SIR – Sam Greenway’s report to the Worcester News on the plight of 16 families, originally not finding places for their children in local schools of their choice (Northwick, Claines or Perdiswell) is only the tip of the iceberg in a growing problem.

This group of families have been rewarded by a temporary mobile classroom being promised at Northwick Manor School (I wonder just how many years temporary will be?) The government do not appear to realise that all the hundreds of new houses they have authorised in Worcester alone will cause a growing list of places in schools and doctors’ surgeries, and also bring about two more cars for each property to already overloaded roads.

Phil Pegler

Worcester

Vegan diet is greener

SIR – N Taylor criticises the claim of a previous correspondent that “livestock and their by-products account for 51 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions”

However, research by two World Bank environmental advisers has been published by a respected US thinktank, the Worldwatch Institute, supporting the figure of 51 per cent and suggesting that farmed animals account for at least 32 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, more than the combined impact of industry and energy.

This is in addition to other scientific evidence which indicates that a person who follows a vegan diet produces the equivalent of 50 per cent less carbon dioxide, uses 1/11th oil, 1/13th water, and 1/18th land compared to a meat-lover for their food.

So a vegan diet is not only much kinder for other animals, but much kinder for the environment, too.

Isobel Thorpe

Worcester

Patronising comments

SIR – As a Battenhall ward voter, I am not impressed by the whingeing attitude of the Conservative council leader on losing overall control.

Just as those who were surprised to find themselves on the losing side in last year’s general election (though not, to their credit, the party leaders) blamed other voters for being misled by tabloid newspapers, implying that they alone were voting intelligently, so now the Conservative councillor accuses those who voted Green of being “duped”, while – one assumes – those who voted Conservative did so in full knowledge of the issues and facts. This line is not only silly, patronising and ungentlemanly, but unlikely to endear him to voters in future elections.

Bob Stone

Worcester

No business of Obama’s

Sir – I would guess that I am not alone in regarding with some irritation and scepticism President Obama’s visit to the UK as purely in the US’s self-interest and in tandem with Mr Cameron’s Project Fear. I imagine that Her Majesty saw straight through him with the rest of us who have basic intellectual ability.

He has no business in interfering with our internal affairs nor in threatening that a future trade deal with the US may be up to five or 10 years away if Brits vote for Brexit.

He then goes on to hob-nob with Frau Merkel, hoping to achieve I know not what.

I’d like clarification of what “the special relationship” any longer means. On June 23 British citizens will use their common sense to make a considered decision; after all we managed to protect ourselves from the threat to our sovereignty in 1945. I have no doubt that we shall again, with or without help from the Yanks.

Wendy Hands

Upton-upon-Severn

Veterans of Trieste force

SIR – I am trying to contact any ex-servicemen who served in the Free Territory of Trieste between 1945 and 1954 when allied troops left Trieste and the city was handed over to the Italian authorities.

The British Element Trieste Force Association was formed in 2004 for those ex-servicemen who served in the Free Territory of Trieste from 1945 and 1954.

The average age of our veterans is 85 but we still recruited 22 new members last year. In addition we welcomed seven associate members. These include wives, sons and daughters, some of whom spent time in Trieste as children.

There are opportunities to contact old colleagues through the quarterly magazine and association website. Regional meetings are held in various parts of the country. The 2017 annual reunion will be in Cardiff in March.

If you are interested in more information, please get in touch with me by phone on 01665 589289, by email dagriggs@btinternet.com or write to Suilven, Ellingham, Chathill, Northumberland NE67 5HA.

David Griggs

Membership Secretary, British Element Trieste Force Association

Cost of health tourism is sick

SIR – How  on earth can it be allowed  that the NHS spent £181,000 on a migrant’s bill?

I’d like to see you or me go to their country and get free medical aid.

This  while our sick and dying wait for hours on a trolley.

We should be renaming the NHS, the “free to the world health service”,  as the amount of money we spend on health tourism is sickening.  

Brendan Ellis

Leominster