Sir – I’m sorry that Rob Holloway felt distaste that “a large, loud-mouthed man” was “berating the race-goers” outside Worcester Racecourse (Distaste over a horse race protester, Worcester News, July 2).
Many people who attend the races are not aware of the high death-toll of horses at the racecourse, nor of the thousands sent to slaughter annually by the British horse racing industry.
Therefore, shouting at members of the public is certainly not the best way to educate them about this appalling situation.
However, one can understand people getting angry and upset about what happens to the horses, as the gentleman in question obviously was.
It’s a great shame that Mr Holloway appears to be more distressed about a “loud-mouthed man” than by the suffering and slaughter of innocent animals.
On the day in question, while he and his family were having “a lovely time” in Worcester, yet another horse lost his life on the racecourse, to add to the eight that were killed there last year.
Ronald Lee
Communications Officer
Worcestershire Vegans &  Veggies
Kidderminster


Heads should roll over shoddy roadworks
SIR – It has been a good while since the Ketch saga started and also the dreaded Whittington roundabout of which I have personal experience. We now have reports, not just in the media, of horrific traffic jams all across the city and not enough people working on them. I read with interest David Ludlows’ entry (July 2) about Ambleside.
I ask you, and the people of Worcester, WHO are these people that make the decisions to dig up the road and do a half-job? If they have to fix the road then fine – but two things should be clear:
1) Use competent people not just the ones dragging out the hours for overtime, maybe a few that actually care also.
2) Use common sense that peak-times will be awful and act accordingly.
I recently had to endure a nearby road being re-done and the temporary lights were being manned by what can only be described as a Jeremy Kyle wannabe – spitting every few seconds and on his mobile phone, top off and generally not giving one iota of a damn.
Why should we put up with this disgraceful “service” time and time again? I am not paying my taxes for an idiot to spit by some traffic lights while I wait to get home after a 10 hour day.
Who are the people in charge? Why are they in charge? Why aren’t heads rolling? Until the internal corrosion of the council is scraped away then this will always happen. They keep failing at every corner and I  am sick of it.
GEORGE ANSTEY
Bromsgrove

Hospital staff did our dear father proud
SIR – The NHS is not all doom and gloom.
As a family we have recently lost our father and a loving husband. He spent the last four months of his life partly in the Alexandra, Redditch, The Royal at Worcester but mostly at Avonside Hospital, Evesham.
From consultants to cleaners everyone was so caring, understanding and helpful.
The staff on Abbot ward were obviously very busy but were kind at all times.
We see reports so often in the news about the NHS that we felt we had to point out that no matter what strain they are under caring and kindness to the patient is their priority!
SUE NEWMAN
On behalf of the Gardiner family, Hinton On The Green, Evesham.
We all deserve quality time with our children
SIR – A primary school teacher has decided to take drastic measures and kick pupils out if their parents take them on hols during school term time.
Angela Konarewski
has told them, education is more important than a holiday. Try telling that
 to the single parents, who rarely see their child, or those who simply cannot afford holidays in school shutdown times.
Every parent has right to quality time with their children, and if there attendance record is good, then there should be no issue.
Or perhaps someone would like to clobber the greedy firms that deliberately hike prices in school holidays?
This country employs hundreds of thousands in the tourism industry – just think of the consequences if all decided to up and book a cheaper foreign holiday?
GB DIPPER
Leominster


Thanks go to everyone in efficient team
SIR – Our local hospital seems to suffer all sorts of shortcomings if you believe what you hear, but I’d like to say that my experience proved the complete opposite.
Following an accident I was met by an efficient team including a charming student nurse, Natalie, a nurse, John, who glued me together, and Dr Kellet (excuse the spelling), who ruled out other damage.
A personal thank you, and well done Worcester Royal.
JOE ROPER
Ombersley

Bring back the good old school methods
SIR – Back in the 50s we used to talk of the three Rs.
Reading, riting and rithmatic.
We all need more education.
GEORGE COWLEY

Worcester