SIR – New Road is always fun to visit. No less so than last Sunday when Nottinghamshire came to play Worcestershire.
There was excitement right from the first over when a stunning hat-trick meant three Notts players made the long walk back to the pavilion.
Then a few overs later, “swan stopped play” as a swan made six long slow circuits of the field before rising high enough to see where the Severn was and departing.
But how was such a golden day be turned to ashes – as Worcestershire managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Oh well, at least I have some lovely photos of the splendid grounds and the swan flying past bemused players.
ANDREW HOPE-HALL
Worcester

Watch out, George has gone poetic
SIR – I had a wife, she was unkind,
But I can’t get her off my mind.
I had a good pal, name of Fred,
But now, alas, poor Fred is dead.
I really do like fish and chips,
And apples too, but not the pips.
If I was king, and you were queen,
I’d never say a word obscene.
If I had lots and lots of money,
I’d give it away, I’m funny.
I really do like apple pie,
But onions just make me cry.
It’s so sad to say I am bipolar,
I’ve also got a dodgy molar.
My wife has left me for the milkman,
He gave her lots of jewels and silk, man.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester

A fundraising week we should take pride in
SIR – My very sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our fundraising week.
This involves house-to-house collections in the villages, a collection outside the Co-op supermarket and ends with our ‘Flag Day’ in Pershore High Street.
The total raised was £1,838.18, all of which helps to maintain the Lifeboat fleet around the UK and Channel Islands. In addition to those who donate are the loyal band of volunteers who help every year to hold the buckets and boxes.
Finally my thanks to Pio Palumbo of the White Horse Hotel in Pershore, who every year lets us use his function room free of charge as our HQ.
I can only hope that you have some idea of how much you are all appreciated.
KEITH HOLTON,
Pinvin,
Branch Chairman

What’s wrong with a bit of magnetism?
SIR – Although I did not see the programme, I had read about the idea that a panel of experts would through their expertise match a couple to be compatible. Better a little magnetism where opposites attract.
MRS JEAN HARRIS
Worcester

Cyclist would have been safe using path
SIR – With regard to the cyclist punching a motorist in the face for overtaking him on a roundabout along Townsend Way in Malvern towards Barnards Green, one important matter has largely not been mentioned. That there is a perfectly good cycle path running the whole length of said road.
So basically the cyclist put himself at risk instead of using the safer option of a lane which taxpayers’ money provided especially for cyclists, whereas drivers pay tax to use the road. Just saying.
MISS ALISON POTTER
Hanley Swan

Bernard Shaw would oppose development
SIR – When Malvern Theatre staged the Malvern Festival of Drama in the 1930s George Bernard Shaw used to promenade along Grange Road when his plays were on (by chance they are on again this week).
He would have noticed the magnificent view of the hills seen from Grange Road across Priors Croft; also he would have appreciated the views between the buildings from Rose Bank to Warwick House and through to the theatre and the Abbey Hotel.
 These architectural views have also been a great feature of this beautiful town.
The playwright gained much publicity after he planted a mulberry tree in the Winter Gardens (sadly it has now died).
He is recorded as saying that all these views were magnificent and he hoped they would not be altered by more building work in the future.
We think open spaces and views should be treasured and therefore we are concerned in case the proposed development at Priors Croft should obscure the beautiful hills and amenities.
We hope that the Council will consider very carefully this point of view in their deliberations.
ANNE and IAN MACGREGOR
Malvern

Our very small island
is full to bursting
SIR – It was interesting reading Ian Craig’s ‘Fair Point’ article “Our national identities just hold us back” (Worcester News, August 3).
His thoughts seem to be a reproduction of the lyrics of Blue Mink’s song Melting Pot (1969) and John Lennon’s song Imagine (1970).
Whether you believe in humans mixing to produce a race of just “one colour” or accept that “birds of a feather flock together” has absolutely nothing to do with the Calais problem, and the crisis of mass immigration.
The problem is we live on a very small island.
The UK is smaller than France, smaller than Germany, smaller than Spain, smaller than Poland, smaller than Italy, smaller than Sweden, and smaller than Finland.
Our country is already full.
This is why we need to regain control of our borders and control our population.
Therefore, it is essential that our citizens of all colours, creeds and backgrounds vote ‘NO’ in the forthcoming EU referendum.
MARTYN WHEELER
St Peter’s, Worcester

Where are the jobs     in this country?
SIR – Where are the jobs? The pub industry is bankrupt. The dairy industry is bankrupt. The coal industry has been destroyed. And the jobs market is saturated.
NIGEL CRISP
Malvern