OPINION: Letters to the editor of the Newbury Weekly News
I can’t download app so I can’t use bank
How many residents who live in Thatcham are unable to use a smart phone or download an app?
Last month a new banking hub owned by One Bank was opened in the Newbury Building Society branch in Thatcham and I was really pleased that this happened as I have go to the Barclays Bank in Newbury to do a lot of my banking.
The reason being that I lost the use of my right hand in a shoulder operation 12 years ago where the nerve bed was killed and my hand will never recover, therefore I can not hold or swipe a smart phone with both hands and am unable to grip a small item to prod the phone, and of course I cannot download an app.
Surprise surprise! The new machine in the branch is only operated by downloading an app.
Today (Friday, June 28) I have brought this to the attention of Newbury Building Society.
What I want to know is how many other people will not be able to use this wonderful machine in Thatcham?
Mary Eynon
Thatcham
The elderly need more face-to-face contact
I do not think the NHS should be a political issue.
At 91, I recall the days before the establishment of the NHS.
My life has been saved twice by the NHS.
Recently, before my husband died last October, aged 94, we received prompt and expert service from all branches of the NHS – ambulance staff and the staff at our two local hospitals, the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the West Berks Community Hospital.
The main problem for the elderly is that too much has to be done online, and as I am deaf more face-to-face interaction is necessary for an ageing population.
SJL
Chieveley
Council must do their bit to keep estate clean
Like Mrs Lesley Cave (Newbury Weekly News, June 20) I too was astonished by the laying of tarmac on pavements that did not require it.
The day before, I had an in-depth conversation with a town councillor, who was on the campaign trail.
We stood on the pavement opposite my house in Groveland Road discussing the holes and dangerous pavement, which has lost a lot of its top surface.
My neighbour’s gravel from their driveway fills the holes, thus reducing the depth, but the damaged pavement starts at the junction of Brummel Road, and ends at the junction with Lewendon Road.
It has been a hazard for a long time and I have alerted council officers several times in recent years, but there has been no action and it has still not been touched.
It is a school route, regularly used by children, pushchair users and toddlers.
The pavement outside my own house, quite rightly, was not resurfaced this time.
It does not need it.
I did however speak to the strimmer operative earlier this year, because the lack of mowing had caused my stop-tap cover to disappear completely!
It took a long time to find and clear the grass and soil, so that the tap can be accessed in an emergency.
I notice that my next door neighbour has a large service cover within the council grass, and that too has disappeared.
The tall grass makes my hedge impossible to access and trim.
Also it grows into my hedge and garden.
Is this a case of unintended consequences, when a policy is not thought through?
I struggle to keep my property tidy, but ‘do my bit’ to help the estate look cared for and litter free.
Dog walkers, who kindly collect dog poo from our pavements deserve a thank you from our community and council.
Thank you also to residents who are able to cut pavement grass outside their own house.
It makes a huge difference.
I wonder if we are all able to dispose of long grass down the drains, which I assume is where it will go, when the grass gets cut.
Perhaps the councillors would ensure that officers ‘do their bit’ to use some common sense, before we all give up!
B Stephenson
Speen
Ukraine must be able to destroy bridge
As we know, the western powers put restrictions on how Ukrainian can use the weapons they supply.
Indeed, long-range ballistic missiles are not supplied unless accompanied by severe restrictions.
After the recent accord between Russia and North Korea it is understood that ammunition will be flowing into Russia over the Khasan bridge.
The Ukrainians must be allowed to destroy the bridge.
CHRIS AUSTIN
Stroud Green
Sunak’s pride in Brexit is sadly misplaced
On June 23, Mr Sunak wrote “eight years ago today, I proudly voted for Brexit”.
He, a financier, is proud of eight years of continuous strife in his own party because of it and no economical advantage.
Johannes von Stumm
South Fawley
Council don’t make it easy to remove ‘waste’
I’ve been trying to hire a van for a week so that I can clean up my garden.
Shed, swing seat, plastic chairs.
If I hire a van with no signage I can take it up recycling centre in Newbury.
It’s impossible, everyone wants to advertise their business.
So I ask for a collection, which is £60 for five items which have to be put out front, but they don’t take sheds.
Just saying some of the blame for fly tipping maybe should be put on the council.
As you can see, they don’t make it easy for anyone.
Debbie Batten
Newbury
