Letters

Wealth, growth and planet’s survival

IN two recent editions of the New Blackmore Vale (September 16, October 14) Jeremy Bloomfield has used the term ‘woke’ to refer to anyone with whom he disagrees.

I confess to being ‘woke’ since the 1970s when, still in my 20s, I realised not only that the world was – is – finite but also that we should start limiting our rate of consumption.

The almost universal mantra of economic growth assumes that there are enough resources in the world to satisfy everyone’s aspiration for limitless wealth.

With very little interruption, this country has had decades of economic growth since the Second World War, but with very mixed results for people’s standard of living.

If the ‘trickle-down’ theory espoused by free-marketeers really works, why has the growth of bankers’ bonuses not reduced the length of queues at food banks? It’s a question of fairer distribution.

Surely this country is already wealthy enough without competing for the world’s limited stock of resources with countries that can barely feed themselves.

Then, in ridiculing ‘green’ policies, Mr Bloomfield says this country is responsible for only one per cent of the world’s emissions – that might be the case in terms of what happens on mainland Britain, but it ignores the fact that most of our goods – and therefore our emissions – are produced overseas.

The 19th century philosopher and politician John Stuart Mill once asked: “When all this growth has come to an end, in what state do we expect to find ourselves?” Well, that depends on whether we can reach a ‘steady-state’ economy in harmony with nature.

We could start planning a route now – or wait until the natural world is so devastated that our own survival is threatened. As pointed out by Dr Sylvia Hixson Andrews (New Blackmore Vale, October 14): “Mother Nature couldn’t care less about our ‘needs’.”

I would, however, agree with Mr Bloomfield’s closing comment in his September letter: “This Government has no concept of forward thinking or of governance”.

Revd Colin Marsh Gillingham

MANY people will be grateful to you for printing the letter from Jeremy Bloomfield (New Blackmore Vale October 14).

If indeed Mr Bloomfield is the epitome of Conservative party members it provides a valuable insight into the thinking that chose Liz Truss as Prime Minister. I read the letter on the day I learned the recently appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer had resigned, and even before your next edition hits the streets, so had the Prime Minister.

In his outspoken attack on our own chosen local representative, Mr Bloomfield reminds me of a character called Zimri in one of Dryden’s political satires. “Railing and praising were his usual themes; And both – to show his judgement –in extremes.”

I am not a Conservative but a floating voter. A previous representative of North Dorset, Nicholas Baker, was very helpful to me as a constituent and earned my support as a result.

At the time of the Brexit referendum I was disappointed by a statement from Simon Hoare in the then Blackmore Vale magazine that he would not declare how he would vote but that he could understand why people in this constituency might vote either way. I felt that showed a lack of leadership.

However, since then Mr Hoare has shown some mettle. By calling the then Prime Minister out over the Owen

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall – justsocaricatures.co.uk Paterson affair he stood up for clear moral purpose in face of what must have been considerable pressure from party whips and the opinions of his local party, if Mr Bloomfield is typical.

His views on seeking closer ties to our nearest market, and on fracking, expressed in your columns seem eminently sensible.

I notice Mr Bloomfield accuses our MP of being ‘woke’, whatever that means. So, what does it mean Mr Bloomfield? Or is it just an empty catch-all slur?

Back to Dryden again and his description of Zimri: “...every man with him was god or devil.” Mr Bloomfield proposes Lord Frost as our local MP! Surely not the same Lord Frost that negotiated the Brexit deal and subsequently repudiated it, and which has left us with a seemingly insoluble problem over trade to and from Ireland? A curious choice indeed because unless he resigned his peerage, Lord Frost would be ineligible to stand. With such great minds in play within the Conservative rank and file one is tempted to say that it is the local party that does not deserve Mr Hoare and not the other way around.

Jit Davies Via email

FURTHER to the report by the House of Commons Health Committee which found that patients no longer have relationships with their GPs, I can indeed confirm that I am no

longer a person – just a number on a long practice list.

It seems my needs do not matter, my lack of a mobile phone and ‘apps’ make me a nuisance and I am put off seeking medical help if at all possible.

I have several medical problems but have never bothered doctors unless urgent. I was raised to believe that you only made an appointment with a GP if symptoms were serious.

My recent experience has led me to the conclusion that I should remain quiet and at home self- medicating until I reach a point where I cannot continue and then go to an overworked Accident and Emergency department in a crisis, possibly not to recover.

That should free up more practice space and as I am only a number it will matter little to anyone except my family and friends.

Speaking to others I have found they too are experiencing similar problems with these ‘IT solutions’ from appointments to repeat prescriptions. What a sad state our once fabulous health service is in.

Name and email address supplied

I ENJOY the inclusion of articles in the New Blackmore Vale from the political parties. It feels democratic at a time in our history when recent governments have failed to uphold democracy, becoming blatant in their actions.

It was sad, therefore, to see Mike Chapman’s irritable column in your previous issue.

It is perfectly reasonable to ask a party spokesperson to account for the action or inaction of their county councillors. Who else should one ask?

There is nothing normal about the situation in Shaftesbury town centre – so many shops have closed since the lifting of restrictions following the pandemic. Access for pedestrians to the remaining shops and businesses should be front and centre in councillors’ minds for the survival of the high street.

I can only conclude from his column that Mr Chapman, on behalf of the Lib Dems, consider themselves unimpeachable and above any scrutiny, and furthermore, have done nothing about the situation. How very disappointing.

J Daultrey Shaftesbury

IN response to Bill Summers regarding the build-out along Bath Road in Sturminster Newton (New Blackmore Vale, October 28), I would like to clarify that this was not to solve a traffic calming issue. Across the road are 18 independent living units with people who must cope with multiple and complex issues. Living independently means they would like to access our town – however, the pavement runs out further along the road and a safe place to cross was very much needed.

I would add that several Stour Connect users have mobility problems and have found this really helpful, too – along with a number of school children crossing to the High School.

Indeed. some parents are now allowing their youngsters to walk to school by themselves now, rather than having to accompany or drive them as they feel safer in the knowledge of a crossing point.

If this has the effect of slowing the traffic down then that’s probably not a bad thing either!

Despite all sorts of views and comments, the build-out really was a lot cheaper than a zebra crossing!

Cllr Carole Jones Sturminster Ward for Dorset Council

AS we approach Remembrance Day 2022 and we remember all those that paid the ultimate price in conflicts that have taken place since the Great War, 1914-18, it is with deep sadness to me that Gillingham War Memorial remains hidden and neglected.

It used to stand proud in the high street but now stands towards the back of the town car park where, unless you know where it is, you will probably need a sat-nav to find it. I have been informed that it is scheduled to be cleaned before Remembrance Day but as of 3 November still no action.

Had the memorial remained in its original place in the high street it would never have been allowed to get into this awful state where it is not even possible to read the inscription.

The phrase ‘lest we forget’ seems a bit hollow here.

It can be put right and it must be put right, and this wonderful memorial reinstated in the original position and respect shown to those who laid down their lives for a better tomorrow.

God Bless them all.

Dennis Davison Gillingham

Letters

Baden-Powell protectors

I WOULD like to respond to the article ‘Baden-Powell: The story of a complicated man’ (New Blackmore Vale, October 28) and the claim that “scouts clashed with political activists as crowds of bewildered locals looked on”.

My recollection of June 11 2020 at Poole Harbour was that no protesters sought to remove the statue of Baden-Powell.

Indeed, there were more members of the press than anyone hoping this would happen.

The rest of us were there to protect the statue. In my picture (attached) was a teacher – and me – who was proclaiming that we cannot rewrite history. I have another picture of scouts who arrived from Wales.

It was raining and we left for home as more locals arrived. The overall opinion was that the statue would not be removed and the locals would make sure of it by standing guard.

It was not removed and it was boxed up for protection. A win-win of sorts for common sense.

Eileen Tyrrell via email

Did you remember us?

Remembrance Day and big parade The bugle blown, the poppies laid And tears are shed for those most fear Who died for us and are not here

Did you stand and say a prayer Thinking of those souls out there? Lying in a grave so cold Lots of men with names untold

Did you think of the price we paid And who in far-off fields are laid? Deep in the cold and lonely ground We cannot hear the bugle sound

We gave our lives so long ago When we came here to fight the foe With soldiers from the world so wide We fought so hard, but so many died We gave our lives so you’d be free To see the sun, the stars, the sea

So live your life and heed our call Be kind and loving to one and all But most of all to those most dear Hold them close and keep them near

Our bodies lie in some cold grave But our dear Lord our souls did save He gathered all from far and wide And now we sit here at his side

So when you stop to think and pray Remember what you’ve read today We had a heavy price to pay So you could stand, so quiet and say