SIR – After spending the weekend at my family’s in Lancashire I was made very aware of some key issues perhaps we don’t worry about in Worcestershire.
In terms of fracking the local population are up in arms that their county council’s decision against fracking has caused the Government to impose strict rules to try to override local planning decisions.
Secondly, and astoundingly in the 21st century, people on the Lancashire coast are entering their third week without clean water. Boiling water is essential given the continuing problems of Franklaw Water Treatment plant.
Thirdly, the much-vaunted, and promised, rail links to support a northern powerhouse have been shelved since the election.
All these issues put the Government in the spotlight on a very local level but the lack of more widespread reporting means it gets a brief mention and then is forgotten about.
Thankfully, since the population started moving around we do know what’s going on – but undoubtedly the Government would prefer to isolate such issues.
ADRIAN GREGSON
Labour group leader
Worcester City Council

Don’t ignore benefits of school uniforms
SIR – There appears to be a strong agenda in the national media to focus on the poor struggling to buy school uniform, with the clear benefits of school uniform being totally ignored.
I am concerned that concentration on this rhetoric without a proper understanding of the real value of quality uniform could be detrimental to the schoolwear industry, the schools and the children too.
School uniform is a serious matter and should not be brought down to the lowest common denominator.
These comments certainly reflect the frustration that myself and many of our members at The Schoolwear Association feel during back to school time, when we are working so hard to ensure uniform is available for all those who require it.
DAVID BURGESS
Chairman
The Schoolwear Association
 
Impeccable show from youth theatre group
SIR – On behalf of the entire company, I would like to say how proud I am of the entire cast and crew of the Worcester on Stage Youth Section following opening night of Little Shop of Horrors.
This is the very first production for this new youth theatre group in Worcester and they are certainly impressive.
The singing was impeccable, the production values spot on and the whole show just had so much energy.
The audience were clearly enjoying themselves with many asking already when the next show is!
It is wonderful that Worcester has a new offering on the youth theatre circuit.
My thanks to everyone involved in supporting behind the scenes; too many for the 250 word limit here, though Holly Fields, the director, does deserve a special mention. The show runs until Saturday at the John Moore Theatre, King’s School.
Tickets are two-for-one if bought in advance.
ALAN FEENEY
Company Manager
Worcester on Stage

Crocodile tears over use of the atom bomb
SIR – I have no time for hand-wringing apologists like Sue Avery (My dismay at views about the atom bomb, August 21).
Japan had every opportunity to surrender, as those countries it had conquered were freed by the allies. They chose not to.
The Japanese were warmongers, as well as sadists. They killed and raped their way across China. In what history now knows as the Rape of Nanking they butchered 250,000 Chinese people, something the BBC omitted to mention during their recent bout of crocodile tears, over the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That butchery went on wherever the Japanese invaded.
No serviceman fighting the Japanese in far eastern jungles or tasked with the invasion of Japan regrets the decision to nuke Japan. Every serviceman who died after the Trinity Test died in vain. Moreover if it had become known by the American public, that America had the means to end the war instantly and refused to use it,Truman would have been reviled for all of history.
We don’t constantly vilify the Germans of today for the Holocaust, or the Japanese for their sadism and torture; why then must some keep harping on over America’s use of the bomb?
N TAYLOR
Worcester

Family’s praise for staff at the Royal
SIR – A real life or death situation faced our family a week or so ago.
We had to take my wife Cynthia to the A&E out of hours at the Royal only to discover a major gall stone medical complication requiring urgent action.
She was fast-tracked to the intensive care unit for an operation and then onto Beech ward.
The consultant surgeon Mr Robertson and his team were excellent, caring and very professional, as were the staff on Beech ward.
My wife is now recovering well at home – all thanks to the NHS, its staff and dedication to their job.
The Royal has come in for some criticism of late but our family’s experience has been literally life saving for my wife and all the staff need to be given the credit and recognition they deserve.
PETER & JASON BOLTON
Droitwich Spa