LETTERS: February 16

STOP THIS WASTE OF YOUNG LIVES

Edna Levi, by email

Your front page and comments column were excellent regarding the recent knife attacks in Leeds (YEP, February 14).

The most frightening aspect is that not only are the victims teenagers but (in some cases) the alleged attackers are as well.

Years ago when kids had fall-outs, they would settle matters by minor ‘scraps’ to deal with grievances.

Whilst feeling deepest sympathy for parents who lose a beloved child, I also feel sorry for the family of anyone accused of these terrible acts.

What is going to be the solution to this waste of these young lives.

Finally, I do not agree that placing a bucket for people to dispose of their knives in is such a good idea.

Who is watching over this?

THERE’S LITERALLY NO ROOM IN THE NHS INN

Gilda Peterson, Leeds Keep Our NHS Public

It beggars belief that with A& Es overflowing, ambulances backed up in car parks and waiting lists getting totally out of hand the Government is ploughing ahead with plans to take another £22bn and around four per cent of hospital beds out of the NHS.

That’s on top of the £20bn forced “efficiency savings” which bear much responsibility for creating the mess in the first place.

We not only have fewer doctors than most European countries, we have only half the number of hospital beds per 1,000 population than France and a third of Germany’s. It is not surprising that our surgeons are having to cancel operations every day because there is literally no room at the inn.

NHS England argues that if we make people look after themselves better (or else!), use apps rather than talk to doctors and nurses, chivvy volunteers , friends and family to provide more care in the community and force GP surgeries to open longer, there will be a magical reduction in the number of people needing hospital care.

It would be charitable to think the Conservatives are living in a fantasy land but the truth is, what is happening to our NHS is plain bad. Successive Governments are destroying our publicly provided, publicly funded, fair and extremely cost effective national health service.

Over half our A&Es are earmarked for closure and smaller hospitals are being dismantled piece by piece.

What was once an international flagship is becoming a fragmented lottery of public and private services.

If we don’t stop the rot private health care will be the norm for those who can afford it and the devil take the rest of us.

Health Campaigns across Yorkshire are united and fighting back. Tell our politicians to reject STPs, stop cuts and restore funding to the NHS. Join our Yorkshire March for the NHS in Leeds on Saturday April 1 at 11.30am outside Leeds Art Gallery.

PM SHOULD BE ASHAMED

Mr AE Owen, Leeds.

OUR unelected Prime Minister should hang her head with shame at the way she is condoning the wrecking of the NHS by her hatchetman Jeremy Hunt. It was significant that he kept his job as Health Secretary, even though a large section of the public detested him because of his mismanagement.

It is a disgrace that one of the richest countries in the world will not provide adequate funding because they (the Tories) are hell bent on running down the NHS to sell off to their cronies in private health care.

The Tories hate the NHS because it’s not their baby and they can’t get used to the fact that a Labour government could create such a wonderful service – run for the people and not for vast profits.

Every time the Tories get into power, the NHS goes into crisis because of cuts. My son has had his spinal operation cancelled three times because of cuts at Leeds General Infirmary. I have for a long time held the belief that the Tories have had a secret agenda regarding the NHS.

PAVEMENTS ARE NOT FOR CARS

Colin Whitley, by email

DRIVERS who park their vehicles on the pavement are being very inconsiderate to people who really need to be using the pavement - and this is not just able bodied people.

Being a relative of someone who is registered blind it is such an inconvenience when people do park on the pavement.

Not only does it make it difficult for people who are disabled, or even parents with prams/pushchairs, but it then can also result in putting these people in danger as they have to step into the road to pass by.

It is about time that car drivers become more considerate of pedestrians who have to use the pavements which are meant for them to use and not for cars to be parked on.

CYCLISTS TAKING TOO MANY RISKS

Jaimes Lewis Moran, member of Leeds Green Party

In response to the recent letter by John Peckham ‘Time for action on safety in the city’ (YEP, February 10), I completely agree in regards to cycling couriers.

There are too many aggressive cyclists taking unnecessary risks to deliver items, especially in the area of Briggate.

However, now that phase two of CityConnect has been approved (aimed at inner-city routes) maybe this will encourage more responsible riders.

I think everyone can agree with me though in this regard - cycling alongside any fast and heavy traffic in Leeds can be terrifying and that it doesn’t need to stay this way.

OUR MPS SHOULD COPY TRUMP

Michael Allen, by email

Regarding Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK.

It seems the recent online protest, and demonstrations in certain cities across the UK, demanding the UK government cancel the state visit is over a policy which was part of his election pledge to improve the security of the US.

May I suggest our politicians copy Donald Trump and carry out their election promises.

I SIGNED UP FOR A TILLER GIRL DATE!

Ernest Lundy, by email

The recent correspondence about dancing in Leeds took me back to a time just after the end of World War Two when, still in the army and on leave from Germany, myself and a few other friends decided to go to one of the Press Balls in Leeds Town Hall.

We danced and became acquainted with a group of John Tiller girls who were appearing at the Theatre Royal. Three of us arranged to meet our partners again for another date. On the day we stood at the stage door and were confronted by a stern faced lady, who was manager of the troupe, who asked for the names of the girls we were to meet.

She produced a notebook in which we were asked to sign our names against the name of the girl we were collecting!

The girl who I dated appeared at various theatres in the county and went on to be a singer and dancer on Broadway.

The romance of another couple tailed off, as did mine, but my other friend married his chorus girl who came from Middleton, and they were together for many years.

However, I’m willing to gamble that there are few, if any, other one time beaus who have signed for a Tiller Girl at the stage door of the old Theatre Royal!

One of my friends later said: “You would have been alright marrying her, Ernie lad!”

My reply was: “Probably I would, but would she have enjoyed living in a back-to-back in Beeston for over 50 years?”

CALLING ALL OLD SHIPMATES

Mike Crowe, Isle of Wight

Thank you again for printing my letter about reuniting those who have served in the Royal Navy.

Many are missing the camaraderie of those who served in the Royal Navy.This camaraderie can be rediscovered in the form of a Royal Navy Shipmates’ Reunion to be held Friday, April 21 to Monday 24 in the Midlands.

Contact me for reunion details: Mike Crowe on [email protected] or at 7 Heath Road, Lake, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 8PG (A stamp will help the pension if writing to me for reunion details!)

The next move towards finding your old shipmate is yours. Do it now!