Letters...

Environmentalists must do their sums

The argument over 'Wheelie Bins' is becoming more heated although the impression is gained that the main driving forces are government finance, a desire to rise in the league table of recycling and the hurling of cheap insults at anybody who thinks that these moves have considerable shortcomings.

Those with memories will remember the argument some 4 years ago over costs when, in the face of published analysis by senior financial commentators, the environmental lobby was made to acknowledge that the cost, some £5 per week per household ( government calculations ) would have to be covered from property taxes. £250 per year is no small cost when a significant number of households receive no other council domestic services like a paved road, or street lights etc. The current attitude is 'we want it and you will be forced to pay'.

Looking at the detailed proposals the analysis of what the contents of bins are to be looks questionable. The majority of those who have gardens already have their own disposal systems in the form of compost heaps, where else do they place their rubbish? Also overlooked is the fact that, due to the possibility of disease incubation e.g. BSE, animal residues should not be composted. Is all kitchen waste to be examined for this? The alternative is to ask households to bear another cost in washing all containers used for meat etc. e.g. animal food tins. Somebody in their enthusiasm has not done their research properly.

We are also being blitzed over Carbon Dioxide ignoring the fact that, on average, every adult breathes out a tonne of the stuff each year while in a rural area where public transport requires considerable subsidy private vehicle use will be high. Add on the fact that we have a high proportion of the older generations who require more heating then what is expected? The answer comes in all sorts of environmental suggestions without regard to cost. An example is a quotation for solar water heating on a semi-detached 3 bed house in Glos. Last year the quote was £9600 and if that does not produce a gulp then nothing will.

Environmentalists have been rampaging around spending other peoples' money like water without even pausing to address real objections to their flights of fancy. It is high time that they did some real research and dug their calculators out. If they want these things then they can pay not use the force of law to make others stump up the cash.

T RUMBLE

5 Walden Rd.,

Sewards End,

Saffron Walden,

Why can't we have theatre for Walden?

THOUGH the new cinema is an ingenious and welcome addition to Walden (which I gather like most towns usually had at least two picture palaces before the war), I feel it might be the time to make an equal effort for a theatre. This might double up for an opera or for shows etc.

I know that the Town Hall, Friends School, County High and others, and even on occasions churches put on plays or music, surely in a place of comparable size to Haverhill, Walden should be equipped in the same manner?

Walden has, for example, no festival like Thaxted. It has the carnival and the regular fairs but could not events be combined in some way? There is clearly a lot of talent in Walden, in many fields as the success of the Minet Park project with its dedicated team of volunteers attests.

For the present I hope to see good quality, mainstream films but also one hopes the type of thing seen at the Cambridge Arts. The screen, however impressive, could not compete with the Odeon in Harlow, which was before the changes to multiplex), almost as large as that of Leicester Square!

And the re-screening of high quality classic epics has a market, for commercial or distribution reasons they languish on BBC2 and Channel 4, shown usually when people are at work or have run out of video/DVD. It may get people away from the dubious delights of TV, but what price theatre occasionally?

J F Howarth

Saffron Walden

Looking for new members

CALLING all members of the Royal Air Force Police, past or present.

Did you know that the Essex & Suffolk Branch of the Royal Air Force Police Association meets at the Royal Air Force Association Club in Howbridge Road, Witham, Essex on the first Tuesday of every even month?

Some meetings incorporate Guest Speakers, Games Nights (RAFPA versus RAFA) Quiz Nights etc and in the past interesting visits have been arranged to the RAF Police Working Dogs Trials, Lakenheath Air Base as guests of the USAF Police, Essex Police HQ & Museum in Chelmsford, guests of the Royal Military Police in Colchester and more recently to Bletchley Park (The Codebreakers!)

We welcome new members, so why not all our secretary, Roy Alden, on 01206 302958 to find out more!

TONY HOOPER

Branch Publicity

RAFPA

Essex & Suffolk Branch

Not so friendly

In response to Mary McArthy's letter, Mrs McArthy praises Friends School, for being "So open and inviting" regarding their development plans (letters 09/02).

Perhaps she was lucky enough to be have been invited to the behind closed doors meeting at Friends School on Saturday 11th February to discuss the concerns of residents regarding this development.

The proposed development at Friends School will have an enormous bearing on residents within the town, and no one will escape the burden this development will create on school places, medical resources and infrastructure requirements.

The only true course of action is to hold a public meeting to allow this issue to be debated in public and allowing all residents to add their view.

This will allow Friends School to fulfill it's open policy with its neighbors and the general public, holding exclusive meetings is not the answer.

David Hayes

Saffron Walden

What a vibrant and busy market place

ON a recent day visit - by bus - from Cambridge to Saffron Walden, I was so fortunate to find a vibrant and busy market place with so many friendly and supportive market stalls (including the show stall).

In the 21st century, it is very re-assuring that such ancient traditions - such as a town market place - are still with us and give such wonderful service and support. Well done "Market Square"!

Timothy Grout

Cambridge