Well impressed

I would also like to say I am disgusted with Wychavon District Council for removing the yellow ribbons to support the Save Our Lido campaign. Wychavon is using every power it has to try to hide any support for the lido. As for the ribbons looking untidy, just look at what an eyesore the lido is now after years of neglect. The lido could be used for a training pool for the Olympics. This would be a really good incentive to get it up to scratch again.

Mrs B Coton

Droitwich Spa

(by e-mail)

Lido lament

I was in Peterborough the other day when I heard this strange sound, a sound I remember from my youth - the sound of children having a good time in their local lido!

When is the group of self-opinionated people who call themselves a council going to get off their thrones and see what goes on around them? Talk to anyone in the country and if they've heard of Droitwich Spa, the first thing they mention is the lido.

Or is the lido going to be just another page in that well-known book of Droitwich in the olden days, with the epitaph reading 'Demolished in 200?'

Ivor Wakelam

Nunnery Avenue

Droitwich.

What a waste!

Has Droitwich been left with the most appalling refuse system since Adam met Eve? Before was bad enough, with bags being missed or spewed on to the ground without a care of the bin men. Now we have to take our bins to the end of the path as the dustmen can no longer be bothered to walk up the path.

Look at our neighbours in the Cotswolds. They can put almost anything kerbside for collection and they take it. They have tubs for glass and paper with special wagons to take it away in. They have green tubs for green waste that is also collected.

If you live in Droitwich and your Hoover cleaner wears out, you can leave it for the dustman and it will still be there when your new one gives up too.

For green waste, you can buy a tub and pay for it to be removed on top of the rates you already pay. For household items, they will again take it away for a small charge

And they wonder why fly tipping is so apparent in Worcestershire! The service we pay for is a sham.

A Powell

Droitwich Spa

(by e-mail)

Filter farce

Back in April, when it was clear to any driver that the stupidly-planned traffic lights at the junction of Worcester Road and Tagwell Road in Droitwich Spa were causing far more problems than they had solved, my e-mail of complaint to Wychavon Council prompted a telephoned reply from a manager.

He appeared to agree that the lights set-up was unsatisfactory, particularly when drivers waiting to turn right into Tagwell Road caused tailbacks along Worcester Road.

He promised that an audit and evaluation would be taking place and that "something" would happen within a couple of months or so.

Nothing did - until last week when there was a flurry of activity at the lights; groups of important-looking people in fluorescent over-jackets pointing, waving arms and running out into the traffic with tape measures.

The result? Someone with a very tiny tin of paint had daubed a few feet of thin white line and a miserly, barely visible, little arrow pointing vaguely towards Tagwell Road.

As a traffic filter, it is utterly pathetic - ignored already, and useless to anyone driving anything bigger than a Reliant Robin. Do any of these road planners actually drive?

R A Wright

The Oaklands

Droitwich Spa

Hostel worry

I was surprised to read that Step Out Drop In Ltd hope to open another hostel "in Droitwich town centre". By their own admission, they couldn't afford the staff cover required by the Housing Association for their previous venture and, disconcertingly, they didn't think that it was necessary.

The concept of helping unfortunate young people is laudable, but people living in the locality of the former hostel consider that inadequate training and supervision were provided.

The effect on the neighbourhood was detrimental and property values declined as it became difficult to find anyone who wanted to live nearby.

If moves to open another hostel do proceed, potential lessors should look at the state of the former premises.

Potential business and residential neighbours should be vigilant and take what steps they can to protect their environment.

D I Davidson

Droitwich Spa

Parking gloom

The views expressed by Mr D G Hoist in the July 20 issue on the subject of Droitwich Spa car parks are fully endorsed, but the chances of such a charge of heart taking place are zero.

Having moved to the Spa in 1990, and reaching pensionable age in 1998, I was very pleased to receive free parking tickets as one of the very few OAP concessions from Wychavon District Council.

My enjoyment was short lived, however, when even this modest benefit was withdrawn - an action which has caused widespread resentment amongst senior citizens.

It is one thing to hope for the same privileges accorded to other pensioners elsewhere in the UK, and to be disappointed when this does not happen, but to then see such small benefit taken away is disgraceful.

Since that occurrence, I have never once used a Droitwich car park, nor do I follow Mr Hoist's advice in his closing words, and shop elsewhere.

GA Phipps

Droitwich Spa

Just the ticket

Please could you bring to the attention of your readers on The Ridings and Tagwell Heights that we now have been included in a regular local bus service, operated by MHS Travel on routes 157 and 19? Timetables can be picked up from the Spa Shop by the bus stop in Ombersley St. The buses have been running since June 13, but many residents seem unaware of the changes. We are fortunate to have the reliable services of MHS Travel; the bus drivers are all cheerful and considerate to passengers, a rare commodity in these days. Lets hope more people will travel with this excellent company and that we will keep our buses. Well done MHS Travel and thank you.

Gill Firkin

Showell Close

Droitwich Spa

'Quality' lido

In his recent letter to the Advertiser, councillor Christian-Brookes welcomes the coming of Waitrose to Droitwich as the "quality benchmark" for local shopping - a supermarket which will in his words "move the town forward to a brighter future".

When considering "quality" and "a brighter future", will he and his fellow councillors on Wychavon council also encourage work towards an uncompromised high-quality lido that will re-vitalise the centre of our town? Or will they hold back because it might cost us a little more in council tax?

The number of properties in Droitwich has grown considerably in the last ten years - surely its leisure facilities can also grow. Although as a family we may not use all the facilities of a lido, we would like to hear once again the cries of people enjoying themselves. Surely, the occasional noise is a small price to pay for something which will encourage more people to visit our beautiful park!

M Beeching

Manor Close

Droitwich Spa

Ribbons fury

I am really angry with the council for re-moving the yellow ribbons around the town. What was wrong with it? I'm sure there is no law against it. And as for a few people saying they were against it, I don't believe it! I'm sure all the people of Droitwich are for the lido to be re-opened so why take my heritage away?

Who are these councillors? They are strangers from out of town, who have done things against the will of local people. Droitwich councillors of the past kept our heritage and knew everyone in the town. Please, you councillors of today, be sensible and let us have our lido back and like it used to be. People from all over Worcestershire and further afield will use it, I can assure you. The town of Droitwich belongs to the people, and everyone would be happy if the lido was restarted. I don't want to see it go or be altered - it is our heritage.

Jean Lloyd-Williams

Droitwich Spa

Market force

Here's how Waitrose can win over the people of Droitwich at one fell swoop - offer to fund the re-opening of the town's lido as Waitrose Waterworld!

Graham Taylor

Lahn Drive

Droitwich Spa