This week's Bromsgrove and Droitwich Standard letters.......

Why have cashless parking when around 80 per cent use coins?

BROMSGROVE District Council are considering coinless parking.

Approximately 80 per cent of drivers currently prefer to pay in cash, so it is hoped these people would continue shopping in Bromsgrove under a coinless system. The principle of coinless parking can prove difficult for the low paid who can not afford a smart phone, those who have not mastered digital technology, or simply motorists who prefer the confidentiality of cash, rather than divulge their financial details via a debit card.

I have not visited Artrix since coinless parking began because I cannot see the point of using the ‘phone simply to reserve a parking space, when I could easily pop a few coins into a ticket machine’.

Technology should make life easier, not more complicated.

Droitwich continues to operate cash parking, together with free disabled parking for drivers like me, so why not Bromsgrove?

Blue Badger

Bromsgrove

We want our traditional bonfire and fireworks, not a light celebration

I HAVE to say I’m really disappointed with the council’s light celebration idea.

Firstly, it’s tradition to have bonfire night – we are losing our history of Guy Fawkes Night.

Also why arrange this on Halloween weekend (an American tradition that we’ve decided to follow like sheep)?

I’d rather have lights in the park for Christmas.

When I was a child, watching the bonfire and fireworks with sparklers was a tradition and we looked forward to getting together as a family to enjoy together!

Not that my views will be listened too.

I’ll just go elsewhere for my bonfire / fireworks display.

Julie Albion

Light show is great news for Bromsgrove’s pets

BROMSGROVE District Council’s light celebration is great news.

I’m so happy to learn that wildlife and pets (including my own dog) will not be terrified by the fireworks this year.

Well done to all involved.

Sue Shore

Never mind the Pride event, why did police attend Court Leet Fair Day?

I NOTE the furore Conservative councillor Adam Kent has created about the presence of West Mercia Police at the Bromsgrove Pride event.

Did I miss his criticism of a police escort in the town afforded to the Bromsgrove Court Leet on their Fair Day a few months ago?

Surely the Police should have been ‘out there’ fighting crime and injustice then?

Mike Marshall

Rock Hill

Bromsgrove Pride was welcome, as were the police after discrimination

I WOULD like to express my thanks to the organisers of Bromsgrove Pride for organising such a successful and joyous event on a very wet Saturday .

I was disappointed to see a Tory councillor, the deputy leader of Bromsgrove Council, criticising the police for being there and keeping people safe.

He will not have experienced the prejudice and discrimination that some members of the LBGTQ+ community experience daily.

I hope he apologises and in future endeavours to represent all those he serves.

I hope Bromsgrove Pride will be the first of many – a most welcome addition to the area’s calendar.

Bromsgrove resident

Help is there for breast cancer patients, left lonely during pandemic

I AM acutely aware of the shattering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the emotional wellbeing of people with breast cancer.

News of a diagnosis can be a lonely experience, and the pandemic has at times exacerbated this, denying people the chance to be with loved ones.

We’ve seen a sharp rise in calls to our Helpline and emails to our Ask Our Nurses service from people struggling emotionally.

Many say the loneliness they’ve felt living with breast cancer during the pandemic has been the hardest emotional impact to cope with negatively impacting on their mental health.

As we look ahead to a ‘new normal’, we must acknowledge the loneliness legacy facing people who’ve lived with breast cancer through the pandemic and commit to addressing it.

This Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to remind everyone affected by breast cancer that we’re always with you, in every way we can.

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, our Online Support Services are one click away for anyone after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Whether you’re a younger woman, adjusting to life after treatment, or living with incurable secondary breast cancer, our tailored support provides a confidential, safe space to connect with others and access specialist information.

Find out more about Younger Women Together, Moving Forward, Someone Like Me, and Living With Secondary Breast Cancer at: breastcancernow.org/online-services.

Jane Murphy

Breast Cancer Now Clinical Nurse Specialist

Older vegans have the right for their dietary needs to be met

THE RECENT social care news coverage has raised interesting questions about the control we have over our care in later life.

September was World Alzheimer’s Month, raising awareness of the issues faced by people living with the challenging disease.

The disease is a major concern for some older vegetarians and vegans (veg*ns). Many of us worry about needing care, fearing we may lose the ability to choose a diet in accordance with our beliefs and values.

Vegetarian for Life (VfL), a national charity that supports older veg*ns, launched a self-advocacy pack to support people worried about this situation on National Older Vegetarians and Vegans Day (October 1).

The pack will help to explain the laws protecting those with special dietary needs – sources of support if your rights aren’t being recognised and simple actions you can take to protect your rights.

These include making a statement of your wishes and care preferences, helping future carers to understand your needs.

It is vitally important that people plan for their future and know their rights.

Contact the charity – vegetarianforlife.org.uk – to request a pack or visit the website for more information.

Joe Barson

Advocacy and Policy Officer

Vegetarian for Life

EDITOR’S COMMENT

SOME concerns have been expressed about the district council’s proposals for cashless car parking in Bromsgrove and the need for as many payment options as possible so it is fair to everyone.

If there is a swell of opposition in favour of cash payments continuing, the council must keep them.

So – as this is a consultation – if you do have a view on it, make sure you take the time to put it across to ensure your opinion is considered.