Sir – By coincidence I have had two emails today within a couple of hours, sending me the photos and your article of the great news of the “opening for business” of the new Worcester Breast Care Unit. 
 I also spoke to a long time friend of Jacqui Heal from Fernhill Heath who had been to the unit a few days ago for a check up after a mastectomy. 
 I may be a long way from Worcester, having emigrated to New Zealand eight years ago, but I have been kept up to date of the Worcester News coverage of the campaign to build the unit,  by letter/email/telephone/Facetime. 
My late wife, Jacqui Heal, and her friend the late Cherry Robinson who followed her as Chair of the Worcester Breast Care Support Group, would be ‘over the moon’ at the completion of the Unit, as will all members of the WBCSG.  
I’m sure Jacqui would love to be the Specialist Breast Care Nurse at the Unit, as she was at Worcester Royal Infirmary. Cherry would be equally delighted to see the culmination of a campaign into which she put so much time and energy.  
She was one of Jacqui’s first patients many years ago.
So many people in Worcestershire, and probably beyond, have been involved in the campaign to raise funds, ably lead by Stephen Thrush and others, that there must be wide spread rejoicing that the Unit has now opened.  
Job well done.  I look forward to hearing of the date of the Official Opening so that I can book my flight to the UK to be there.
Richard Heal
Rangiora, New Zealand 

Support for councillor
Sir – Councill0r Chris Mitchell is very wrong to criticise Cllr Neil Laurenson with regard to the topics Cllr Laurenson has brought before Worcester City Council (“Councillor wrong about cuts”, WN, March 16).
I think Cllr Laurenson has done excellent work, especially in getting snares banned on council land and in trying to get the council to support the hunting ban.
I want my city council to have a humane attitude to animals and to oppose cruelty, and any decent person should feel the same.
So well done Neil Laurenson and I only wish you represented the ward I live in. I very much hope we get a Green Party councillor with similar views to yours elected here soon.
Peter Talbot
Worcester

A war on pensioners?
Sir – Why are our Government so hell bent on declaring war on pensioners? Started way back in 1997, by the then chancellor Gordon Brown,whom raided the pension funds of the final salary pension sector, and has been kept being raided ever since. 
And all along the Government tells us that we will need to work longer before retirement as there is no money left? No money left? This is “our” money, paid in tax and national insurance, so the Governments have basically robbed us.
So what now? Work until 70? Maybe 80? Do you really think people doing hard manual jobs will be able to? By then many will be struggling or claiming incapacity on top of other things.
Brendan Ellis
Leominster

I’m still proud to be British
Sir – My husband and I recently visited Bletchley Park where the Second World War Enigma decoding was carried out. 
 It was fascinating and made me feel proud to be British particularly bearing in mind the forthcoming referendum in June when the British people will 50 years on once again face the need to safeguard our country’s sovereignty.  It is now also potentially to be greatly affected by the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)  a deal between the EU and US authorities which worried campaigners fear will increase the power of multinationals at the expense of democracy and the general good.
  A major issue about the deal is how much of the negotiations/discussions has been carried out in secret with only media leaks keeping the public informed.
It appears that EU and US are determined to put big business at the heart of decision-making in a direct threat to democratic principles and putting them both in a position to influence lawmaking before a proposal has even been presented to parliaments.  
Those researching the potential effects of TTIP have reached the conclusion that all in all the extent to which big business will be able to influence regulations under these proposals represents a serious threat to democracy as we understand the term. Far from swallowing Mr Cameron’s “Project Fear”  about the safety of our borders from terrorists  I agree with those who have researched TTIP and have reached the conclusion that “Brexit” 50 years on presents the best option for our country; so many fought for our sovereignty then. 
I shall do my best not to shirk from the task facing us now.
Wendy Hands
Upton-Upon-Severn   
 
Traffic island is just useless
Sir – Following on the debate about road marking and crossings near the new Lidl store has anybody noticed the completely useless new refuge/island they’ve put at the end of Windermere drive at the Blackpole island?
The dropped kerb is about 30 yards before the refuge crossing and opposite the refuge there is no dropped kerb at all to get to the path on the Lidl side? 
So as a Scooter user you have to either go back up to near Sainsbury to cross over or go all the way round the island to get to the new zebra crossing on Blackpole road.  When will disabled accessibility come to planners? It’s the 21st century.
 Yvonne Carter
Warndon
 
I’m not going to go that far!
Sir – I am grateful for the article highlighting my sponsored cycle tour of Normandy in aid of the Friends of Worcester Cathedral and the repair of the Edgar Tower, but I must point out that I am planning to cycle no more than 1,000 kilometres, not 1,000 miles.
THE VERY REVEREND PETER ATKINSON
Dean of Worcester