LETTERS

10:27am Monday 21st April 2008

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SO WHO WOULD YOU BELIEVE?

MANY of us parents at Lydbury North Primary School have serious concerns over the quality of data, information and arguments presented for the closure of primary schools in Shropshire.

I attended the BBC Radio Shropshire debate at the Music Hall, Shrewsbury, on Wednesday, April 9.

The following morning on Eric Smith's Breakfast Show I heard the school premises manager for SCC, Mr Norrie Porter, reply to comments made at the Music Hall meeting by our head at Lydbury North, regarding the amalgamation with Clunbury and closure of Lydbury North, following a meeting with him on January, 23. He stated that his comments regarding closure were misunderstood. I would like to support and defend our head at Lydbury North.

It is very strange as the head at Clunbury was told exactly the same thing by a different officer - that Lydbury School and Clunbury School would amalgamate, with the closure of Lydbury North. The Clunbury head sent out a similar letter to parents telling them that Lydbury North School would be closing and the children would travel to Clunbury.

Funny that both schools told their parents the same thing back on January 23 and were told by different officers?

So who would you believe? Is this really consultation?

Ian Kidd, Lydbury North, Shropshire.

TRIBUTE TO CAROLE HOLDER.

Carole, a very hard and conscientious worker THROUGH this column I would like to pay tribute the the late Carole Holder, a very hard and conscientious worker in the volunteer sector of the community.

Carole was secretary to the RNLI for many years and received an award for her services. Despite great disabilities, Carole was always active with Macmillan Nurses, Ludlow Food and Drink Festival, the Assembly Rooms and gave freely of her time as secretary to the town's Millennium and Jubilee celebrations.

I have been unable to pay tribute at a farewell service so this is a posthumous appreciation of all her good works.

Alan Poulton MBE, Overton Road, Ludlow.

OFFERING HELP WITH DIABETES.

Offering experience in dealing with diabetes THERE are many people in your area who live with diabetes and some may struggle to manage the condition themselves.

These people can receive free information and support from the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT). You could help hundreds of your readers by putting them in touch with IDDT. We are a charity which was formed by people who live with diabetes so we have experience and understanding of some of the day to day difficulties of living with the condition.

IDDT's newsletter offers clear, easily understandable information about many different aspects to living with diabetes. The April 2008 newsletter contains articles about different types of insulin and how people can make insulin work better for them, the relationship between coeliac disease and diabetes, the latest news about statins and the control of cholesterol levels and much more.

We are happy to send your readers all this information free and we are always here with a listening ear to offer support and understanding. They just need to contact us on 01604 622837, e-mail enquiries@iddtinternational.org or write to IDDT, P O Box 294, Northampton, NN1 4XS.

Bev Freeman, Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust, Northampton.

WHO GAVE PLANNING PERMISSION FOR THIS?

I AM asking who gave planning permission for the new shop/flat complex at the junction of Gravel Hill, New Street.

There have been contractors working today on the tarmac pavement outside the flat/shop entrance on New Street. This entrance door is below the level of the road and as such the pavement is sloping toward the building making the fitting of a suitable drain necessary to accommodate any water.

This pavement is a potential hazard to wheelchair users. Why was this new building not built so that the door was above the road height?

T Padbury, New Road, Ludlow.

MONEY RAISED WILL HELP SUPPORT THE WI.

ON behalf of the members of Tenbury Wells WI I wish to thank everyone who came along and took part in our Quiz Nite last Friday, April 11.

As so many groups/organisations accepted our invitation and took part, it made the event well worthwhile, and the money raised will be used to support the many activities of the WI in Tenbury and Worcestershire. We also wish to thank Graham Archer for setting the questions and being the questionmaster.

Joan Jones, secretary, Tenbury Wells WI, Riverside, Tenbury Wells.

TOWN'S GENEROSITY.

Town's generosity raises £274 for fire fighters TENBURY firefighters would like to thank everyone who had their cars washed at the charity car wash, held on the Palmers Meadow, in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity (The new name for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund).

Due to the townspeople's generosity, £274 was raised for the fund.

Cars were queueing up from 9am until we closed at 1pm.

We would also like to thank Hatton Stores in Teme Arcade for the kind donation of wash and wax and sponges.

Daniel James, Fire Fighters Charity Representative, Tenbury Fire Station, Tenbury Wells.

MANY DON'T KNOW THEY CAN CLAIM TAX CREDITS.

Something that has been overlooked in the debate about the Budget is that tax credits have gone up substantially and more people can claim them after April 6.

Many people don't know that you can claim tax credits, even if you don't have children. As long as you are over 25 and work for more than 30 hours a week, you can claim if you are single and your income is up to £245 a week (£12,740 a year) or a couple can claim if their joint income is below £330 a week (£17,160 a year).

Tax credits have had a lot of bad press but they do deliver extra money to hard - working people who need it. They are a big help if you are ill - if your income is below £15,575 you also qualify for free prescriptions, and if you are off work and having to rely on statutory sick pay, your tax credits can be increased.

Many of Usdaw's members can now claim tax credits for the first time. However 80% of people without children who qualify for tax credits don't claim them so I'd encourage any of your readers who think they may qualify to call the tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900 as soon as possible.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary.