'Travelodge needs to tidy up'

Sir – The Cathedral Square development will no doubt be a stunning addition to our city.

David Blake, the managing director of Worcester City Council, says the view from the balcony of the development is ‘Bonkers’.

However, I suggest he and his colleagues get down from the balcony cross the road and view the development from the cathedral.

They will notice that it is overshadowed by the scruffy hideous Travelodge hotel building.

I would like to hear what he thinks of this view.

As Travelodge will no doubt benefit from the development and the other tourist attractions in our city.

It is a shame that the council have not made them refurbish the outside of their building in time for the grand opening in July.

I have been in contact with both our current MP Peter Walker and Ken Pollock who was the member with responsibility for infrastructure and they both said that there was nothing that could be done.

It seems that the council can make a lone businessman i.e. Tim Sandhu owner of the Vine Bar and Grill spend £90,000 on improving the pavement outside his premises yet they can do nothing to order a multinational to tidy up the appearance of their building.

I hope that even at this late stage the council can engage with Travelodge so as not to spoil the image of the development and that they can help Tim in his efforts to establish a thriving business which is just as important as Cathedral Square.

Brian Mills

Worcester

'Why so many concessions?'

SIR – We have reached the stage in this country where we don’t know whether we are living amongst friends or foe.

Muslims here have their mosques, their own cemetery, are allowed to practice halal and have the monopoly on the city taxi service.

How many more concessions are expected from this hospitable and very tolerant country?

Mrs C Bayliss

Worcester

'Let’s all come together'

SIR – Worcester, along with other towns, saw an increased police presence after the barbaric atrocity in Manchester.

No doubt force can play its role, however, in the long run rationality will have to prevail in order to stop all this killing.

Our capacity to create is immense, for example, the NHS and scientific advances. Unfortunately the capacity to destroy is also immense.

I’m convinced given a decent environment, one in which people and countries are not pitted against one another for resources, the madness wouldn’t happen.

The future is unwritten, we need to come together, clear our heads of all the junk and build a decent world for all – a place not run by alienating ‘you’re fired’ few.

A true union respecting all our differences but no longer exploiting countries or each other.

Dave Griffiths

Worcester

'An uncaring attitude'

SIR – I was shocked and saddened at what happened in Manchester, as many people were.

The day after the attack I went to town and popped into a local shop, as I always talk to the staff and a man was behind the counter.

I said how sad about the young people in Manchester, he replied ‘what are you on about?’ I then started to explain saying didn’t you know. The man, who worked there, said ‘Oh well it happens’.

He said if it’s a child or a grown up what’s the difference.

I was so taken back by his uncaring attitude. What a good thing we are not all like this man.

Mrs Carole Roberts

Worcester

'Where was the security?'

Sir – In view of the recent appalling atrocities in London and Manchester, I was totally astounded at the complete lack of security at Ladies day at Worcester Racecourse.

People were walking in with rucksacks and large bags, with no checks being made whatsoever.

I cannot understand why the racecourse management would show such a total disregard to the safety of its visitors on such a high profile occasion.   Stuart Leng Worcester   Mrs May and food banks Sir – I would never vote Conservative, since it makes me feel personally degraded to live in a country where the majority choose to vote for food banks and billionaires at the same time.

But when Mrs May was asked to justify food banks, she replied that, ‘There are many reasons for citizens and children to use food banks.’ I would never want Mrs May as PM, since she is neither honest nor intelligent. This is only one reason.

C. N. Westerman

Brynna, Mid Glam

'How in the name of God?'

SIR – I am acquainted with a number of Muslims, some I have known for years.

I respect them and their right to follow the faith of their choice.

I also accept that their insistence that Islam is a peace-loving religion.

However, I wonder why all of the attacks on our society and all the murders and grief that they have caused are done in the name of Allah.

Even though we are talking about a small section of the Muslim faith, is it at all possible that there is something fundamentally at fault with a religion that can promote beheadings, stoning and murder of innocent men, women and children in the name of Allah?

David Clark

Worcester

'Nature is barbaric'

SIR – Thank you Councillor Dr Ken Pollock for a very welcome and informative letter about foxes.

May I add that fox hunting is no more barbaric than nature itself.

JEAN HARRIS

Worcester

'This should be a warning'

SIR – The tragic and needless outcome of the bullying Sam Abel experienced in his young life should resonate with anyone who gets malicious satisfaction from driving someone to take such desperate measures.

Miss P Winter

Worcester

'Failure to respect NHS'

SIR – I attended Worcester Royal Hospital for an appointment at the Ear, Nose and Throat department, after a six-month wait.

The reason given for such a delay was that their ‘diary’ was full. Whilst waiting my turn I read a notice that stated that during the month of April in this department 400 patients failed to keep their appointments.

If this was an average month then nearly 5,000 patients per year would fail to turn up, causing the long waiting lists.

I feel putting more and more money into this service, although laudable, will not cure the problem and we will see very little improvement until the public respect and value this very important service, which is free.

It would be a good idea if any patient fails to attend an appointment without just cause a letter be sent advising them that should this happen again a penalty will be imposed.

In the private sector if a patient were to make an appointment, which would cost in excess of £200, failure to attend would make them liable for the full fee.

I am 74, an insulin diabetic for 56 years, and have had to use the NHS frequently. In my lifetime I have noticed a marked deterioration in respect and how this very valuable service is being abused.

Irene Deamer

Worcester

'You missed out Marilyn'

SIR – On the letters page on June 1, I was surprised to see that you had not printed the most famous birthday of all. Marilyn Monroe was born June 1, 1926. She would be 91.

Mrs Shirley Masterman

Worcester