This week's letters to the editor, including a heartfelt appeal to a callous thief...

Here are this week's letters to the Bucks Herald, including heartfelt appeal to a callous thief...

Grave thief appeal

A letter to the thief who has stolen an inexpensive item off my son’s grave at Aylesbury Cemetery.

The item in question is a NUFC gnome (black and white) no monetary value but an item of sentimental value which has watched over him for the last ten years or so.

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Now it has been stolen by a callous thief who decided it would look quite nice in their garden, around the pond, or even with their football collection.

Just think when you are admiring it, that the young man who had his life tragically taken away from those who loved him lays peacefully harming nobody, while you - despicable as you are, take from someone who can now never defend himself.

If you have a conscience and you are the taker, or anyone else who sees a new gnome appear, please return to the grave or find a member of the cemeetery team who are always somewhere on site and hand it to them.

Whoever you are, when you are looking up at the sky as you will one day I hope you seek forgiveness.

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I believe this is not the first time you have visited this grave and removed items, but I hope it will be the last. 
Name and address supplied

Rothmans building

What on earth is is the council thinking about, re the old Rothmans building?

They are proposing to turn it into 190 flats. Have they lost their marbles?

The traffic on the Oxford Road is a nightmare now, as all roads are in Aylesbury. They have alreday built 50-odd new flats by the railway and college, yet to be let.

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Lots of households now have two cats, have they thought about the chaos.

Not to mention the white elephant that is HS2. When that starts up life with be a nightmare.

Also, to be taken into consideration are doctors surgeries, Whitehill and Fairford Leys are at breaking point now it would make a far better care home.

We have been waiting years to get the road widened at Rothmans junction, I suppose this is a sprat to catch a mackrel with the developers of Rothmans footing the bill.

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Also the council are obessed with traffic lights, every few hundred yards - we don’t need Christmas lights here because we have them all year round. 
Name and address supplied

No recycling fee

In reference to a letter from Mr Graham Woodroffe in last week’s Bucks Herald (February 22), I would like to state that there is no basis to the rumour set out in the letter that Bucks County Council plans to introduce charges to enter the county’s household recycling centres.

Besides any other considerations, such general access charges as described would in fact be unlawful under existing Government regulations.

Cllr Netta Glover, deputy cabinet member for planning and environment

Buckinghamshire County Council

Squirrel killing

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Over the last few days, grey squirrels have been scapegoated again for the decline of the red squirrel.

Horrific plans to kill grey squirrels have even been announced.

But it is people, and not grey squirrels, who are largely responsible for the decline in red squirrel numbers.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was red squirrels who were being treated as ‘pests’ and slaughtered in their thousands.

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A series of harsh winters and disease epidemics reduced red squirrel numbers even further.

According to a Bristol University report, there is little evidence that killing grey squirrels is the best way of conserving red ones.

But in any case, grey squirrels are just as capable of suffering as their red counterparts. All animals deserve to live, whether they are a well-loved species - like the red squirrel - or considered ‘pests’.

There are many humane ways of deterring unwelcome animals, including squirrels, and free advice sheets can be ordered from Animal Aid by phoning 01732 364 546 or emailing [email protected]
Isobel Hutchinson - Animal Aid

UKIP results

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UK By-Election Results: Conservatives gain Copeland in Cumbria; and Labour retain Stoke; what does it mean?... Labour & UKIP going no where; Liberals finished and Conservatives on the rise; as British people back Theresa May and Brexit.
Simon Icke - via email

Stiles and dogs

One of the great pleasures of living in this area is being able to enjoy the numerous footpaths which crisscross our beautiful countryside. However for many of us, that pleasure is marred by the fact that because of the lack of provision for larger dogs to get through the stiles, many footpaths are effectively closed to us.

While some footpaths allow larger dogs to get through, (either through a “kissing gate” or a small ground level hatch) many make no provision whatsoever for dogs. The human walker can climb over a stile, but their four legged companions don’t have that option (not without the potential for seriously injuring themselves). It can be incredibly frustrating to follow a footpath for a mile or so, only to be confronted by a stile your dog has no way of crossing and having to turn back and retrace your steps.

I fully acknowledge the need for dog owners to be responsible by keeping their pets on a lead when around sheep and livestock, not damaging fences etc. But the footpaths should be there for all of the residents of this area to enjoy, whether two legged or four legged. So could I (and my two Border Collies) appeal to the farmers and landowners in the area to please make provision for those of us who have dogs which we can’t pick up and lift over the stiles. 
Lynn Marlow - via email

Bucks Care Ltd

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With Bucks County Council now running all the services again that were managed by Buckinghamshire Care Ltd , can we question whether the last four years has been a huge waste of money and resources?

Should there be a public enquiry to provide transparency as to the real cost of the last four years, the financial and emotional cost to the vulnerable people and carers in Bucks who used the services.

The cost of the inital county consultation about the changes

The cost of the Consultant fees for setting up the Local Authority Trading Company called Buckinghamshire Care Ltd.

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The cost of the refurbishment of the buildings offering day care.

The cost of the staff TUPE from Bucks CC to Buckinghamshire Care Ltd and back again.

The cost of the constant management changes within BCL and the addition of more management tiers in 2015.

The cost of running the services for four years.

The cost of BCC taking the services and staff back inhouse

The money surely should have been spent on BCC continuing to offer services of a high standard that was in place in 2012?

Margot Hill, Aylesbury

Baking for MS

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My dad was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) when I was six.

At the time, I had no idea how life-changing it would be for our family. Fortunately, my little brother and I had our mum. She took us to rugby and held down two jobs to support us.

More than 100,000 people live with MS in the UK.

It’s often painful and exhausting, and can cause problems with how you walk, move, see, think and feel.

And it can be just as tough for friends and family, who have to watch their loved ones battle often debilitating symptoms.

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But no matter your connection to MS, the MS Society is here for you through the highs, lows and everything in between.

That’s why I’m supporting Cake Break – a delicious way to fundraise this March. It’s the perfect opportunity to come together with friends and family and indulge in some tasty treats while supporting everyone affected by MS.

I’d love for your readers to join me in baking for the MS Society – they can find out more at www.cakebreak.org.uk or join the conversation using #CakeBreak.

Together, we are strong enough to stop MS.

Tom Kerridge - Michelin star chef and restauranteur

Ovarian cancer

My mother, the actress Marjie Lawrence, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three weeks before she died. It was too late for anything but palliative care.

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One in 50 women will develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime. Currently, less than a third of women are confident they know the FOUR main symptoms, and earlier diagnosis could save thousands of lives. That’s why Target Ovarian Cancer wants to START MAKING NOISE this March for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

The main symptoms of ovarian cancer are: tummy pain, persistent bloating, feeling full and needing to wee more.

I’m asking your readers to help save lives by joining us to START MAKING NOISE, spread the word about the symptoms and raise much-needed money to support women living with ovarian cancer in the UK.

There are loads of ways to make some noise:

Bake Some Noise with a cake sale or coffee morning

The Big Colour Clash – Join us on Friday 10 March and wear your loudest outfits in school or work for a donation

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Challenge yourself to tell 50 people about the symptoms and raise £50

We’ll send you everything you need – free balloons, symptoms leaflets, badges and wristbands.

Call 020 7923 5474 or visit targetovariancancer.org.uk/March

Sarah Greene, Target Ovarian Cancer Ambassador

Brill Post Office

Brill Post Office has moved to Constables Stores, 10 The High Street, Brill, HP18 9ST on 23 February with a new Postmaster Brian Constable, who is already Postmaster for Longwick.

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The branch had been based at the Brill Sports and Social Club in Church Street to maintain service when the former branch closed. It had been open three hours a week on a Friday.

The new hours are Monday to Friday: 6 to 7pm; Saturday: 6am – 5.30pm; Sunday: 6am - 1pm. This is an extra 83 hours and 30 minutes a week of Post Office service, making it far more convenient for customers to visit.

Sarah Cottrell, Post Office Area Manager, said: “We wanted to make it easier for customers to get their cash, send and collect their mail and do their banking because we know how important these services are to local residents. We are confident that this vibrant new-style Post Office at the heart of the local community would meet customer needs. This modernisation would be part of a major investment programme, the largest in the history of the Post Office and will secure services for the future.”

During public consultation, the majority of feedback supported the move to maintain Post Office services locally, central location, parking, easier access and longer opening times.

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The new-style branch was built in line with Post Office specifications to ensure sufficient space for the new style local Post Office to operate alongside the retail offer.

Brill Post Office will be delighted to welcome customers. Local residents and small business customers will be able to access a wide range of Post Office and mails services, including Special Delivery, Local Collect, home shopping returns, online banking cash deposits and withdrawals. Other services include Post Office Card Account withdrawals, sending funds abroad using Moneygram, and customers can also pay bills, pre-order travel money, apply for travel insurance and top up mobile phones.
Sheila Tapster - Post Office

Kindness is lovely

Isn’t it funny how certain people really do go out of their way to help others, while others just stand by.

The other day in the town centre I saw a young man race down the street to help a lady who had tripped over.

People closer to her just stood by or went about their business.

Well done to that young man, and what a shame more people are not like you. 
Jane Martin - Aylesbury

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