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It's Your Shout

DESPITE the inconvenience of my post being delayed I have to express my support for Royal Mail workers and their strike action.
Never a period of time passes that yet another nail is plunged into the coffin of Royal Mail - and the strange thing is that nobody wants Post Offices to close down.
We all depend on the Post Office for so much - a trip to the main office in Solihull on any given lunchtime will prove that. The queues are always almost out of the door with people taxing their cars, renewing their passports, collecting foreign currency for their holidays and, of course, sending post!
One has to wonder how well the business is being run. On one hand people using e-mails could be accountable for a loss in letters being posted. But then the increase in internet shopping - which I abhore incidently - means more packages are whizzing around the country.
The Post Office is a British institution and we whould all work harder to support it.
Good on you our postmen.
M Taylor
Via e-mail

I would like to bring to your attention the absolutely sterling job that the grounds staff are doing at St James' Church in Shirley.
I used to regularly visit the churchyard to tend the grave of my wife, which is just yards from where we met for the very first time, and some of my fellow ex-servicemen who are buried there. But age has now caught up with me and sadly I am no longer mobile enough to do so.
Consequently it is a great comfort to me to know that the dedicated team at St James' Church work to look after the graves.
Keeping the churchyard in such good condition must be a very difficult job, trying to manoeuvre lawnmowers and what like between the headstones, but the team do it wonderfully without asking anything in return.
Those of us who have loved ones, friends and wartime colleagues buried at St James would like to let them know just how much we appreciate their efforts and I hope you will be able to publish this letter to give them the public recognition we all feel they rightly deserve.
Tom Lackey
Solihull Road
Shirley

I feel that I should help Charles Robinson see the light (letters 12 July) as it appears he seems to have his eyes shut to what is around him. Does he not want a regenerated shopping area and a regenerated park? Is it not surely right that a decayed patch of ground is built on to enable this regeneration to take place? And, don't forget, the regeneration includes the Nature Reserve near his back garden and the fantastic addition to the already superb Blythe Valley Country Park,also within a short walk from his house. This is positive proof that this council is committed to the environment and is adding to our green spaces. Charles just seems to be one those few who continue to berate and shout negativity because he is afraid that the projects the council has been working on are now coming to fruition and will be greatly welcomed. The leisure centre is almost complete, affording our young people the chance to train in world class facilities; the Star and Garter Home is well underway, affording those who have put themselves in danger, so that we can have freedom and security, the chance to live in an environment where they can rest and receive much needed treatment; and the Heart of Shirley will bring a much welcome range of shops that our young and senior residents will visit, whilst giving greater access to the regenerated park. Almost a year ago I asked a Shirley councillor where I can buy a shirt, a tie and pair of trousers in Shirley, stressing I wanted a new pair, not second hand. I have still to receive a reply as it seems unless I want camouflaged attire I have only the Army and Navy stores to go to. Shirley town centre will not be destroyed and the Lib Dems and LSD (Let Shirley Die) groups are not fighting for anything other than to knock a council that is actually making Shirley a smashing place to be in. Charles, we know you moan and bleat because it is your party's way, start getting positive and recognise excellence when it hits you.
Ken Hawkins,
Councillor - Elmdon Ward.

I am very surprised to find out that the K.S.A ( Keep Shops Away) are such a touchy group of people as their recent letter shows.
Their assertion that Howard Allen is 'does a remarkably good job' is of course open to question. If his support for the rather sad group of trees euphemistically known as the Oak Tree circle in Shirley Park is anything to go by the claim should be taken with a large pinch of salt.
Their assertion that it is 'a unique natural phenomena' is open to challenge since they provide no independent supporting evidence against which to judge their contentious claim.
The council is now controlled by a conservative  minority and the Lib Dems have the ability to put together enough
votes in the council to stop the Parkgate Project dead in its tracks if they wish and so save the trees concerned.
Now that the Lib Dems have a real chance to 'make the difference they want to for Shirley,' so they should stop berating Conservative Group and get on with it.
The K.S.A (Keep Shops Away) group should insist on action from their Lib Dem allies.
The Lib Dems should at least use the power and influence they have or are they afraid. 
Everybody knows that actions speak louder than words.
J.K. Wilson, Solihull
 
It is often the case that someone will seek to get their story in the press to gain sympathy for their case, but instead end up revealing  their own stupidity and lack of consideration for their fellow residents. I refer to the story regarding the car boot sale signage apparently being removed from various trees in Damson Wood.
Does the gentleman complaining not realise that his extensive signage might be perceived as unsightly clutter by local residents, and amounts to illegal flyposting? Only recently, we had a junk removal company fined in Solihull for placing advertising on various street lampposts. Just because this is for a local football club doesn't make it any different. It is illegal to place commercial advertising boards, which is what these are, on trees and lampposts on public streets, not to mention unsightly and distracting for drivers.
Although I don't live in Damsoon Wood, I am sick and tired of selfish and inconsiderate people placing adverts and notices on trees and lampposts. My only regret is that there are not more people in Solihull who take positive action to keep their local area looking pleasant. I would however advise the individual or individuals concerned that whilst their actions in removing the signage are understandable, they should in future complain to Solihull Council,  who will immediately remove the signs for you.
If the gentleman in question really must place adverts on the road to assist people trying to locate the car boot sale, can I suggest he shows some consideration to the local community by only placing them on the day of the car boot sale, and then removing them immediately afterwards, rather than leaving them stuck to trees for months on end.
JS
By Email

Lib Dem sympathiser Charles Robison   claims that the Lib Dem's fight for principles.But they are  not the principles that he claims for them.
Their only principle is to use every and every issue to get votes regardless of the true merits of a case.
Hence the very hysterical response to my letter making what by general consent are ridiculous claims for Kenilworth Castle.
To pose a different point of view that might question the Lib Dems Mantra is heresy in his eyes. Yet the oak tree in question by general consent is not much of a circle and certainly is not impressive by any stretch of anybody's imagination.
The claim that it is a key feature actually defies belief.
If it is that 'attractive' he should seek to preserve its uniqueness by applying for a tree preservation order.
Then an objective and open and democratic decision would be arrived at that at least would have some objective credence.
Charles Robison is typical of people who resist the progress and prosperity that Parkgate will bring for Shirley.
C.D. Collier Solihull

As a regular user of Birmingham International Airport I have to say I have been delighted at its response to the recent terror attacks and its committment to maintain this response for 'as long as it takes'.
As proud British people we have to continue with our daily lives and not let these terrorists stop us from doing what we want to do and when we want o do it.
And while some people may find it unnerving to see roads blocked off, armoured vehicles and police with semi-automatic weapons, I for one feel a lot safer and happier about by flight knowing they are there.
Well done Brimingham Airport.
M Jones
Solihull

With a reference to the letter submitted by Charles Robinson about incineration of Domestic waste. Domestic waste is collected and taken to the Solihull and Coventry energy plant, where the incineration of the waste is converted to Electricity. From this plant steel is collected and sent for reuse. Plastic are mostly hydrocarbons like natural gas. So converting plastic into energy means that less natural gas is burnt elsewhere to make power. Thus reducing carbon into the atmosphere. Don't forget we have kerb side collection of green waste and paper.
Charles mentions the 3R's of waste management, but I think that carbon footprint is more important (look at the recent floods). There is no point in recycling or reuse if the energy cost is high. Solihull does well in recycling performance, but if Government considered carbon footprint then I am sure that we would be amongst the leaders in the country.
I wish that Charles and his Liberal colleagues would stop spreading misinformation and being negative about our achievements.
Cllr Andy Mackiewicz
Dorridge

Can I just point out that the bride path off Redstone Farm Road has not been blocked off.
The council are trying to protect innocent victims by putting up kissing gates which still allow access.
The council and police are commended on helping to protect us, the residents, and the young and elderly who walk through the Bridle Path.
For years we have endured mindless youths causing damage and speeding motorbikes with no regard for public safety.
We have two disabled residents who live in The Bridle Path and have used the route to the Robin Hood Island in order to get to Tesco which only tajes a few minutes longer.
The Tesco trolley that was deliberately pushed into my car parked on my drive causing £800 worth of damage is just one example of the cost us residents have had to put up with.
Mindless hooligans have already stolen a gate which had only been up for a week and has to be replaced at the cost of us the taxpayer.
Bridle Path Resident

I have lived in Shirley my whole life and I love living here. I have been on the council list for two years now and I refuse to be pushed out of Shirley.
I want to bring my daughter up here and for her to go to the same school as I did. My last visit to the council reduced me to tears as the woman said I would have to wait to have another child or I will never get anywhere to live.
She also said there are no properties in Shirley and if one came up it would go to an elderly person. Three years ago my uncle and his 16-year-old son came back to Birmingham after ten years living in Morecombe. He stayed with us for three weeks and the council gave them a two-bedroom flat in Greenhill Way. I recently found out there are two empty flats in Greenhill Way and of course someone that doesn't mind where they live will get them. I am absolutely furious because I still live with my mum they think they don't have to help.
Our council service is a sham.
Claire Cole.

Schools are charged for paper recycling.
I rarely write but when I do it is based on fact. The question of charging schools was raised by ex Cllr Olive Hogg (Lib Dem) at Council on 10 October 2006. Cabinet member Cllr David Bell confirmed he would look in to it. Having become increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress I asked the question again at Special Council on 26 June 2007. The response by Council Leader Ken Meeson which is available to the public is minuted "The Leader outlined a consultation with schools that was due to start in the autumn. In response to a supplementary question the Leader agreed to consider rolling out at an earlier date than originally planned."
So B Jones, Leela Widger's Newsletter article is correct and I am afraid you are not.
Cllr Andy Hodgson
Liberal Democrat
Shadow Spokesperson for Community Services and the Environment

Referring to last week's article 'praise for new lesiure centre' it seems the plot is thickening yet further.
1. When were we informed thath the council has banked £2 million from the park sell-off before?
2. Where was the derelict parkland that was lost?
3. How and when will this be replaced?
4. How can this scheme be described as a triump for local councillors when all they have done is finance a privately operated business, which will provide little more than other privately operated leisure facilities do, other than a dilapidated building in 30 years time. This will return the borough to exactly the same postition we were in a year ago, minus the irreplaceable medieval common land liquidated for the housing estate on Monkspath Hall Road.
I do hope local councillors have not misled Hugo Swire in the same was as local residents during the planning stages of this scheme.
Mr Sawle
Whitefields Crescent
Solihull
Conservative writers would have us believe that Shirley’s unique oak tree circle is nothing special and should be sacrificed to make way for an ASDA hyperstore and many luxury flats.
 
While the same Conservatives continue to defend the indefensible, they should reflect on literature they distributed during the local elections of 2004 in which they pledged “No loss of parkland or trees”, and a development that “…MUST NOT reduce or ruin Shirley Park”.
After stabbing local residents in the back by approving the destruction of nearly 3 acres of Shirley Park, the Conservative run Council had the indecency to issue a press release on 22nd September 2006 claiming that the oak tree circle could be “uplifted and replanted”.
Having investigated this claim I have finally found out after months of waiting for an answer that there is virtually no chance of the trees surviving such a move.
I asked the Conservative leader of Solihull Council at the Council meeting on 26th June if he felt that the press release was misleading.  Visibly irritated that I had asked a question, he snapped “no”, and also declined to apologise for the blunder.
Councillor Tim Hodgson
Liberal Democrat
Shirley South

I would like to thank the people of Olton for generously donating to the Macmillan Cancer Support bucket collection at Dovehouse Parade on 7 July.  We were very lucky with the weather and a magnificent £262.16 was raised in just over 3 hours.  This was the first time we have collected there and did not know what to expect.  People were very friendly and generous and we will definitely be back next year.  We were only able to collect for 3 hours as we had other events taking place and were short on volunteers to cover everything.  If anyone would like to help out with bucket collections, please give the fundraising office a call on 0121 742 6393.  All the money raised with go towards helping local people living with cancer.
Ann Gumery
Fundraising Assistant  for Macmillan Cancer Support,
Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull.

Following the Live Earth concerts on July 7th, Solihull Green Party urge Solihull council to work towards the parts of the seven-point pledge that they can help facilitate, ie to work towards a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of buildings of all types throughout the borough, increased use of renewable energy sources, reduced dependence on oil and coal, plant new trees and protect mature ones, and support Solihull  residents by providing information and services, and adopting policies which will help reduce our individual carbon "footprints" as much as possible.
Jane Holt
Solihull Green Party

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