LETTERS
4:40pm Friday 11th January 2008
Returning adventurer notices big changes I was very interested to receive from a friend a snippet of 50 Years Ago' in the December 6 issue of the Advertiser saying that I was leaving Ludlow to see the world and seek adventure'.
I survived the near sinking of the RRS Shackleton in the Antarctic - incidentally in almost exactly the same place and almost to the day 50 years after the MS Explorer sank after hitting ice.
I completed two years on Antarctic bases and returned to Ludlow in 1960. During my three months' leave I met my wife Jean (well known as the Feathers receptionist in Bill Shelly's time). We were married and 10 days later I left to become a diamond proprietor in West Africa. Jean followed me there a few months later and we spent the next 15 years in Ghana, Central African Republic, Guyana, Trinidad and South Africa. We later worked in the UK for a few years before going to live in Spain for eight years.
We occasionally (about once a year) visit Ludlow. It has changed dramatically and we now know almost no-one there. It would be nice to know what happened to my many friends, mostly from the Grammar School, High School, Fishmore and Round Table.
Incidentally I was interested to read that Fishmore Hall, where I spent 20 years and probably know better than anyone alive, is now a hotel. I would like to visit and see how much it has changed. When I first went there in 1940 we had no electricity, mains water and gas was made from carbide in an outhouse.
I am glad to see that the Advertiser is thriving. The author of the original article in 1957 was probably David Edwards (Squib), who was my best man at our wedding.
Ken Gibson, Blake Hillway, Gloucester, GL4 4QR.
Smokers' brolly to be air-conditioned?
Is it correct that the Mark III model of the Church Inn umbrella (the Advertiser, December 20), available in the early summer, will be air conditioned?
Paul M Griffin, Market Street, Ludlow.
A big thank-you for seniors' Christmas bash COUNCILLOR Mick Merrick and I would like to say a big thank-you to the sponsors of the senior citizens' Christmas party on Friday, December 7, at Ludlow Church of England School. Their generosity over the last 15 years of fundraising for the party never ceases to amaze us.
This year's party was a truly festive occasion with 170 senior citizens sitting down to an excellent full Christmas dinner cooked by the school dinner ladies and waited on by the students, who were a credit to their school, parents and south Shropshire, and we are very proud to be associated with them.
Entertainment was by the school band. The Christmas draw this year was even bigger and better and we thank all those who donated prizes. We would also like to thank all the staff at school for taking the time to help with the party.Transport this year was by R and B Travel and we thank them for their help.
Councillor Claude Bodenham, Stoke St Milborough, Ludlow.
Swimming Pool Guild seeks new trustees I WRITE in connection with a report in the December 27 edition of the Tenbury Wells Advertiser relating to Tenbury Swimming Pool.
Malvern Hills District Council is not the owner of the swimming pool. The pool is owned by a register charity, Tenbury and District Swimming Pool Guild, and stands on land owned by Tenbury Town Council. The guild has a lease of the area covering a period of over 900 years.
The guild is made up of trustees and a management committee with the local authority, currently Malvern Hills District Council, being the Custodian Trustee.
The guild is presently looking for new trustees and anyone interested should contact me.
Alan Dale, Clerk to the Trustees and Management Committee, Tenbury and District Swimming Pool Guild, Tavern Lane, Newnham Bridge, Tenbury Wells.
Ludlow festive lights were a dismal display MIGHT I suggest that if Ludlow town councillors get in touch with Peter Corfield, the parish councillor for Richard's Castle, they could ask his advice about Christmas lights.
His house and gardens are a delight to behold on the Overton Road into Ludlow only to be followed by the dismal display that the town council have erected in a few streets in the town.
Do any of your readers remember the 70s and 80s when festive Ludlow took charge of the town's Christmas illuminations? Harry Peachey and my late father-in-law Frank Acton, both residents of Broad Street, not only raised the money for the lights but also erected them around the town. What a wonderful display they were, thank goodness health and safety inspectors were only ghosts of Christmas future and not able to spoil the fun.
Ann Acton, Richards Castle, Ludlow.
Wake up to Tenbury lights disappointment SIX strings of lights with many bulbs out at Tenbury was a disappointment.
Up until a few years ago, I was on the lights committee headed by George Price. The streets were ablaze with lights.
Up until last year the chap who put the lights up changed every bulb - in fact forked out £800 of his own money.
Wake up committee.
Col Keith Barker (retd), Berrington Road, Tenbury Wells.
Wonderful effort from Tenbury households I WOULD like to praise the shopkeepers and householders of Tenbury on their wonderful display of lights and decorations to brighten up the town. Well done, a wonderful effort.
Margaret Austin, Greenhill Close, Tenbury Wells.
What's wrong with Season's Greetings?
I disagree with Pru Bellak (Letters, 27 December) who considers Season's Greetings to be wretchedly politically correct'.
There is nothing wrong with the season, a description which has been around for a long time. One of our favourite carols starts with 'Tis the season to be jolly, Tra-la-la-la-la...
The period around the winter solstice has been celebrated by most societies long before the church decided to put the nominal birthday of the prophet Christ in the middle of it.
Nowadays the celebrations start weeks before December 25 and go on at least until New Year's Day. In principle we brighten with our fun the darkest, shortest days of the year while joyfully anticipating brighter times and the re-awakening of nature as spring approaches.
A number of religions have key dates in this period. And yes, even we atheists enjoy family gatherings, seasonal food, exchange of presents etc at this time.
Christ's mass - December 25 - is just one aspect of the season - what has it specially to do with the general jollity? The comprehensive Season's Greetings is fine.
Ian Leslie, 33 Gravel Hill, SY8 1QR.