‘Careless drivers a risk to everyone’
I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank the kind customers who cared for me and helped me when I fell on the zebra crossing outside Sainsbury’s recently.
The medically-trained staff from the store came very quickly and like all the staff in the store always are, were very supportive and helpful.
They stayed to make sure I was alright and even rang me the next day to check on me.
I am elderly and disabled and walk very slowly with a stick and most drivers are very considerate.
The reason I fell was that a car, travelling very fast (in fact his registration number would not be picked out on the CCTV) raced behind me before I had got half way across.
I tried to turn quickly, lost my balance and went down, hurting my head and left hand, which has made life very difficult as I live on my own and with my stick in my right hand I need the other to carry things.
These reckless Redditch drivers (of which there are many) do not realise the repercussions affecting others and maybe themselves.
It is not just exceeding the speed limit, it is speed in the wrong places, such as roundabouts.
After all, in store car parks, it needs care, not just for disabled people but children may run across the roadway.
Angela Kemp,
Matchborough West
‘Tories left a big mess to clear up’
I NOTED Rachel Maclean’s letter in last week’s column.
Nobody wanted to means test the winter fuel allowance. But as Keir Starmer explained. when you find the previous government has effectively been lying to the Office of Budget Responsibility about the nature of the public finances, something has to be done.
The trick is to do it! Concealing the mess they had made and repeatedly kicking the can down the road in terms of facing consequences was very much the hallmark of the previous Conservative government.
The Tories told you everything was easy! Brexit will be a walk in the park, sorting out immigration was merely a matter of booking some flights to an African country. Ms Maclean herself said that the cost-of-living crisis could be sorted out by simply getting another job.
Well, the world doesn’t work like that.
At some point you have to face the difficult truths, find a way of paying the bills and sort out the mess. Both nationally and locally that’s what Labour is doing at the moment.
Meanwhile I notice the Conservative Party is having yet another leadership contest. Thank heavens that for the first time in years someone else is running the country why they indulge themselves again.
Coun Ian Woodall, Labour, Headless Cross and Oakenshaw
‘Taxi driver Sheikh is a proper hero’
MAY I, through your paper, say big ‘thank you’ to a taxi driver who helped a friend on Friday, August 30..
A taxi was called to take my friend home after feeling unwell, the driver, (Sheikh), went above his duty to help when my friend collapsed outside his home. He got him safely inside and made sure he was OK.
Sheikh is an asset to our community and AB Taxis should be proud to have such a good man on their team.
Many thanks Sheikh.
Mike Sheppard, Studley
‘Step forward for Walkies Together’
IN 2022, I lost my amazing dad, Trevor, to bowel cancer.
The moment I heard he had died, I felt like my world had been turned upside down.
I missed everything about him: his sarcasm, his daft jokes, and all his quirky stories.
I was angry and lost. That’s when I started following Bowel Cancer UK and learned about their fundraising challenges, including Walkies Together.
Walkies Together asks you and your furry friend to walk 43 miles across September in support of the 43,000 people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.
For the past few years, I’ve taken part with my cocker spaniel, Mickey. We love walking and exploring new places and even my young daughter can get involved.
The challenge has helped me to focus my energy into something positive and it means I can raise awareness of the disease so other families don’t have to do through what mine has.
Walkies Together is perfect for all ages and abilities. It’s a way for us to show support for those undergoing treatment, to remember loved ones we have lost, and to raise funds to go towards vital services and lifesaving research.
With you and your pooch’s help we can stride into action to save lives. So please, join me and sign up for Walkies Together today and receive a free dog bandana.
Visit fundraise.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/walkies-24-p for more.
Cassie
