Your letters this week (June 21)

Jun 21 2012 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Alarm at potential risk from beeping

ONE metre away on either side of the ATM at HSBC bank in Gerrards Cross is a pelican crossing pole.

Idly looking around while waiting at my wife’s side as she used the ATM, I was puzzled why the crossing was beeping when it showed red and there was nobody else there. I was amused when I realised that the loud beeping was coming from the ATM as it returned her card.

Instantly it conjured up the chaotic scenario of a blind person making the same mistake, unaware either of the car turning into Ethorpe Crescent or the person using the ATM.

SIMON G DAWSON

Gold Hill West

Chalfont St Peter

Enjoyable party defied weather...

I am writing to extend my heartiest congratulations to the organisers of the Field Way, Chalfont St Peter diamond jubilee street party in Mill Meadow on the Sunday of the jubilee weekend.

As people will recall, the weather was atrocious but despite many setbacks, the organisers went ahead and gave such attendees as myself a most, if also moist, enjoyable afternoon.

Although brollies and wellies may have been the order of the day, I saw not one gloomy face, nor heard one gripe, and the spirit of all there was pure Britain.

Once more my congratulations to all organisers and if you’re doing it next year, I’ll be there.

All my respect and admiration,

PAUL GRANT

Via email

… but damp squibin Beaconsfield

DURING the past couple of weeks I am sure many of you could not help but see the different ways towns and villages around the country celebrated the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

For some reason Beaconsfield’s revelry seemed quite subdued.

I think it was a shame that there was no joined-up thinking to empower local groups in Beaconsfield to come together to commemorate the jubilee. Instead it would appear it was left to local residents and churches to organise street and garden parties and the only visible signs came from various shops in the old and new town that marked the occasion with jubilee-inspired shop windows. We should applaud this.

The official celebration organised by the town council was to mark the lighting of the beacon with a really good fireworks display at the rugby club; but how many in Beaconsfield were aware of the event? Unfortunately the publicity was woefully inadequate and as a result the turnout was rather poor, which is disappointing.

Perhaps what was needed was the town to be enthused with a wave of support and some esprit de corps that brought the town together. Union Flags should have been flying from buildings, like in Chalfont St Peter, and a banner across the street advertising the fireworks. Sadly I am not sure if the town council is capable of doing this.

In my opinion, the way the town council chose to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee lacked the imagination that was possibly required to bring the town together. Instead I think its interest may lie elsewhere.

Party politics and personal issues seem to play more of a part in local governments these days and its leadership may have forgotten the original reasons why community-minded people stood for their local council. I, like others, have lost all confidence in the current administration. It is no wonder that there is general apathy at local council elections.

Perhaps it is time, therefore, to take party politics completely out of local councils. It serves no purpose other than to advance the egos of those wrapped up in their own self-importance and this interferes with good governance.

Unfortunately local voters influenced by a sea of blue mist vote for the party rather than the person who would best serve the community.

So would a town council completely made up of caring locals, not aligned to any political party, have fared better with the celebrations of the Queen’s jubilee? History might suggest it would, as party politics is only a recent phenomenon.

I think change is needed so we can have a town council that we are proud of, with councillors who earn the respect of the community.

SIMON WOOLF

Via email

Stirring up some support for charity

The Frost Partnership is rising to an Olympic charity challenge this month when a team of the fittest Frost staff will be cycling a 50-mile circuit, visiting every one of the 13 Frost branches along the way!

On Friday, July 6, five people, headed by managing director John Frost, will start the first leg of the journey in Middlesex from their Feltham office, visiting Ashford, Staines and Wraysbury.

The second leg takes them north into the Thames Valley region passing the Langley, Windsor and Burnham offices. The final leg of the journey will cover the Bucks region, visiting the branches in Flackwell Heath, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter before finally reaching their final destination, the Gerrards Cross office.

This impressive challenge is to raise money for Wooden Spoon, a children’s charity that is dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and young people across the British Isles, helping them live happier, richer lives. The funds raised will help children and young people in our local area.

Support is most welcome! Please cheer the Frost team along the way if you see them on the day or if you would like to sponsor The Frost Team and raise funds for Wooden Spoon, visit our JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/FrostCycleChallenge.

Thank you.

NICKY FROST

The Frost Partnership