Letters: 1 July 2010

No repeal

WE believe that repeal of the Hunting Act would be barbaric and a backward step for a civilised society.

Hunting with dogs was consigned to the history books because the majority of the public found it abhorrent. Those calling for repeal of this law are effectively calling for a return to cruelty.

We will vigorously defend the law with all available resources, the backing of our one million-plus supporters and the vast majority of the public.

We are calling on people to contact their MPs asking them to vote to protect the Hunting Act. The public has consistently opposed the cruel and unnecessary chasing and killing of foxes, deer, hare and mink by dogs, and does not want any return to killing for fun.

JOHN ROLLS

RSPCA director of animal welfare promotion

DOUGLAS BATCHELOR

Chief executive,

League Against Cruel Sports

ROBBIE MARSLAND

UK director,

IFAW

Big relief

IT was a welcome sight to see workmen refurbishing the Wilton Road toilets and not before time.

Persistence has paid off and the coachloads of tourists who come here will be much relieved. It is proof that common sense prevails.

J A NURCOMBE

Shelley Avenue,

Melton

Monstrosity

MR Justice Vos didn't like Prince Charles's intervention over the Chelsea Barracks development. The Prince said "...for the entire duration of my life we have had to witness the destruction of so many parts of London with one more 'brutalist' development after another."

That's funny, I feel just the same about Melton. It's a pity Prince Charles doesn't intervene to stop the new council building being built.

In my opinion it's a monstrosity and looks more like a 1920s Odeon cinema which we'll want to knock down in about 20 years time because it'll be so dated.

Come on Prince Charles – do your stuff.

KEVIN SELBY

Burton Road,

Melton

Go weekly

WITH the assistance of our neighbours, we have just annihilated a rat infestation at our property. We imagine they were attracted by the stinking waste, caused by our fortnightly waste collection. (No other food source outside the property so it must be that).

I note the Coalition Government is 'encouraging' local authorities not to introduce fortnightly collections; We in Somerby have suffered them for years, can we look forward to a turnaround and a rat-free zone?

I wondered what other readers thought?

MRS A MEDJBER

High Street,

Somerby

Wonderful day

WHAT a wonderful day I enjoyed on Saturday at King Edward VII School's centenary celebration and reunion.

The weather was perfect for wandering around the school and the grounds, which brought back such a lot of memories from my time there in the early 1960s.

I was fortunate enough to renew friendship with several others who were in my year at Melton Grammar, as it was then, and we spent a happy afternoon looking at old photographs, school reports and reminiscing about our time at the school.

It was so lovely to be able to chat to four of our teachers, whom we have always thought of with great affection – Phil Vincent, John Duckworth, Tom Jackson and Edwyn James.

We were also very pleased to meet the family of the late Bernard Brewster (headmaster in our day) – Margaret, Nicolette and Martin – who, like us, have proud memories of him being at the school.

At the end of the day we were treated to an excellent concert by the Melton Mowbray Theatre Company which paid tribute to all the Gilbert and Sullivan productions organised by the school over the years.

Many thanks to the organisers, June Anderson, Dick West and Alan Pymm to name but a few, who made this happy occasion possible – but it was also an afternoon tinged with sadness as we all realised that this would possibly be the last time we would see this great school building, before it is finally closed by Leicestershire County Council next year.

A fitting epitaph would be "Well done King Edward VII you did us proud – thanks for all the memories".

ANN MUSSON

Melton

Good swim

AS a supporter of Melton Mowbray Swimming Club I went to the Youth Games in Loughborough on Sunday as my two grandchildren were swimming.

The Melton team were the only ones out of the eight teams without a T-shirt, stickers and hats which apparently Melton Council should have supplied. What a disappointment.

However, with the support of parents, sibling and grandparents and everyone involved with the club they came a very impressive third. Well done everyone.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Thank-yous

AS a member of Melton In Bloom I would like to thank our town traders for all their support and donations for the tombola we held at Melton Country Fair on Sunday. Your generosity was just unbelievable and it is so very much appreciated.

JEAN FORBES

Melton in Bloom volunteer

HANNAH would like to thank all her family, friends, staff at the Spice Club and other diners who helped raise 58.34 for 'Everyman - Stamp out Male Cancer' and wearing blue to her birthday party on June 18.

MRS TRISHA NUTTER

Melton

THE house-to-house collection held in Melton and seven nearby villages during Christian Aid Week raised 4,901. About 2,000 was covered by Gift Aid on which Christian Aid can recover an extra 28 per cent in tax.

The Christian Aid committee would like to thank the collectors involved in the Melton area collection for their support and the people of Melton who have given so generously. The money will be sent to Christian Aid to help families worldwide who are poor and in great need.

PAT EVLEY

Coltfoot Way,

Melton