Council still throwing good money after bad

I have often wondered how councillors of other towns would view our currently elected members. I too cannot believe they are prepared to throw good money after bad in respect of the Wi-fi fiasco. I live in Highworth and consider myself computer literate as are many of my friends and neighbours in the area, however, not one of them has spoken to me about Wi-fi or sung its praises since it was first mooted.

Also, it should not be forgotten loyal, hard working council employees have recently lost or are about to lose their jobs, whilst others have been asked to take a pay freeze in view of the austerity measures.

No doubt as the end of year budget approaches we shall be asked to accept cuts to children’s, adult and education services.

Nonetheless it should be borne in mind that £404,000 for the Wi-fi, £33,000 approximately for transporting the Tabernacle pillars back to Swindon, plus the cost of the water feature in Regent Street would have funded the salaries of many employees.

Hopefully, your readers will consider carefully whether or not the current administration are re-elected in May.

RJ Taylor Highworth

Turn off lights

Might I suggest to our council that if it confines the use of the street lights to the hours of darkness, there may be no need to implement the proposed, outrageous increase of £10 from £2 for the disabled parking badge.

C A Coxon Liden Swindon

It’s ineptocracy

Is it just the blatant and wasteful profligacy under the Blair/Brown administrations which has given us ineptocracy in the governance of this country?

Certainly under Mr Cameron, with not a little help from Mr Clegg, ineptocracy is alive and well.

U-turns; media spin; ineptitude; ill-thought through and badly introduced policies; corruption and calamitous appointments. A continual failure to explain to the electorate those matters that are not under the control of Westminster but have to be done under European Union requirement. For example HS2, the High Speed Train Link initially from London to Birmingham.

Ineptocracy?

Ineptocracy (in-ep-toc'-ra-cy) – a system of government where the least capable to lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a diminishing number of producers.

Mr Cameron is, as he once described himself, proving to be “the natural heir to Blair”. With a little help from his new best Party friend.

Colin McNamee Baltonsborough Somerset

Give it a Tri

With the Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, the summer of sport is nearly upon us. If you want to feel part of the excitement, why not join me and sign up to Tri Together, a triathlon event launched by Leonard Cheshire Disability?

Shortlisted for the British Triathlon Event of the Year 2011, Tri Together is a short distance triathlon for people of all ages and abilities to swim, bike and run together. It’s on August 19 at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in South London.

I started competing in triathlon events three years ago, after I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and had begun to use a wheelchair. I had always enjoyed sport and didn’t want to give it up. I found triathlons were not only great fun, but felt inclusive too.

Everyone who is doing a triathlon knows it is tough, which is why they encourage each other along the way, creating a fantastic atmosphere. It is a great way to cement friendships and meet new people.

Tri Together is a chance for everyone over 13 to have a go at a triathlon, either on their own or in a team of two or three. The competitive distance of the course means that it’s perfect for everyone from the seasoned triathlete to the complete novice.

New for 2012 is the junior race for those aged 13-16, so you can make a day of it as a family.

As well as having fun and challenging yourself, you will be raising money to help Leonard Cheshire Disability to continue supporting thousands of disabled people across the UK. I am really excited about taking part in this year’s event. So why not join me and sign up today?

To secure a place go to www.lcdisability.org/tritogether or text TRI to 80878*. Race entry is from £32 for adults and £15 for children and minimum sponsorship applies.

Jane Egan World Paratriathlon Champion

Thanks for aid

Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind would like to say a big thank you to all those people who generously donated to our collection at the West Swindon Shopping Centre on Saturday, March 3.

We raised a terrific £863. The amount raised will help to pay for 14 guide dog harnesses.

Our thanks also go to the management and staff of West Swindon Shopping Centre.

Alan Fletcher Chairman, Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind

Diabetic shock

As a type 2 diabetic I was shocked to read in the Advertiser (February 23) that NHS Swindon is the second worst primary care trust in the country when it comes to proper care for people with diabetes.

I live in Purton, which is in neighbouring NHS Wiltshire, and about four years ago, around retirement age, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

I have to say that from the time I was told that I had the disease, I have nothing but praise for the way I have been treated. The surgery here in Purton has its own marvellous, dedicated diabetic nurse. My health is monitored regularly and I’m kept informed on all aspects of my wellbeing.

On each anniversary of my diagnosis I have what I like to call an MOT. This covers a whole list of health checks including blood glucose levels, cholesterol and examination of my feet. Also yearly, my eyes are examined by digital retinal photography to see if there are any changes.

I feel reassured by how I’m treated, but find it unbelievable that just a few miles from me diabetics are dying from serious complications because they are not getting essential checks.

Maurice Card Vasterne Close Purton

Consult this

Thanks to Councillor Jim Grant for bringing to our attention the £12.3million our council is proposing to spend on private sector consultants. An utter disgrace.

We may as well go the whole hog now by disbanding the entire structure of the Council Departmental Services, because what this tells me is that our Council Directory staff are a totally incapable bunch of individuals, lacking in any organisational skills whatsoever, and that these very highly paid puppets – assisted by their highly paid structured departmental staff – also require private sector consultants to help them do their jobs properly.

But let’s face it, it seems the very same scenario applies to central government when it transpires Mr Lansley’s new NHS reforms were actually written for him, word for word, by the American company McKinnleys. They were paid several millions of pounds for this service and, if approved, they will hit the jackpot by being awarded the entire adminisrtative rights of running the system.

Ian Hunt Hill View Road Swindon

War, what for?

Six British soldiers were killed in Afghanistan on March 7.

The whole Afghanistan war has been a disaster and this was the worst day so far.

Britain’s softly softly approach to the Taliban has been tried for 11 years and things are still getting worse.

The same military tactics were used in Iraq and our policies have left Iraq in complete political chaos.

Many people are wondering what we are trying to achieve in Afghanistan, and if it is worth this awful sacrifice in the lives of British soldiers.

Steve Halden Beaufort Green Swindon

Trouser tips

Someone in your letters page on Friday I thought seemed rather perturbed. They had seen a lad in some trousers that had left them really disturbed.

Now I know that fashion through the ages has always left its mark, but some I wouldn’t be found dead in and wouldn’t even wear in the dark.

Fashion has changed through the ages, we have seen some really dreadful sights.

The cod-piece doublet and hose and even some men wearing tights.

Each generation had fashion that seemed to go a bit over the top.

Winkle Pickers and drainpipe trousers and a haircut that looked like a mop.

Pencil skirts, hoop-dresses, leg warmers, yes, once they were all part of the rage.

But now it is Ugg-boots and bare midriffs – you see it is a different age.

But to return to your contributor’s letter about the lad with his crotch hanging low: I think that his mother chose his trousers to give him more room to grow.

C J MeeK Upper Stratton Swindon