.”
Research by Citizens Advice suggests 6.7 million in England, Wales and Scotland are now in debt to their energy supplier, with official figures showing nearly £4bn is owed. Fuel poverty campaigners 38 Degrees has also found that half of those questioned in a new poll believe Ofgem is failing to protect consumers.
Almost 70,000 members of the public have signed a 38 Degrees petition-https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/ofgem-for-consumers-0325- in collaboration with NPC, Warm This Winter and Fuel Poverty Action.
The petition calls for the Government to:
* Make Ofgem a true consumer champion, holding suppliers to account for bad practice, ending the revolving door of energy bosses making decisions, and not making consumers foot the bill for firms going bust.
*Reduce bills to fair and affordable levels that meet people’s needs, removing protections that guarantee profits and bonuses for energy companies.
*Make sure everyone automatically gets the best energy deal and customer service they need and protects vulnerable people from profit hungry suppliers. Gas prices will be capped at an average of 6.99p per kilowatt hour [kWh], and electricity at 27.03p per kWh, up from 6.34p and 24.86p respectively. A typical household uses 2,700 kWh of electricity a year, and 11,500 kWh of gas. Households on pre-payment meters are paying slightly less than those on direct debit, with a typical bill of £1,803.Those who pay their bills every three months by cash or cheque are paying more, with a typical bill £1,969. Standing charges — a fixed daily charge covering the costs of connecting to a supply, have dropped to 53.8p a day for electricity, but risen to 32.67p a day for gas, compared with 60.97p and 31.65p respectively, although they vary by region
The regulator has extended the Debt Allowance Scheme, a charge for all customers to cover the cost of the debt support. It’s totally obscene for this government to be picking the pockets of pensioners while people with the broadest shoulders could be helping solve this shocking situation in 2025.
Rodney Sadd
Crowland
Send your letters to: news@lincsonline.co.uk
