SIR – So far this winter Worcester’s floods have mainly been the result of the weather elsewhere.We have not had anything like the conditions in Wales and the north.
However it is not so long ago that we had such atrocious weather ourselves that Gheluvelt Park had to be closed as even the playground was under water.
On that occasion all but two dozen of several hundred ducks disappeared well beforehand, as if they had a premonition, and did not return till well afterwards.
Recently I notice all our feathered friends but about one duck and two swans have again vanished. Is this a sign? I hope not!
PHIL PEGLER
Worcester

Spineless Cameron panders to the EU
SIR – David Cameron has become a total embarrassment. He has been wandering about Europe, pussyfooting, begging other leaders to let him run the country he is paid to run !
He has no intention of leading us out of the EU, Cameron wants us in it...pure and simple. He will cheat, lie and do deals behind closed doors to make sure we remain in.
The man has no spine, he is weak. Just make a date for the referendum Dave. By doing that we would find out if the UK is important enough for the EU to listen...or not. If not then we should walk away, with a £50 million a day subscription fee.
The EU is a laughing stock, no controls on who or whom goes where, a sleazepit of giving money away to who ever wants it, not earns it. We are in shackles, and must obey our glorious EU masters... Look to the heavens people, Let the birth of a new year be the rebirth of our once great nation. The EU has put a pen in your hand – turn it on them.
B ELLIS
Leominster

Fighting the case for Iryna Mynich
SIR – Iryna Mynich is a 14-year-old Ukrainian orphan. She was sent on a respite holiday to Britain as she lives near the radioactive site of Chernobyl. 
Iryna’s mother was killed by shellfire in the Ukraine and she has no living relatives. 
The  Voysey family Iryna was staying with in Cornwall want to legally adopt Iryna. But Theresa May, the Home Secretary, is deporting Iryna back to the war zone – at the same time welcoming 20,000 Syrian refugees to Britain all expenses paid by you the taxpayer. Iryna’s adopted parents foot the bill for Iryna themselves. 
You can about read Iryna’s treatment via European Knights project, europeanknightsproject.com. 
Perhaps the do gooders such as Bishop Inge and Green councillor Julian Roskams who welcome refugees can fight Iryna’s case. Or will they remain silent and gutless?
CARL MASON
BNP, Worcester

Why oppose housing reforms for landlords?
SIR – It has not gained much publicity but recently Tory MPs voted down a rule that would have forced landlords to ensure their properties were fit for human habitation. Opposition MPs asked for the new rules to be added to the new Housing Bill. 
The new rules would have required all private sector landlords to make sure their properties are fit for people to live in.
St John’s has a lot of rented housing, not just for students but for families as well.  The majority of landlords let property which is and remains in a decent standard; but it is distressing when we see homes which are frankly unfit for human habitation being let, often at obscene prices. I have seen the problems experienced by some renters like mould on the walls, poor heating, no maintenance and poor safety checks.  
Tenants deserve protection but so do the good landlords who do the right thing for their tenants, they need the extra regulation to protect their business from those unscrupulous and often absentee landlords who not only cause problems for tenants but for their neighbours as well.
I fail to understand the motives of any government in opposing such reforms, new rules which would have protected both tenants and landlords, ensured investment in property and made all houses fit for habitation.  Why would anybody oppose such an idea?
RICHARD UDALL 
City and county councillor, St John’s

Charity should begin at home not abroad
SIR – India’s economy will be bigger than Britain’s by 2020. 
In one sense that is good – but must it be done with British taxpayers’ money?
Since 2010 we have handed over £1.54 billion, to a country that has its own space programme.One has to ask does India really need this money? It’s classed as aid, but aid for what? 
We must stop this barmy notion of giving money away to countries that don’t need it – especially with the recent floods here in the North, where the money could be spent far more wisely.
I’m sure the people flooded out of their homes over Christmas will love to know of our generosity to other countries.
GB DIPPER
Leominster

I’ll be staying at home thank you very much
SIR – You won’t get me on one of those new super-speed trains. When a fast train crashes it really crashes
– ouch! 
I cannot walk far, either (I’ve got dodgy knees) – so I think I’ll quietly stay in my flat. Everybody is in a rush nowadays. Sit still and pray.
GEORGE COWLEY
Worcester