IN response to Redditch Conservatives Deputy Leader Councillor Mike Rouse’s letter (Redditch Standard, October 16) in which he claimed that the Liberal Democrats have been getting the wrong end of every political stick for the last 10 years, it seems he was a little premature in his proclamation.
On Saturday, the Liberal Democrat Education Minister for Wales, Kirsty Williams, ensured that no child in Wales will go hungry during the school holidays by extending free school meals to holiday periods until spring 2021.
On Wednesday, Redditch’s Conservative MP, Rachel Maclean, voted to block the same protection for the children of Redditch.
On the issue of making sure no child goes hungry it is clear that it is the Conservatives who have the wrong end of the stick.
Redditch Liberal Democrats
Wildebeests in Morton Stanley indeed! (Letters).
Come into my garden anytime at Headless Cross Mr J Solomon. Here you can see the delights of Mr Mole and his chums rooting everything up.
Help me catch the little devils for free, (traps provided) and enjoy some rural sport.
Look through the hedge and see the rabbits having fun digging up the golf course.
Couple this with the sport of Musketts Wood ‘Deer Dodging’, as you drive along the Bromsgrove Highway.
At dusk and during the night look out for foxes’ eyes in your glaring headlights as they take home another of farmer Giles’ prize chickens for a family feast.
Yes, it’s all here for free at Headless Cross, centre of the universe.
F Piles, Headless Cross
I’D LIKE to put on record my utmost respect to all of the local businesses and community schemes who have stepped up this half term to ensure that food has been available to children.
Such generosity during a tough time for hospitality is the perfect display of our town’s big heart.
It is evident that Redditch people care about feeding children, while Rachel Maclean MP is more concerned about what’s for (subsidised) lunch at the House of Commons.
S Harvey, Southcrest
LET’S here it for Marcus Rashford! The England and Manchester United striker only has to appear on the pitch and the Government wobbles and sticks the ball in the back of their own net.
My, how the gloss has come off Boris Johnson. Come on, feed the kids, and not just in Redditch, but everywhere in the UK.
R Barnes, Greenlands
THANK you for covering the news item on your website about the sudden closure of the HSBC branch in Redditch, which will not now re-open until November 5.
The reason given is a staff shortage. Here is a warning, it may take at least half an hour to speak to someone at HSBC on their phone number 03457 404 404.
HSBC, has over the years, reduced the number of staff employed, and has not made plans to have a team of replacement staff available to deal with the situation which arose because of the coronavirus.
I’m glad I also have an account with Nationwide; its Redditch branch remains open.
I wonder if the other banks and building societies in Redditch have contingency plans to avoid closing their branches in our town if hit by positive coronavirus cases.
If so, it might be an opportunity for HSBC account holders to switch!
Southcrest Resident
(Ready to switch from HSBC)
NATIONALLY one of the key criteria for putting an area into Tier 2 is a case rate in excess of 100 cases per 100,000 people.
The data from the Imperial College London study show that the current estimate is that there are 355 cases in Redditch.
Assuming a population of 65,000 this is equivalent to a rate of 546 cases per 100,000.
I would like to ask our MP Rachel Maclean why are we still in Tier 1?
N Braithwaite, Headless Cross
MAY I say thank you to the young blonde woman who handed in the wallet I dropped at Morrison’s fuel station on Friday, October 23.
It was an act of honesty and kindness; a genuine glimmer of hope in these gloomy times.
It provides a mirror in which we can reflect upon the activities of some politicians.
You did not leave your contact details, but I hope you will accept my donation to Redditch Food Bank in support of the Marcus Rashford campaign as a just reward.
B Allbut, Redditch
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, and that is bound to have an impact on people’s mental health. Many blind and partially sighted people have faced anxiety, sadness and even fear about the unique challenges they have experienced – such as problems social distancing, difficulty shopping without guidance and isolation from losing tactile contact with friends and family during lockdown.
That is why the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has worked with Mind to launch Emergency Mental Health Sessions for local blind and partially sighted people to mark World Mental Health Day.
The sessions are completely free and offer people with sight loss the opportunity to speak to a counsellor for an hour over the phone about however they are feeling and any problems that are on their mind. It doesn’t have to be about their sight at all.
If you or someone you know could benefit from speaking to someone, please call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999. We can set up a chat within 36 hours and the service can be used as many times as needed.
It’s been a tough year and it’s ok not to be ok, but you don’t need to suffer in silence.
A Hawkins, RNIB
