Letters

Letters The rights and wrongs of Withdrawal Bill

I agree with Adrian Fisher. The Withdrawal Bill should be scrapped for all reasons he mentions. Also, UK and EU musicians and artistes and actors should be allowed to wander at will across the the UK and EU to perform as they have done so for 40 years as messers Elton John and Roger Daltry demand. Also, our exporters and importers should also have tariff and cost free access to EU markets as is their right. And our fishermen and women should also be allowed to carry on as they were. And I too should be allowed to drive on French roads without the need for more red tape in the form of expensive insurance and international drivers licence. And I should also have the right to work and live in the EU as I used to enjoy. Better still let’s rejoin the EU. Garry Barker

n I sympathise with Adrian Fisher MBE regarding the difficulties of doing business with Northern Ireland following the end of the Brexit transition period (Business Opinion edition 11 Feb 19). However, I think his anger is misdirected at the EU. It takes two to make an agreement. We can’t blame the other side for negotiating hard in their own interests, no matter how unreasonable we may feel they have been. Boris Johnson did not have to sign the Withdrawal Agreement and subsequent trade deal which have caused these problems. He repeatedly told us that he was prepared to walk away without an agreement or trade deal and that no deal was better than a bad deal, so he must be happy with them. Indeed on Christmas Eve he told the nation that he had got everything he wanted from the negotiations. Despite what Mr Johnson told us at the time, there was always going to have to be a trade-off between sovereignty and the economy in leaving the EU. In the end, he chose to prioritise sovereignty over 34

Cartoon by Lyndon Wall justsocaricatures.co.uk the economy at least in the short to medium term (indicated as 10 years by Dominic Raab on the Andrew Marr show on the BBC). Theresa May’s proposed withdrawal agreement prioritised the economy at the expense of some degree of sovereignty and would have avoided the problems described by Mr Fisher, but our elected representatives in Parliament chose not to support her. Mr Fisher’s anger should be directed at Boris Johnson and all the MPs who voted against Mrs May’s proposed withdrawal agreement. Dr Gordon Lethbridge Sherborne

n As Adrian Fisher correctly observes in his opinion piece (19/2/21), the UK voted to leave the EU. It was the decision of the Conservative government that we should also have nothing to do with the Single Market, but would instead have to accept all the regulations, forms and impediments that come with being a third country and that are causing him and his business colleagues so much trouble and expense at the moment. It was the decision of Boris Johnson’s Conservative government to put a customs border in the Irish Sea, and Johnson’s claim that of course this would not involve any more bureaucracy or restrictions was either astonishing ignorance or a lie. The EU has certainly not covered itself in glory over vaccines and triggering article 16, but the blame for our current situation rests firmly with the government and their cheerleaders in the media. It is unclear to me how Mr Fisher’s preferred solution of ripping up even the limited trade agreement we have with the EU would make things any better. Neville Morley Castle Cary

n In response to the inclusion of Adrian Fisher’s anti- EU spread in last week’s Opinion column I feel the need to remind readers that the 2016 referendum results showed Northern Ireland as 55.8% in favour of remaining in the EU, well behind Scotland but well ahead of England and Wales. It was Westminster that decided that regional differences should be ignored and the overall result of just 600,000 vote swing voters, equivalent to a city the size of Bristol, decided the outcome of the UK vote. We have all been alerted to the danger of an Irish Sea Border since early 2017 as raised by the DUP vociferously, particularly Ian Paisley Jnr, at the time. It is plainly ridiculous for Boris Johnson, who in 2016 finally decided to campaign to Leave then developed his campaign resulting in the 2019 election to PM, should not be aware of the play of politics. Mr Fisher blames the entirety of this mess upon the EU but that is obviously wrong. There are two parties in every bi-lateral negotiation so Mr Johnson is also to blame, and probably more so as he was the protagonist in the original argument. I agree, we should never have been in this mess. It was a total mess from the start, from the date that the Tory party got scared of their own minority back-benchers, themselves stirred up by the upstart Nigel Farage. If Mr. Fisher voted for Brexit then he must count the cost. I didn’t, but still count the cost, not just personally, to the whole of the U.K. Adrian, think again, think of the 55.8% of the voters in Northern Ireland who didn’t even want any of this to start with! This rot started, and remains, at the core, in Westminster, in the rank & file members thereof. Tim Hargreaves Gillingham

n I used to read the old magazine each week but then gave up as it was all adverts etc. This week I picked up a copy and was pleasantly surprised at the change. I have just spent an enjoyable

couple of hours reading it from end to end. It’s changed dramatically. Your articles are plentiful, lengthy, different, interesting and varied now. Well done. Keep up the good work. I will definitely read it again another week. John Fuller Shaftesbury

n Thank you for your three interesting pages on Zeals House in the late February issue of the New Blackmore Vale. At the time of the millennium Margarite White asked me to write of my memories of Zeals House, which I had known from the early 1930s. I was shipped back from Egypt where I was born and where my father was serving, with heat fever to be looked after by my grandmother and subsequently spent many years living at Zeals House. Margarite was one of three daughters of Farmer White who was tenant of the Home Farm for many years before the last war. Margarite wanted someone who knew Zeals House well to put thought to paper. None of my cousins would oblige and I felt someone in the family should rally round so, reluctantly, I did my best. This is published in A Tale of Two Manors, Zeals a Wiltshire village. Again, many thanks for memories of what was once a glorious house with many happy memories for me. Bill Woodhouse

n Following a driving incident last winter I decided I should not drive again. Having been driving for over 67 years it took some time to adjust to a new life without a car. A complete new situation was created, initially I found there was a limited bus service but it was not long before the service was curtailed as it was no longer cost effective, most of the passengers travelled free as I did. Now we have no local service, I cannot even get to my doctor’s surgery without the cost of a taxi –at least £10 per trip. With a population approaching 16,000 and still growing, car pollution will continue to grow at a considerable cost to the area as a whole. I refer to the BPC Council document ‘a case for change’ and a sum of money is being allocated to Dorset Council to help resolve the situation. But why is there no mention of North Dorset specifically unlike other areas? Perhaps Gillingham Town could financially sustain a new town only bus service funded by a standard fare for all so much per trip. Probably serving the town in two sections all revolving round the town centre. Jerry Anderson Gillingham

n On the ill thought out and seemingly kneejerk reaction to buy St Marys school for £10million, plus taxes and legal costs: Since the purchase DCC are asking comment on their proposal to turn the facility into a facility for special needs children. They are asking for other proposals. Clearly this purchase was not thought out, planned or costed. Not only the purchase price but the ongoing costs of running and maintenance. If a fee-funded school was forced into bankruptcy, what is to stop the same happening under DCC? Councils are dependent on the Government and local community tax payers for their income. The merger of the district councils was sold to us on the basis of economies of scale. Immediately, in this area our rates went up to equal those of Bournemouth. Where are the monies to finance this? This is local government by a bunch of self-important cronies. I believe there is still a trust involved and the school in fact is in Wiltshire, not Dorset. With the merger of the councils and amalgamation of facilities, I would have thought that DCC would have numbers of redundant facilities available to them, across the county. What is equally disturbing is that I have been told by two of my local CCs (one did not return my call) that councillors were not allowed a vote on this matter. The decision was taken as an executive management decision, whatever that is. What it is not is democratic. Why do we vote for councillors when they are denied votes on such important issues? It is pointless. How often do we actually meet a prospective candidate canvassing on our doorstep? In my experience, never. This is taxation without representation. Jeremy Bloomfield East Stour

n I was greatly disturbed to receive this month’s newsletter from Dorset Council, sent to every household, stating that they have decided to withdraw funding from the remaining Tourism Information Centres. At a time when the prosperity of Dorset relies on the reopening and promotion of the Hospitality industry to survive. With little thought or promotion given to the one industry which is the backbone of the rural economy of the west country. Which was why, many years ago I, together with others set up a group known as the DTA. (Dorset Tourism Association) to put pressure on local politicians to acknowledge and recognise the importance of visitors to this vital industry and our local economy. Seems like I gave up the battle too soon? Nothing changes and at a vital moment in this disastrous time Dorset politicians are taking the easy road out again, instead of looking at alternative ways of promoting this vital industry. Della Jones

Spring has sprung!

Here are some pics I took of new lambs on my daily walk at Charlton Musgrove on February 23. They were enjoying the sunshine, jumping around. Nick Dibben

In an age when so many people seem to want to take offence at the slightest thing, a publication like Blackmore Vale could so easily become bland and boring. So it is excellent to see two articles – by Canon Woods on the Church of England and by Adrian Fisher on the Withdrawal Agreement as it affects Northern Ireland - that are feisty, provocative and well argued. I completely agree with both and hope you will continue to give space to such opinion pieces. Roger White Sherborne

Letters Extra Farmers’ market brings a little cheer

During these times I stay away from our lovely, but empty, high street in Sherborne as I hate to see so called non-essential shops shut. Today was different as it was the farmers’ market and there was a distinct bustle about. The picture, right, shows the things I managed to buy in the market and from Steve at the greengrocers. Dorset crab, Wootton Organic cheese, an almond and lemon cake plus a treacle tart and an exciting first for me some award-winning sweet chilli sauce and some marinade too. Steve provided the pink rhubarb and beautiful organic oak leaf lettuce plus some daffodils from Cornwall. I was too late for the organic chicken from the market but I now order in advance. With thanks to all those involved with bringing a little cheer into our lives with their endeavours –you are much appreciated. Barbara Elsmore

n I have a genuine and heartfelt sympathy for Canon Eric Woods DL ‘Loose Canon’ February 19th with his honest appraisal of the Church of England during the pandemic. Streamed, recorded and zoomed services may not, as he suggests, be the same as in person. Spiritual hunger, as rightly observed, is high. I would encourage Canon Woods not to despair since he has through your column in this excellent publication a precious chance to preach the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place for our sins. Through repentance and placing our trust in the Saviour we receive the gift of eternal salvation... and help to meet our every need at this difficult time. I sincerely pray the Lord will strengthen and uphold Canon Woods as he continues his column. Janice Horsman, Yeovil would like to give the impression that the Shaftesbury Civic Society is dead in the water and closing its doors. In fact the members’ voice has not yet been heard: a number of very able professionals and civic minded people have volunteered to take on the trusteeship and management. The trustees’ answer to this has been to close down the public interface. They have removed the website and taken down the social media pages, both essential elements for keeping both the members and public informed. All members should request a copy of the minutes about these extraordinary goings on. It is time the trustees now fulfill their duties and start working to ensure the continuing of a society with an almost 60-year track record. Otherwise resign and make space for able and willing professionals. Write to the society and express your support. Pierre Jordaan Shaftesbury

n Having gained a cycle way, extra traffic lights and easier access to Waitrose, Gillingham has also been deprived of the welcome sight of thousands of daffodils. Were the uprooted bulbs saved? If not, will there be compensation for this loss? If and when there are funds available for replanting may I suggest a succession of early to mid season varieties. It should be possible to enjoy uplifting colour from December to April. A variety called Early Sensation regularly brightens life for Wincanton residents before Christmas and continues into the New Year, an added bonus being the spent leaves will be ready for the first cut of the grass with no detriment to the plant. Shaftesbury has snowdrops in abundance, Wincanton has a stunning display to take them through the dark days, why not brighten Gillingham for spring? CM Ross

n I was interested to read “Loose” Canon Eric Woods’ article in the BV (Feb 19). I share some of his concerns regarding the future of the Church of England. Since 1900, the Church of England has created more dioceses, bishoprics and structures whilst at the same time the number of parochial clergy has declined (especially in rural areas where one priest is probably now doing the work that was done by five or six priests 50 or 60 years ago). People find it easier to relate to their local church. Some struggle with the concept of a united benefice let alone something larger at a deanery or archdeaconry level. Chelmsford Diocesean Synod has approved the axing of 61 posts by the end of this year with the possibility of a further 49 being axed should the financial situation post-covid not improve and this a diocese which now has seven archdeacons! Let’s hope similar reductions are not being planned in Salisbury or Bath & Wells dioceses. John Radford, Wimborne St Giles n There seems to be some disagreement among townspeople (and the council) as to whether the grass verges and green spaces in our town should be kept neat and tidy, or left a little unkempt in order to conserve the wildlife habitats. Feelings on both sides of this argument run quite high, understandably. As a keen gardener and vegetable grower, I have learned over the years about the benefits of wildlife in our gardens and farms. The numbers of all sorts of bugs and small critters are decreasing. The difficulty is in relating all that media stuff to our own back gardens, to the plants we grow and the food we eat. Many of us like to grow veg and even if we don’t have the space or time to grow our own, we often buy our veggies from local markets. Crops need a variety of insects to pollinate them, and all these insects need other insects to feed on, or to provide food for other creatures. Indeed if we had no bees we would lose many of our food crops. So what’s all that got to do with cutting our grass verges or not? Our town is spreading rapidly and many of our fields are being built on and wildlife is losing out. Their natural habitats are disappearing. Just today I was walking in fields which are to become the ‘Southern extension’, and already I felt that this was just a pocket of green space surrounded by roads, and soon to be swallowed up altogether. We need to preserve all the natural vegetation we can: wildflowers for the bees and butterflies to feed on; flower heads for birds to eat and scatter seeds; undergrowth for insects and small creatures. Town verges and green spaces really can look just as good without being regularly cut. We can live happily alongside the wildlife and still keep our green spaces under control with a little careful maintenance. Linda Philp, Threshold Cohousing Community member