I READ M Jones’ letter with interest. He/she makes the same mistake I did in seeing a cemetery and green space as different when, as I now realise, they are not.
Some people are failing to appreciate Councillor Dormer’s breadth of vision in the innovative concept of a recreational cemetery.
The old crematorium will need replacing soon and if that went to Ipsley too it could be used to heat the pool that was a central design feature of the new cemetery.
Redditch’s own all weather outdoor pool! Perhaps put some sand down and make a ‘beach’ like they once did at the lake.
What a place to hold music events! There could be retro style rock concerts – ‘We’re diggin’ in the grooveyard!’ ‘Raves among the graves’ and ‘Bashes amongst the ashes’.
Where better to stage a ‘Halloween Spooktacular’? The possibilities are endless! Ipsley could be the new Ibiza if this was done right!
It could become so popular other parts of Redditch would demand cemeteries of their own. People would petition for their parks and open spaces to become burial grounds.
There might be Norse style immolation on Arrow Valley Lake! The whole town becoming a noted necropolis attracting the dead from all Worcestershire and beyond! We’d need a third train line just to get them all here!
K Wass, Matchborough
A PLANNING proposal to build a new large 4 bedroom house in the very narrow Featherbed lane squashed between Hillcrest and Dingleside has been made.
This would set a precedent in this green belt location turning this peaceful rural neighbourhood into a noisy housing estate. The main objections are:-
1.Building a new house in Featherbed Lane would set a precedent and could lead to many more successful applications changing the nature of the neighbourhood.
2. Featherbed lane is narrow with no pavements and virtually nil verges so unsuitable for a 20 per cent increase in traffic which would further put walkers at risk.
3. There would be no access to sewage or communication lines as permission would not be given by landowners to join current lines.
If you want to help assist in its prevention before the closing date on June 20 let your thoughts be known by email or letter to the case officer Jo Chambers on 01527 881408 email: [email protected]
Town Hall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch, B98 8AH
Planning reference 21/00736/OUT.
C Lloyd-Lucas, Hunt End
WELL done Redditch Council for at long last only cutting a narrow strip around verges and traffic islands.
The buttercups, daisies, cow parsley, etc are looking fantastic.
The dandelions earlier in the year were a pleasure to see, love or hate them they are a good source of pollen.
All the pollinators are enjoying all these flowers and it is a pleasure driving around Redditch.
The island by Morrisons is looking gorgeous and so much better than when it was regularly cut and so much better for the environment.
They are still cutting verges along Lowlands Lane either side of footpath which isn’t needed but hopefully they will stop cutting those so frequently too.
It’s good to see the council are taking environmental issues seriously.
B Waller, Redditch
I READ with interest J Robinson’s letter regarding the Alexander Hospital (Redditch Standard).
My 82-year-old wife has recently had to attend hospital three times in two weeks for a fairly minor problem.
The Alex couldn’t deal with it so she had to go to Worcester which is an horrendous journey by car at our age.
We could have taken the bus but it only runs every two hours and would not coincide with the appointment times.
It’s obvious to me that the Alex is slowly being closed down in small packages so that the public won’t notice – probably for profitable housing.
Regrettably, long after we are gone, the people of Redditch will not have their wonderful hospital, and I feel sorry for them having that terrible journey to undertake, and to a wretched destination.
M Budd, Redditch
IT’S 12.30pm on a warm June Saturday as we spread out a blanket and settle down at the top of Ipsley Meadow.
There’s a few of us here, perhaps 70 to 80, mostly we assume to watch the Red Arrows fly over to the air show at Ragley Hall.
At the bottom of the meadow dog walkers criss cross, a young father kicks a ball to his son, a little closer a lady is playing catch with her granddaughter while other children chase each other in the trees.
From the benches behind we hear some elderly residents announce the Red Arrows are due at any moment. Just as they finish speaking there is a a roar and they fly over in perfect formation.
There is a palpable sense of excitement.
The highlight is two of the Red Arrows creating a huge heart shape in vapour trails.
It’s only a day or so later, walking across the meadow with my elderly parents that the thought of losing this space hits me.
While I appreciate this would be a beautiful place to be put to rest it surely it has so much more value as a place for the living.
The greatest respect we can show the dead is by honouring life and preserving places like Ipsley Meadow for the people that form the communities of our town.
R Harris, Ipsley resident
