£1.3m TV salary a disgusting waste

I appreciate the many years of free TV I've had and was disappointed it was discontinued just at the age we need a TV most for company.

But it's still good value except for too many repeat programmes.

I don't know where Mr Bill Williams finds his propaganda programmes. But where ever it is, he doesn't have to watch them. There are plenty of others to choose from.

If he would like something else to moan about why isn't it the awful high money given (not earned) to some of the commentators. Mr Gary Lineker, for example, getting £1.3m a year to shout at us after the football matches on a Saturday.

I believe he has now given back a few hundred a year but still takes over £1m.

I think that's a disgusting waste of TV money.

Mrs J Lawrence

Mundy Avenue

Swindon

Govt fooling no one

Justin Tomlinson, a politician to his very fingertips, offers a reasonable defence of his leader's strategy to 'manage decline'.

However, Swindon residents are not fooled by a government that raises taxes by £24m, offers the borough council the opportunity (which they will take) to raise local taxes without the requirement of a referendum, and is prepared to spend £100m on a flawed rail programme, HS2.

Des Morgan

Caraway Drive

Swindon

Give power of play to children in hospital

The festive period is fast approaching, and as we start to decorate our Christmas trees, wrap up gifts and make mince pies, it’s important to remember the many people who will be spending Christmas away from home and loved ones. T

his year, children’s charity Starlight estimates that in December there will be over 1.3 million admissions to hospital for under 18s in England, who are not only poorly but feel anxious and scared.

No child should feel lonely at Christmas, especially when they’re unwell. Early experiences of hospital can be incredibly traumatising and the psychological damage for a child can be life-long.

Children in hospital need to have fun and play creates a much-needed chance to have a sense of normality and control too.

Play can help prepare a child for frightening treatments, distract them from painful procedures and help make loneliness fade away during lengthy hospital stays.

Creating more positive hospital experiences can be life-changing for a child and their family.

Yet, so many UK hospitals don’t have the money to make play happen. Starlight research found that 83 per cent of children’s healthcare settings that apply for our services have no money themselves for play.

We’re urging your readers to support Starlight’s Play Loneliness Away campaign.

Please visit starlight.org.uk/christmas and whatever you are able to give will help Starlight bring play where there is pain, fun where there is fear, and laughter where there is loneliness.

Please help us to bring the magical power of play to children in hospital this Christmas.

Cathy Gilman

Chief Executive

Starlight.

Got a view on the news? Send a letter to the editor at letters@swindonadvertiser.co.uk or letters@gazetteandherald.co.uk