NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 07/07/2010 08:47 -
Updated: 07/07/2010 08:49
SIR - I fully support Linda Inoki's comments, in her 30 June letter, regarding the development of Queen's Court.
It is a real tragedy that to accommodate four new mediocre restaurant units it was necessary to dig up the gardens and demolish the high quality granite fountain in the court.
Before the 'revitalised' Queen's Court opened, the Shopping Management Company (SMC) claimed that "it would feature extensive new landscaping to provide a more welcoming, contemporary environment."
However, the new central courtyard looks really drab, with the mature gardens replaced by a few saplings, and the fountain replaced by an unattractive water feature built in depressing black stone.
Michael Devine, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes
SIR - There are now just a few opportunities for members of the public in Milton Keynes to attend an open morning at the Magistrates’ Court, where you will see the courts operating, in the company of an experienced magistrate.
Your guide will be pleased to talk to you about becoming a magistrate, and what is involved in the work of the Magistrates’ Court.
We find that these sessions are interesting to people, whether or not they are contemplating applying to become magistrates themselves. This year there will be no Open Day, so the Open Mornings provide a unique chance to see the courts in action.
The remaining dates for this year’s Open Mornings Wednesday, July 14 and Tuesday August 3. Each session lasts from 9.45 am until 1 pm. Places are limited and must be booked in advance on a special telephone line, 07947 426619, or email mkmic@hotmail.co.uk
Chris Row, Bench Coordinator, Magistrates in the Community
SIR - At the next full council public meeting held at Civic offices on Tuesday 13th July at 7:00/7:30pm, an amendment is being put forward on MKC council housing priorities, in brief its calling on MKC to start on a new build council housing programme and a allocations system that ensures local people are given a greater priority.
The current situation cannot be allowed to continue.
Doing away with the council housing waiting list hasn't solved the problem, building housing and calling it affordable hasn't made it so. Relying on market forces for the delivery of social housing has not delivered either.
Building homes for sale that local people cannot afford to buy is not the answer. The council recently announced that ten thousand new homes had been built in MK over the last five years or so and that another twenty thousand new homes to be built have been granted permission.
Not a single new council house has been built. It is clear to many residents that new council housing has to be built for future generations and to meet current demands.
We should not be denying them the same opportunities as the millions who have benefited from council housing and continue to do so. When the building of new council housing is mentioned an ideological barrier comes down and a stereotype emerges.
There are no council housing-only estates anymore, council housing tenants claim the least amount in housing benefit in comparison to housing association tenants and private renting tenants.
Issues can arise in areas whether you own your property or not.
It makes more economic sense to build publicly owned housing which become assets and will in return give better value for tax payers money and is more accountable, so if people could come along and give their support for the building of new council housing and an allocations system that is fair; this would be much appreciated.
Eamonn Bobey
The hide
MK DEFEND COUNCIL HOUSING
SIR - I hold a disabled parking permit and tried to park in The Point Car Park in Milton Keynes Centre last Saturday 3.7.10. The Magical Menagerie is being assembled there and all the disabled parking has gone!
This Menagerie doesn't open for another week and then runs for 2 weeks and I imagine will need dismantling time after that.
It seems grossly unfair and I have spoken to the Council Parking Department who say there is plenty of other disabled parking around or I can use the ordinary parking places free with the badge.
It is impossible to find a disabled bay most days and especially in the summer when everyone is home. Wheelchairs cannot be assembled for a passenger in an ordinary bay so this means that, although I am by no means a "Killjoy" disabled people will not be able to visit the centre so easily this summer.
Evidently there appears to be no one at the council offices prepared to talk to me about this and say why the ordinary "pay" part of the carpark (which is huge) was not utilised for this event. I think money is probably the answer - there is none to be made out of disabled car parking and plenty to be made out of the rest of the car park and at £3 or £4 for a 5 minute ride on this Menagerie someone will be making a fortune.
J. Hammond
Warmington Gardens, Downhead Park, MK15 9BP
SIR - It was good to read in your article that new MP for Milton Keynes South, Iain Stewart has taken an active role in the battle to end the city's bus saga.
I am glad that he has grasped the anger of many hundreds of people across the city who were incredulous that Arriva should make so many changes to vital services. I understand that a lot of these services are now going to be put back to how they were.
I would like to think the pressure the likes of Mr Stewart, the public and your newspaper have helped with this.
Name and address supplied
SIR - A young lady called Natalie recently left a message on my answerphone saying that she had found my cat's collar that had a tag with my phone number on.
She asked if I would like to collect the collar and also asked if my cat had returned home. Unfortunately I couldn't call her back as she didn't leave her telephone number.
I wondered if you could print this letter in the hope that Natalie's parents might perhaps read it and pass on my thanks to her for taking the time to contact me, and also to let her know that although my cat had obviously stuck his head somewhere that he shouldn't have, he did return home safely.
Nikki Gee
sent by email
SIR - I would like to remind your readers to be vigilant to the signs and symptoms of vital meningitis as the temperatures continue to soar this summer. Cases of the disease are known to peak during periods of hot weather.
Although viral meningitis isn’t life threatening, it can take people a long time to recover and there is no vaccine to prevent it.
I was struck down by a rare form of viral meningitis in September 2005. It came on very suddenly and at first I though I’d had a stroke as I couldn’t feel the left side of my body. Then violent headaches started and I started to drift in and out of consciousness.
Doctors diagnosed meningoencephalitis - a rare form of viral meningitis which causes inflammation of the brain. I spent a total of six weeks in hospital and needed three months off work to recover. It left me struggling with my coordination and speech, fearing my acting days would be over.
Having had meningitis myself I know what people go through with it and also what they constantly go through after having had it, which is why I’m supporting Meningitis UK and urging people to be extra alert at this time of year.
The initial symptoms are the same as bacterial meningitis, its more dangerous counterpart which can kill in under four hours. Meningitis UK advises people to look out for a headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, fever, feeling sick, confusion and drowsiness, diarrhoea and aching joints.
Treatment is usually rest and painkillers and most people make a full recovery without being admitted to hospital. But, in a small number of cases, people who have suffered from viral meningitis may experience after-effects such as recurring headaches, exhaustion, deafness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), memory loss, lack of co-ordination or confusion.
I would urge your readers to request a symptoms information pack, or make a donation to the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, by calling Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visiting www.meningitisuk.org
Joe Swash,
Actor and Meningitis UK patron
It is a real tragedy that to accommodate four new mediocre restaurant units it was necessary to dig up the gardens and demolish the high quality granite fountain in the court.
Before the 'revitalised' Queen's Court opened, the Shopping Management Company (SMC) claimed that "it would feature extensive new landscaping to provide a more welcoming, contemporary environment."
However, the new central courtyard looks really drab, with the mature gardens replaced by a few saplings, and the fountain replaced by an unattractive water feature built in depressing black stone.
Michael Devine, Stantonbury, Milton Keynes
SIR - There are now just a few opportunities for members of the public in Milton Keynes to attend an open morning at the Magistrates’ Court, where you will see the courts operating, in the company of an experienced magistrate.
Your guide will be pleased to talk to you about becoming a magistrate, and what is involved in the work of the Magistrates’ Court.
We find that these sessions are interesting to people, whether or not they are contemplating applying to become magistrates themselves. This year there will be no Open Day, so the Open Mornings provide a unique chance to see the courts in action.
The remaining dates for this year’s Open Mornings Wednesday, July 14 and Tuesday August 3. Each session lasts from 9.45 am until 1 pm. Places are limited and must be booked in advance on a special telephone line, 07947 426619, or email mkmic@hotmail.co.uk
Chris Row, Bench Coordinator, Magistrates in the Community
SIR - At the next full council public meeting held at Civic offices on Tuesday 13th July at 7:00/7:30pm, an amendment is being put forward on MKC council housing priorities, in brief its calling on MKC to start on a new build council housing programme and a allocations system that ensures local people are given a greater priority.
The current situation cannot be allowed to continue.
Doing away with the council housing waiting list hasn't solved the problem, building housing and calling it affordable hasn't made it so. Relying on market forces for the delivery of social housing has not delivered either.
Building homes for sale that local people cannot afford to buy is not the answer. The council recently announced that ten thousand new homes had been built in MK over the last five years or so and that another twenty thousand new homes to be built have been granted permission.
Not a single new council house has been built. It is clear to many residents that new council housing has to be built for future generations and to meet current demands.
We should not be denying them the same opportunities as the millions who have benefited from council housing and continue to do so. When the building of new council housing is mentioned an ideological barrier comes down and a stereotype emerges.
There are no council housing-only estates anymore, council housing tenants claim the least amount in housing benefit in comparison to housing association tenants and private renting tenants.
Issues can arise in areas whether you own your property or not.
It makes more economic sense to build publicly owned housing which become assets and will in return give better value for tax payers money and is more accountable, so if people could come along and give their support for the building of new council housing and an allocations system that is fair; this would be much appreciated.
Eamonn Bobey
The hide
MK DEFEND COUNCIL HOUSING
SIR - I hold a disabled parking permit and tried to park in The Point Car Park in Milton Keynes Centre last Saturday 3.7.10. The Magical Menagerie is being assembled there and all the disabled parking has gone!
This Menagerie doesn't open for another week and then runs for 2 weeks and I imagine will need dismantling time after that.
It seems grossly unfair and I have spoken to the Council Parking Department who say there is plenty of other disabled parking around or I can use the ordinary parking places free with the badge.
It is impossible to find a disabled bay most days and especially in the summer when everyone is home. Wheelchairs cannot be assembled for a passenger in an ordinary bay so this means that, although I am by no means a "Killjoy" disabled people will not be able to visit the centre so easily this summer.
Evidently there appears to be no one at the council offices prepared to talk to me about this and say why the ordinary "pay" part of the carpark (which is huge) was not utilised for this event. I think money is probably the answer - there is none to be made out of disabled car parking and plenty to be made out of the rest of the car park and at £3 or £4 for a 5 minute ride on this Menagerie someone will be making a fortune.
J. Hammond
Warmington Gardens, Downhead Park, MK15 9BP
SIR - It was good to read in your article that new MP for Milton Keynes South, Iain Stewart has taken an active role in the battle to end the city's bus saga.
I am glad that he has grasped the anger of many hundreds of people across the city who were incredulous that Arriva should make so many changes to vital services. I understand that a lot of these services are now going to be put back to how they were.
I would like to think the pressure the likes of Mr Stewart, the public and your newspaper have helped with this.
Name and address supplied
SIR - A young lady called Natalie recently left a message on my answerphone saying that she had found my cat's collar that had a tag with my phone number on.
She asked if I would like to collect the collar and also asked if my cat had returned home. Unfortunately I couldn't call her back as she didn't leave her telephone number.
I wondered if you could print this letter in the hope that Natalie's parents might perhaps read it and pass on my thanks to her for taking the time to contact me, and also to let her know that although my cat had obviously stuck his head somewhere that he shouldn't have, he did return home safely.
Nikki Gee
sent by email
SIR - I would like to remind your readers to be vigilant to the signs and symptoms of vital meningitis as the temperatures continue to soar this summer. Cases of the disease are known to peak during periods of hot weather.
Although viral meningitis isn’t life threatening, it can take people a long time to recover and there is no vaccine to prevent it.
I was struck down by a rare form of viral meningitis in September 2005. It came on very suddenly and at first I though I’d had a stroke as I couldn’t feel the left side of my body. Then violent headaches started and I started to drift in and out of consciousness.
Doctors diagnosed meningoencephalitis - a rare form of viral meningitis which causes inflammation of the brain. I spent a total of six weeks in hospital and needed three months off work to recover. It left me struggling with my coordination and speech, fearing my acting days would be over.
Having had meningitis myself I know what people go through with it and also what they constantly go through after having had it, which is why I’m supporting Meningitis UK and urging people to be extra alert at this time of year.
The initial symptoms are the same as bacterial meningitis, its more dangerous counterpart which can kill in under four hours. Meningitis UK advises people to look out for a headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, fever, feeling sick, confusion and drowsiness, diarrhoea and aching joints.
Treatment is usually rest and painkillers and most people make a full recovery without being admitted to hospital. But, in a small number of cases, people who have suffered from viral meningitis may experience after-effects such as recurring headaches, exhaustion, deafness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), memory loss, lack of co-ordination or confusion.
I would urge your readers to request a symptoms information pack, or make a donation to the Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, by calling Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visiting www.meningitisuk.org
Joe Swash,
Actor and Meningitis UK patron
