Voting choices from our Worcestershire MPs needs to be questioned

AT TIMES like these one can almost feel sympathy for our Worcestershire Conservative MPs.

First the Whip’s Office, under the direction of this incompetent and untrustworthy Government, have forced them repeatedly to vote for many things which, one assumes, go against both their better judgement and their personal integrity.

This includes supporting pollution of our rivers with raw sewage, failing to retain the £20-a-week uplift in Universal Credit despite soaring inflation, the manifestly unfair approach to social care costs which hits less affluent families hardest and the disgraceful attempt to change the rules on lobbying to protect Owen Paterson.

To compound the problem, some of these policies were then rapidly reversed after public outcries, leaving these poor, loyal MPs looking foolish!

Now we have the serious revelations about the way those at the heart of Government flouted the Covid rules to which the rest of us sought to comply.

Their smugly entitled frivolity last December was deeply offensive to those who suffered in all kinds of ways during the pandemic, while trying to keep to the rules for the good of their community.

We now call on or local Conservative MPs to publicly condemn such behaviour, and the attempt to cover up the truth by constant denials.

That way they might rescue a degree of self-respect and some vestige of public support, rather than again toeing the party line, even if it be at the cost of advancement in this discredited Government.

Dr Peter Daw

Mid-Worcestershire Labour Party

Sad to see Bromsgrove Choral Society perform its final concert

BROMSGROVE Choral Society has, very sadly, sung its final notes after more than 70 years.

On Saturday, December 11, I attended the concert which was both its first performance since the pandemic, and also its last as an organisation.

John Brierley directed the well-rehearsed and nicely-blended choir in an evening of festive favourites, including excerpts from Handel’s Messiah.

Understandably, emotions ran high as the performance came to a close.

As director of Redditch Choral Society I would like to emphasise my sadness that Bromsgrove Choral Society has had to shut its doors after such a long time.

As local arts organisations begin to emerge from their ‘Covid-cocoons’ we need to take stock of just how life-enriching these groups are.

The mental and physical health benefits of singing, for example, are well-known.

Support at national, county, and town levels is imperative for the continued success of groups like these and, without doubt, the rewards of such support are to be reaped in the well-being and vibrancy of the areas in which the arts are most valued.

The loss of such a well-established local choir is both sorrowful and concerning.

Some BCS members, including long-serving chairman, Eddie Clulee, have already begun singing at RCS on Wednesday evenings in anticipation of joining us ‘officially’ in January.

We do, of course, warmly welcome them and wish the very best to all involved with BCS in their future musical endeavours.

Emily Tyrrell,

Redditch Choral Society

No parking enforcement in Romsley as well as Rubery

FOLLOWING Sarah Mallett’s letter I have to tell her that unfortunately Rubery is not the only area to suffer a lack of parking enforcement; here in Romsley.

The yellow lines appear to be for decoration only and I feel certain that other areas are similarly plagued.

Perhaps we need ‘levelling up’ with Bromsgrove Central, though with nothing as grand as an open construction multi-purpose building, (doesn’t that sound like a market hall).

How about we re-deploy those enforcement officers that during lockdown descended upon troublesome parking around areas such as Clent. These officers to make frequent but irregular visits to outlying areas thus improving safety and reducing congestion as originally intended.

Richard Whitehouse

As we prepare for Christmas, help Crisis help the homeless

AS MANY of us prepare for a Christmas filled with time spent with loved ones, gift giving and a home-cooked Christmas dinner, reality is very different for people without somewhere safe and secure to call their home.

2021 marks the 50th anniversary of Crisis at Christmas, which sees the charity provide vital food, warmth and companionship to those experiencing homelessness at one of the toughest times of the year.

When it all started, just 20 volunteers helped Crisis hold its first ‘open Christmas’ at a church in central London, providing food and support services for people sleeping rough. Sadly, 50 years later, Crisis is needed more than ever at Christmas and all-year-round, to help people on their journey out of homelessness.

Slowly emerging from the pandemic and with many facing mounting financial pressure, this year has been difficult for us all.

At least 200,000 people are expected to face the worst forms of homelessness this Christmas – many for the first time.

No-one should be forced to live, or spend Christmas, shivering on the streets, sofa surfing with strangers or in a hostel with nowhere to call home and no-one to be with.

Crisis will be providing vital services and support this Christmas through its Skylight centres across the country.

This ranges from offering nutritional food and festive treats, wellbeing packs and entertainment activities to providing guidance, health support and befriending services to those experiencing homelessness. Most importantly, Christmas also introduces people to the year-round training, education and support Crisis can offer.

But to ensure Crisis can be there for everyone who needs support this Christmas, we’re calling on readers to support our work.

We’re asking you to join us in raising vital funds so whether you donate or give someone a Crisis Christmas, you’ll be helping to ensure that this festive season those facing homelessness are not alone.

Visit www.crisis.org.uk/support for more on Crisis this Christmas.

Al Doyle, Alastair Stewart OBE, Ayo Akinwolere, Ellie Goulding, Imelda Staunton CBE, Sir Jonathan Pryce CBE, Jo Brand

Crisis Ambassadors

EDITOR’S COMMENT

CONSTANT mixed messaging has been the running theme during the pandemic and it has happened again this week.One minute the PM and government members defend themselves over the ‘Downing Street party’ allegations saying everyone acted responsibly, the next new legislation is introduced.

After 18 months and the long-term ‘we need to learn to live with Covid’ prognosis, the public need to be trusted to use guidance to take their own precautions rather than using the threat of already overworked police officers who have no capacity to enforce these laws.

We welcome your letters…..

What pressing issues do you feel need addressing in Bromsgrove, Rubery, Droitwich and South Birmingham? Send us your views to [email protected] or [email protected]