NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 08/09/2010 08:49 -
Updated: 08/09/2010 08:53
SIR - “Become a volunteer, help your local community” we are urged by the Government.
What an awful warning against this (especially against becoming a Trustee) is recorded in MKNEWS, September 1.
Trevor Leach and Vanda Joss, two ordinary, honest citizens, have devoted many years of their lives voluntarily providing sporting facilities for the people of Milton Keynes.
In doing so, they have saved the local council the costs of providing a service which should have been their responsibility.
By helping people to keep fit, they probably reduced demand on local health services.
How have they been rewarded? By being taken to court for the astonishing sum of £16,000 (possibly plus costs).
How has this arisen? It would seem that officers of Milton Keynes Council have been remiss in carrying out their duty for a number of years to allow this situation to arise, and for such a large sum to be involved.
It is sad to compare the treatment that Trevor and Vanda are receiving with that of the lady who was a voluntary swimming coach for many years.
Quite rightly, she received praise and awards for her dedicated service.
The mistake that the “Woughton Two” made was to take their voluntary work further and become Trustees, involving financial dealings with Milton Keynes Council.
I hope that, if Trevor and Vanda lose their case, MKNEWS will set up a fund to help them raise the money they need. All those who have benefitted from the sports facilities at Woughton-on-the Green, will then be able to contribute, and repay something for all their years of dedicated, unselfish work for the community.
Chris Simpson
Whalley Drive
Bletchley
SIR - I would like to respond to your correspondant 'Quality not quantity is key for A-levels' (letters, Sept 1st issue).
Here at MK College we are fully aware of the most appropriate subjects for students to study at A-level in order to progress to particular courses at university. The student in question had already completed A levels in English, Law, Philosophy and Psychology, achieving 'A' grades in all of these, before she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. We then advised her to take A levels in Biology and Chemistry on a 'fast track' basis (AS and A2 in one year); again she passed these with 'A' grades. During her time with us we worked with her to ensure that her 'new' UCAS application was timely and appropriate and that her personal statement addressed her change of direction.
I agree that the subjects studied may affect a student's likely success in gaining a place at university and this is why we give students a great deal of support in choosing both their A level courses and in making their university applications. In this case the subject choices were entirely appropriate and the grades consistently excellent and this is why we felt that the student was unfortunate not to be offered a place.
Duncan Lovell
Head of MK6
MK College
SIR - Through the pages of MK NEWS I would like to thank the members of Milton Keynes North for nominating me as next Leader of the Labour Party.
Winning back the voters Labour lost won’t be easy. Labour has to change, to listen and to become the change that Britain needs. We start this process by electing someone who is ready to face David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions and stand as a credible alternative Prime Minister at the next election. That is why I am standing – to win for Labour.
I am honoured to have the support of Milton Keynes North party members in my campaign. I promise I won’t let you down and that together we will rebuild our party and win for our values.
Local party members have had their say, in a few days millions of party members and members of trade unions will be asked to decide on who should be Labour’s Leader. I would urge all Milton Keynes News readers to use their vote and to visit www.davidmiliband.net to join the debate on Britain’s Future.
Rt Hon David Miliband MP
SIR - RE: Letter of Sept 1, 'Good Lord Grey'.
It is perhaps a pity that it would appear that the Ofsted inspection undertaken at Lord Grey School toward the end of the academic year just gone, and the subsequent report, has not received better publicity. A quick read of the inspection outcome on the ofsted website might well have caused a diferent letter to have beeen published.
It is very easy to improve the GCSE pass rates in any school simply by putting the emphasise on 'teaching to the exam'.
This emphasis is now an endemic, essential and inescapable requirement within the education system which has inevitably lead some Higher Education institutions to introduce basic and remedial 'pre-course courses in numeracy and literacy for new University students.
A fundamental re-assessment of the Key stages 3 and 4 curriculum needs to ensure that this nations future generation's education is sound, effective, secular and suited fully yo the needs of society as a whole. A continuation of the present devisive approach is nothing but a self destruct option.
John Aperson
west Bletchley
SIR - On Sunday, May 23 I travelled on a National Express Coach from Milton Keynes to Darlington. The coash was the 425 London to Newcastle.
It left MK at 11.05am, very crowded, stopping at Leeds, Ripon and harrogate. Quite a few people got off at leeds and a great crowd got on.
When I arrived at Darlington I stood in disbelief for about ten minutes or seemed like, my case was not on the coach.
I hadn't seen it put on the coach as I was busy with my tickets but tthe driver assured me that it was and it wasn't on the pavement so I knew that I was OK.
My case was a pull along black trolley case with a blue luggage label with my name and address and yellow and blue ribbons on the handle.
So there i was at Darlington after five hours travelling in the clothes I stood up in and a handbag.
At first I thought my case was taken by mistake but now four months later I know it has been stolen.
A lot of letters have passed between me and National Express, who have been sympathetic, the police have been notified both here and in Leedsbut to no avail.
I've lost personnel things which are no good to anyone else and it is upsetting.
I travel up to Yorkshire quite often so I don't take out insurance just for a bus journey with one small case.
A letter from National Express said 'While I appreciate your comments all luggage placed in the hold is carried at the passengers own risk... our drivers cannot be expected to remember the luggage each individual passenger is carrying from the various destinations enroute.
The point of this letter is people have no idea who is taking what off a coach, nobody seems to care about lost luggage, I wish somebody would do something about it and the person who took mine hopefully will get there comeuppance one day.
K Hewson
Nettlecombe
Furzton
What an awful warning against this (especially against becoming a Trustee) is recorded in MKNEWS, September 1.
Trevor Leach and Vanda Joss, two ordinary, honest citizens, have devoted many years of their lives voluntarily providing sporting facilities for the people of Milton Keynes.
In doing so, they have saved the local council the costs of providing a service which should have been their responsibility.
By helping people to keep fit, they probably reduced demand on local health services.
How have they been rewarded? By being taken to court for the astonishing sum of £16,000 (possibly plus costs).
How has this arisen? It would seem that officers of Milton Keynes Council have been remiss in carrying out their duty for a number of years to allow this situation to arise, and for such a large sum to be involved.
It is sad to compare the treatment that Trevor and Vanda are receiving with that of the lady who was a voluntary swimming coach for many years.
Quite rightly, she received praise and awards for her dedicated service.
The mistake that the “Woughton Two” made was to take their voluntary work further and become Trustees, involving financial dealings with Milton Keynes Council.
I hope that, if Trevor and Vanda lose their case, MKNEWS will set up a fund to help them raise the money they need. All those who have benefitted from the sports facilities at Woughton-on-the Green, will then be able to contribute, and repay something for all their years of dedicated, unselfish work for the community.
Chris Simpson
Whalley Drive
Bletchley
SIR - I would like to respond to your correspondant 'Quality not quantity is key for A-levels' (letters, Sept 1st issue).
Here at MK College we are fully aware of the most appropriate subjects for students to study at A-level in order to progress to particular courses at university. The student in question had already completed A levels in English, Law, Philosophy and Psychology, achieving 'A' grades in all of these, before she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. We then advised her to take A levels in Biology and Chemistry on a 'fast track' basis (AS and A2 in one year); again she passed these with 'A' grades. During her time with us we worked with her to ensure that her 'new' UCAS application was timely and appropriate and that her personal statement addressed her change of direction.
I agree that the subjects studied may affect a student's likely success in gaining a place at university and this is why we give students a great deal of support in choosing both their A level courses and in making their university applications. In this case the subject choices were entirely appropriate and the grades consistently excellent and this is why we felt that the student was unfortunate not to be offered a place.
Duncan Lovell
Head of MK6
MK College
SIR - Through the pages of MK NEWS I would like to thank the members of Milton Keynes North for nominating me as next Leader of the Labour Party.
Winning back the voters Labour lost won’t be easy. Labour has to change, to listen and to become the change that Britain needs. We start this process by electing someone who is ready to face David Cameron at Prime Minister’s Questions and stand as a credible alternative Prime Minister at the next election. That is why I am standing – to win for Labour.
I am honoured to have the support of Milton Keynes North party members in my campaign. I promise I won’t let you down and that together we will rebuild our party and win for our values.
Local party members have had their say, in a few days millions of party members and members of trade unions will be asked to decide on who should be Labour’s Leader. I would urge all Milton Keynes News readers to use their vote and to visit www.davidmiliband.net to join the debate on Britain’s Future.
Rt Hon David Miliband MP
SIR - RE: Letter of Sept 1, 'Good Lord Grey'.
It is perhaps a pity that it would appear that the Ofsted inspection undertaken at Lord Grey School toward the end of the academic year just gone, and the subsequent report, has not received better publicity. A quick read of the inspection outcome on the ofsted website might well have caused a diferent letter to have beeen published.
It is very easy to improve the GCSE pass rates in any school simply by putting the emphasise on 'teaching to the exam'.
This emphasis is now an endemic, essential and inescapable requirement within the education system which has inevitably lead some Higher Education institutions to introduce basic and remedial 'pre-course courses in numeracy and literacy for new University students.
A fundamental re-assessment of the Key stages 3 and 4 curriculum needs to ensure that this nations future generation's education is sound, effective, secular and suited fully yo the needs of society as a whole. A continuation of the present devisive approach is nothing but a self destruct option.
John Aperson
west Bletchley
SIR - On Sunday, May 23 I travelled on a National Express Coach from Milton Keynes to Darlington. The coash was the 425 London to Newcastle.
It left MK at 11.05am, very crowded, stopping at Leeds, Ripon and harrogate. Quite a few people got off at leeds and a great crowd got on.
When I arrived at Darlington I stood in disbelief for about ten minutes or seemed like, my case was not on the coach.
I hadn't seen it put on the coach as I was busy with my tickets but tthe driver assured me that it was and it wasn't on the pavement so I knew that I was OK.
My case was a pull along black trolley case with a blue luggage label with my name and address and yellow and blue ribbons on the handle.
So there i was at Darlington after five hours travelling in the clothes I stood up in and a handbag.
At first I thought my case was taken by mistake but now four months later I know it has been stolen.
A lot of letters have passed between me and National Express, who have been sympathetic, the police have been notified both here and in Leedsbut to no avail.
I've lost personnel things which are no good to anyone else and it is upsetting.
I travel up to Yorkshire quite often so I don't take out insurance just for a bus journey with one small case.
A letter from National Express said 'While I appreciate your comments all luggage placed in the hold is carried at the passengers own risk... our drivers cannot be expected to remember the luggage each individual passenger is carrying from the various destinations enroute.
The point of this letter is people have no idea who is taking what off a coach, nobody seems to care about lost luggage, I wish somebody would do something about it and the person who took mine hopefully will get there comeuppance one day.
K Hewson
Nettlecombe
Furzton
