SIR – Recently I wrote about the depleted duck population in Gheluvelt Park,which reminded me of a similar occasion two years ago when all of our feathered friends disappeared well ahead of the dreadful floods, resulting in the park getting so flooded that even the playground was under water. I did think then the birds might have had a premonition,as it was so strange to see the lake deserted till the weather improved.
This time we seem to have escaped most of the rain and not so many ducks have flown away, but experts are now telling us that it is harmful to feed them so much bread.I have lived in the vicinity of the park since 1960 and these birds have never appeared to suffer, and in fact they always look a picture of health.
It is a fact though that the number of birds are low at present, so I sincerely hope that it isn’t due to the bread this time? I feel certain though that the ducks will soon be back to give so much enjoyment to visitors who feed them with (yes) bread. For those who agree with the experts, usually bags of bird seed are available by the compound off Lavender Road.
PHIL PEGLER
Worcester

Out of touch over the EU
SIR – I read that a YouGov poll shows a lead for the Leave Campaign for the first time. The “Leave” campaign is now far ahead with the over ‘60s ahead of the 18-21 age group.  It’s worth recording that in the 1975 EEC referendum there was a 67% vote to stay in the Common Market.  Not a single poll in recent times has had the Remain-in side above 60%. In the 1975 EEC referendum the House of Commons voted 396 to 170 to support Harold Wilson’s “renegotiations”, about 70%  to 30%.  In the electorate the vote was 67% to stay in to 33% to leave so it was quite fair to observe that the people and the politicians were reasonably agreed.   
In 2016 all the major parties including the Scot.Nats.are in favour of remaining in the EU;  only about 70 MPs perhaps 12% of the House of Commons will vote to leave so it will be 88/12 in percentage terms.  Yet there is not a single poll showing the remain-in above 60%  and it is generally running at 50%.  The political class of 2016 plainly is not in touch with the electorate on remaining in the EU.    
Wendy Hands
Upton-Upon-Severn 


Too many negatives
SIR – I was very disappointed by the tone of the headline item filling the front page of the Droitwich Advertiser about the “Eurovision: You Decide” TV programme.
I believe that most townsfolk, in addition to those quoted, would agree that the duo ‘Darline’ did amazingly well to get that far in the competition, and that the appearance before millions of British viewers in a prime-time broadcast of one of our local girls, Abby Inez, is a tremendous filip for the town, and (even though Darline didn’t win it) a great encouragement to the youth of the area.
But instead of enthusing about such a success, the professionalism of the duo, and indeed, the quality of the material, in my opinion the article concentrated too much on the negative:
‘Euro dream is over’, ‘...dreams dashed...’, ‘...missed out...’, ‘...Darline lost out...’
I’ve read happier obituaries.
JOHN PLUSH
Droitwich

Send Putin the bill
SIR - Yes we’ve all seen on TV and in the papers of the chaos in France and now Putin has made things worse by having Syria bombed, and forcing the people to leave, and it’s very moving for these are the true Syrians, not like the ones in France who are from so many countries.
I don’t think I’ve ever known a Russian leader who was human. Stalin was cruel he would have his soldiers in WWII rob the farmers of their food, then the Berlin wall separating families and loved ones, then Hungary in 1956, then Ukraine, they should send Putin the bill.
A Macdonald
Worcester

We can make up own mind
SIR, In reply to Wendy Hands in Upton, I would like to say why should we get behind the Muslim community? We are all capable of making our own minds up regarding EU. I find the Muslims and the Koran has too much say already in our country. Wendy Hands also says she was humbled about Muslims from Pakistan fighting in the last war and dying for this country. Did she now know lots of other countries helped in the last war? I did not read where she says she was humbled at all our own British men and women who died in their hundreds
As for Donald Trump I think he will be good for America, I for one agree with his policies and hope he gets in the White House.
CAROLE ROBERTS
Worcester