Reply to Helmet-cam cyclist has motorists in sight

May 10 2012 by Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Helmet-cam may stop persecution

In your May 3 issue, two items concern cyclists. In a news item, it falls to a private individual to record car drivers who are a hazard to cyclists (page 5).

A Your Letters item from Phil Folly then instances police ‘bias’ against cyclists.

My interest is heightened by the recent experience of my 52-year-old son.

He is an experienced cyclist and motorist, yet he was mown down recently on the A2 in Kent.

‘Mown down’ is fair comment, since the collision was on a dry, open road with clear visibility at around midday.

My son was hit squarely from behind, according to police forensic evidence and the testimony of six other motorists.

The driver was clear of alcohol, but could not read a car number plate at half the requisite distance!

I have seen some dubious bike-riding in my 50 plus years of car, lorry, coach and motorcycle driving.

But I have seen far too many instances of drivers hazarding those who are less well-protected, including (near the Water Meadow/ Church Street, Chesham roundabout) pedestrians on their own crossing!

It is increasingly common to see motorists parked on the zig-zags at similar crossings.

Given the circumstances of my own son’s injuries – he has regained consciousness after six weeks in a coma – have the police, in their persecution of cyclists, got their priorities wrong.

In any collision, who would you put your money on – the driver securely harnessed within 1.5 tons of metal box, or the unprotected pedestrian or cyclist?

Before you reach any conclusion, my son had last year with his brother-in-law cycled from John O’Groats to Dover, raising funds for the Aspire Spinal Injuries Centre at Stanmore.

This year, when the collision occurred, he was practicing for a ride from Land’s End to Dover to raise funds for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Service.

Ironically, it was that Air Ambulance, dependent on voluntary contributions, that scooped my son off of the road.

Police persecution of cyclists is tackling the road-safety problem from the wrong end.

Perhaps more cyclists and pedestrians should follow John Somers’ adoption of a helmet-cam, to inundate a complacent police force with evidence of motorists’ many transgressions.

ROGER FLETCHER

Hampden Avenue

Chesham

Fun day gives Lido exposure

AS one of the organisers of the Centenary Fun Day, I’d like to extend a big thank you to the centre staff, volunteers and Friends of the Centre for their tireless enthusiasm and efforts on the day.

A highlight of the day had to be Bill Richards very sportingly donning a fetching striped swimsuit (will this encourage the return of knitted swimwear?) and Peter Hudson, who spent hours in the stocks providing amusement for children and their parents.

It was great to see so many families at the fun day and have the recently-formed Waterside Community Association taking part, as well as running the barbecue.

There was a great atmosphere and we hope the event has raised awareness for the Gym & Swim – this is a fabulous community facility.

The golden age of the lido/outdoor pool was in the 1930s when swimming became popular and 169 were built in the UK by local councils.

Many closed when foreign holidays became less expensive, but the remaining have a dedicated following of supporters.

What could be better than swimming in the open air surrounded by beautiful planters and, if you are lucky, seeing red kites flying overhead.

If you have not used the pool before, please give it a try and help retain this wonderful local amenity for another 100 years.

SUE HUTCHESON

Centenary Fun Day organiser

Service must be retained for elderly

It is with some concern that I have read your articles on the closure of [the Red Cross Day Centre, in Amersham] in August 2012.

I know personally two people who regularly go the centre every week and are concerned and devastated by this impending event – Roland Newnes, 89, who featured in the photograph on your front page of April 26, 2012, and Jim Bull, 87.

Both of these gentleman attend the Bucks Vision (Chalfont Division) Blind Club, which holds its meetings in The Memorial Hall in Chalfont St Giles.

I appeal to Bucks County Council and the British Red Cross to get together to retain this vital facility for elderly people.

The centre will still be there after August 2012.

Surely it will be better to fund its continued usage, as a day centre, rather than using funds to open new superhub(s), the cost of which could be enormous.

JIM KENWARD

Transport co-ordinator

Bucks Vision (Chalfont Division)

Blind Club

Carers of loved ones will miss out

As a carer working in the community, I know just how much the closure of this centre will mean to so many of the elderly in our community.

Not only is the centre a place where they can enjoy the company of others alleviating loneliness for a few hours a week, it also provides much needed respite for many full-time carers, ie spouses or children some of whom sacrificially, tirelessly and lovingly care for their loved ones full time.

JOAN MARTIN

Amersham

via email

Fouling is ruining sport in our park

LITTLE Chalfont Parish Council has received a number of complaints from members of the public and local sports teams about the issue of dog fouling at Westwood Park.

Although the majority of dog owners who use the park to exercise their dogs pick up any mess, there are a few who do not.

This is a particular problem at Westwood Park because the ground is used by numerous adult and junior sports teams, as well as by families who use the open space to play games and socialise.

As well as the obvious impact of stepping in, or falling into, dog faeces, there is also a potential health hazard because it can occasionally lead to toxocariasis in humans, which can cause serious illness, even blindness.

It seems that the majority of the faeces not picked up is left by dogs who are not being kept on a lead.

The council is currently undertaking a consultation about whether to bring in a by-law at Westwood Park to force dog owners, and dog walkers, to keep all dogs on a lead.

This would hopefully ensure that when a dog does foul, then the dog owner or the person in charge of the dog would realise and pick up the waste.

Our local dog warden has been carrying out regular patrols at the park and local councillors have handed out leaflets, but so far this has not made any difference.

Our sports teams are still having to scour the pitches and pick up lots of dog faeces before they can begin to play.

Little Chalfont Parish Council would welcome any thoughts from local members of the public as to how best to sort out this problem so that our families and sports teams may use the park safely.

Please contact the clerk on 01494 766 655 or by email at clerk2@littlechalfont-pc.gov.uk.

JANET MASON

Parish clerk

Little Chalfont Parish Council

Spirits high at important fair

I WOULD like to tell everyone just how good Chesham Grammar School’s Spring Fair was on Sunday, May 6.

There was a great spirit of enterprise and optimism despite the awful weather forecast and nothing dampened the enthusiasm of all those involved in the organisation.

Very many people were busy for months beforehand making preparations for this spectacular day.

It is one of the main fundraising events during the school year and we are lucky to have such an able and willing PTA who work so hard for the benefit of our pupils.

Thanks also go to the staff, parents and pupils who help to run stalls on the day and to everyone who made donations and contributed in so many ways – too many to mention, unfortunately.

NORA MAW

Language technician

Chesham Grammar School

Thanks for local artists’ support

THE Amersham Art Group had an enjoyable art exhibition in the Market Hall, Old Amersham, on May 4 to 6.

Fourteen local artists exhibited 108 items in various mediums, from watercolour and oil to acrylic and pastel – some contemporary clocks were included too.

We were pleased to have a number of visitors coming through the doors, some local, and some on holiday from overseas.

Various pictures were sold to both local visitors and some to visitors from as far away as Devon and Leeds.

If anyone is still interested in buying a picture they saw, please do contact the secretary on 07795 892 932.

We are grateful for the number of people who voted for our ‘Best in Show’ picture competition, and we are pleased to announce that David Evan’s picture Winter Marsh 2 won this year, and we will be presenting the Hywel Francis Trophy to him at our next meeting.

We hope to be putting on another exhibition next year and doing the competition again. Do contact us so we can let you know of the dates near the time.

We welcome visitors and new members to our friendly group, who usually meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the Amersham Community Centre at 7.30pm. The date for our next meeting is Tuesday, June 5 at 7.30pm – all are welcome.

The group’s website is www.amersham-art-group.org.uk or contact 07795 892 932 for more information.

DAVID RODGERS

Amersham Art Group