HERE are this week’s letters –
‘Removing graffiti will help town become nation’s best’
I HAVE just read your article on making Droitwich the nation’s best town to visit.
Perhaps we could see all the graffiti that has appeared on various premises, walls and street signs cleaned up as part of this proposal?
I don’t know about you, but if some of the businesses et al will not clean it off their own walls, along with those responsible for maintaining the street furniture, those trying to improve the image of our town are already on a loser.
In particular, those buildings walking from the railway station into town are a state, the purple graffiti near the Police Station, the street furniture near The Raven Hotel and the corner of Blackfriars Avenue come to mind.
It’s almost as if nobody cares anymore or those who represent and are responsible just walk around with their eyes closed.
A Droitwich Resident
‘Italian market for Droitwich a great idea’
I think the idea of having a Droitwich Italian market in our town would be a great idea. I fully support this event.
Karen Read
‘Council policy the main problem for Bromsgrove town centre’
THE CORE problem for Bromsgrove District Council is not the actual shops but the planning policies.
Over the past two to three years there have been an ever increasing number of roadworks.
The last six months have been the worst.
The last few weeks with the long long delays at the A38,/Birmingham Road junction have been the worst.
After being stuck in crawling traffic we took the decision to stop trying to get into Bromsgrove.
However a friend told us these works had just ended.
We decided to go to Bromsgrove and found that this was the case.
We parked at Asda only to see signs that for the whole of next week said that repairs/improvements will mean that a third of the car park being closed.
No choice but not to even try to visit the town this week.
All retail shops need footfall to be stable and in fact to increase that footfall to remain viable.
With the news announcement of major upgrades on the A38 and new housing developments off this road I believe this will be the nail in the coffin for Bromsgrove.
Peter Wakefield
My Bromsgrove shopping list…..
WITH regard to shops in Bromsgrove town centre, I would like to see some clothes shops back, a riding shop, shoe shops, Claire’s Accessories back.
Petra Harris
Alex receptionists need to be as efficient as doctors and nurses
AFTER spending a night at the Alex A&E I was left appalled at the way the receptionists treated patients.
I was there all night and every patient that came in was ignored for at least 10 minutes before the receptionist could be bothered to raise her eyes from her phone or computer.
One elderly lady was swaying on her feet, with a bandage around her head and the receptionist still pretended she couldn’t see her.
They spent most of the night on their phones, making video calls, gossiping or just straight up doing nothing.
There were several times doctors and nurses came to the reception to ask for things that should have been done, they even lost a patient’s notes.
You couldn’t fault the hardworking doctors and nurses in the department who were working flat out to make sure everyone got the care they needed.
But the people with the easiest job in the hospital seem to think they can get by without putting in any actual work.
Elizabeth Smith
Wythall
Wear it Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
BREAST Cancer Awareness Month is fast-approaching this October, which means the return of Wear It Pink.
Breast Cancer Now’s biggest and brightest fund-raising event on Friday, October 20.
Every 10 minutes, someone in the UK hears the words ‘you have breast cancer’.
As a specialist breast cancer nurse, I’ve spent 12 years speaking to the people affected – hearing women and men talk through the devastating diagnosis we all dread but they received. I’ve also spoken to the friends and family swept up in cancer’s dizzying vortex.
I’ve answered questions, been the listening ear to someone’s darkest fears, and allayed all-consuming worries.
I’ve seen the many ways this relentless disease can turn someone’s life upside down, which is why I’m calling on you to help raise the funds that will enable Breast Cancer Now to achieve its vision that by 2050 everyone with breast cancer will live and be supported to live well.
By taking part in Wear It Pink, you could help fund a life-saving research breakthrough. You could give someone information they can rely on when they need it most. Or drive forward vital campaigning, to make sure everyone living with breast cancer gets the best possible treatment and care.
Together, we’ve been wearing it pink for over 20 years. We’ve dressed up, baked, quizzed and pulled off all kinds of incredible sponsored challenges.
We’ve had a lot of fun and raised over £39million in the process. We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved together, but we can’t stop there. People affected by breast cancer need us – and they need you too.
However you decide to fund-raise, you will help make sure that our vital support services and world-class research continues.
So, on Friday, October 20, wear it pink, raise money and help us fund life-changing breast cancer research and support. Join us today by visiting wearitpink.org and signing up.
Addie Mitchell
Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Now
EDITOR’S COMMENT
BIRMINGHAM City Council effectively declaring itself bankrupt this week will rightly raise questions about the way local authorities are funded.
The city council’s financial management will be questioned but years of cuts to grants given to local authorities by central government – estimated at £15billion (40 per cent) in real terms across the country between 2010 and 2020 – will have played a major part.
With crumbling schools and decimated public services, this government needs a plan to put things right.
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]
