LETTERS

9:22am Monday 7th April 2008

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Is there a lawyer who can give me an answer?

I wonder if there is a mathematician or accountant out there who could answer a simple query for me?

My council tax has risen by about 120%in recent years. The cost of filling my centrral heating oil tank has risen from about £450 two years ago to about £750 last year and £1,000 this year. As things look at present, I expect it to be at least £1,500 next year.

The annual £200 fuel allowance from the government, although much appreciated, doesn't even cover the rise, let alone the cost of the oil.

I do have other outgoings. For instance, I have to eat.

My annual pension rise is equivalent to an increase of about £6 a week.

My query is, how many years will it be before council tax and fuel costs account for my entire income and begin to exceed it?

Is there a kind lawyer out there who could answer a query for me? If I refuse to pay council tax and I am sent to prison, does the sentence clear my debt or do I still have to pay the council tax when I am released? It seems to me that a few months in a centrally-heated cell with food provided would be quite pleasant and enable me to read books without freezing to death. If the sentence clears the debt I will now seriously consider this option.

One last query for any councillor or MP who might have the courage to answer. Is it asking too much to suggest that some sort of realistic relationship be established between council tax and pensions, before we pensioners are all destitute? Could there be a more rational approach to council tax rate for pensioners? What about a far more realistic fuel allowance?

All answers gratefully received.

(Name and address supplied).

Polish your boots and get fell in again ...

Many older readers would have served their time as National Servicemen in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.

This is a recall for them to get fell in again' at a huge parade at Alrewas on the last Sunday in June. Get your boots polished, pack your kit and make a weekend of it with a very nostalgic 1940s weekend'.

Superb accommodation, with a fun outing on Saturday, before a parade on Sunday.

Transport will be comfortable coaches, not the back of lorries with canvas over!

Write to Mike Crowe, ex-National Servicemen, 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8PG with service number, which service you served in and when, for all the detailsof a wonderful nostalgic weekend.

Yes, wives and partners will enjoy it too. Trust me, I'm an ex-National Serviceman.

Don't forget to bring the camera. Last weekend in June.

Michael Crowe, Sandown, Isle of Wight.

Euthanasia would keep pension bill down ...

THE case of Tony Blows, landlord of a Ewyas Harold pub in Herefordshire, fined and ordered to pay costs of £12,000 for allowing smoking in the premises, shows the depth to which our nanny state has sunk!

As a non smoker, I nevertheless defend the right of other to enjoy a cigarette on licensed premises, with permission of the landlord. Many pubs are now closing down due to the ban as they become non-viable, with people who only smoked on a visit to their local, are now smoking at home exposing their children to the fumes.

One would have thought that a public house where children are not allowed was perhaps a better place to have smoking permitted, after all, nobody is forced to enter the premises or work there if they hate tobacco.

So what are we to expect next from Westminster? Enforce Sharia Law, ban alcohol completely, because that is what a large section of the community is now pressing for. Euthanasia after age 70? This would keep the pension bill down! Oh how I long for a return to the freedom of the 1960s, when you could do almost as you pleased within reason.

Homes were cheap, as was transport and food, with an optimism that now is gone forever, it seems. What a miserable, hopeless state we now live in. Can it be the fault of Labour?

W Kerswell, Church Stretton.

A first class job and cheerful as well.

I JUST wish to say how pleased I was with two firms that I recently employed and who did a first class job for me. They were exceptionally cheerful as well.

The first is Neil and David Wiltshire's firm who put in central heating and a new bathroom. They swept in with five people and by the end of the second day it was practically all done. I felt that both price and workmanship were exceptional.

The second person I would like to congratulate is Derek of Belevedere Windows who did a first class job for me replacing a window. Luck was with me when I chose these two companies and I'd like to tell the world about them.

Wanda Hardman, Station Drive, Ludlow.

A first class job and cheerful as well.

The concern felt by local residents about traffic through the Broadgate is based primarily on safety - pedestrians, but particularly those who are a bit slower on their pins, or who have children in pushchairs, are regularly intimidated by thoughtless and sometimes aggressive drivers.

I am sure Mr Morgan (Advertiser March 27) drives through Broadgate with due care and attention, but local residents see some drivers do not.

With today's generation of larger and wider vehicles, along with many more vehicles using the Broadgate in any case, pedestrians are often forced to squeeze themselves against the walls to avoid being hit; the potential for serious injury or worse is there.

Your recent opinion column made the useful suggestion of installing a retractable bollard at the Broadgate to close it to traffic, but which could be opened to emergency traffic or for other occasional use - let's see the authorities will take your idea into consideration, or propose other measures to make things safer for pedestrians.

Tim Mawson, Lower Broad Street, Ludlow.

Association is against Broadgate closure.

Further to your reader's letter (Advertiser March 27) regarding the proposal from Lower Broad Street Residents to close the Broadgate to traffic.

I am writing to clarify the position of The Ludlow Town Centre Residents' Association. In the summer of 2006, prior to the Broadgate repairs, the county and town council discussed concerns about this monument at the Traffic and Parking Sub committee of the town council.

Ludlow Town Centre Residents' Association was, at the time, in the process of compiling a questionnaire to its members regarding their views of other traffic and parking issues and opinion was sought regarding the Broadgate.

Double the number of association members were against the closure of Broadgate, compared with those in favour. As a result of this overwhelming majority against the closure the Association presented that view to the Traffic and Parking sub-committee.

This matter has not been tabled by any of our members as an issue for debate since and I am not aware of any new considerations which may change our members stance; I therefore confirm Ludlow Town Centre Residents' Association are at this time opposed to closure of the Broadgate.

Liz Charters, Chair, Ludlow Town Centre Residents' Association.