Readers' letters: A note of thanks for those who deliver our papers, plus a picture from the archives of young evacuees pausing for a cup of tea

Thank-you to paper deliverers

The recent spell of cold, icy weather made me think of the youngsters who deliver our newspapers without fail in all weathers.

If you have your paper delivered, spare a thought for those youngsters who get up in the dark and battle the elements so that you can read your newspaper over breakfast in the warmth of your home. You might argue that you pay for delivery and that your paper boy or girl receives that payment, but some of that money goes to cover admin and drivers dropping off the newspapers. They are notoriously badly paid and that is why it is only youngsters who do this job.

Our 16-year-old son gets up at 7am on a Saturday and Sunday and delivers a big pile of papers in all weathers. I was surprised that only one kind customer chose to thank him at Christmas with a small tip. Surely our young people who reliably deliver newspapers deserve a thank you and acknowledgement that what they do is valued?

We need to look after them otherwise there may come a time when there is no one willing to go out in the early morning to deliver our newspapers.

Diane Monether, Midlands

Retiring from tools charity

For over 20 years I have been the local collector for Tools for Self Reliance. TfSR is a charity based in Southampton. These tools (which have covered a wide range of items) are sent to various African countries. There TfSR engage with local organisations that arrange the training of people and the placement of the equipment as they start up small businesses.

In October of this year I had intended to retire having reached age 90. Events have brought that forward. The Aston on Clun collection and repair workshop will close quite soon. Age is the main factor although some changes in the HQ arrangements and with a sister group in south Wales have been factors also.

In these circumstances my main consideration is to thank all those people who have given us so many of their old but useful tools, sewing machines and, very often, some really new equipment. I know I speak for the men and women who have done so much work at Aston in repair and refurbishment.

I am so sorry that I cannot recommend any other group I know of that is in the same field and is local.

John Riley, Midlands

When will grit bin be filed?

On January 5, I notified Dudley Council our grit bin was empty in Apperley Way, Halesowen. 

Having lived here for 38 years am quite used to bad weather and only once in that time when Dudley purchased cheap grit with horse pee in it have been able to get in and out. This year with their inadequate gritting and bins empty or removed people have been dicing with death literally.

I have watched from my window vans slide side on and cars. With Shaftesbury Avenue totally impassable for people has they slide into a main road Lyde Green.

I filled a form in on January 9 and have made numerous other calls through council plus.

I can see they are filling bins but ours remains empty. People are going to get injured or worse, this is a failure of duty if care – I’m actually wondering what we are paying council tax for.

New bins being delivered by April at what must be thousands of pounds – and  two weeks rubbish collection! I’m somewhat aghast at what is being done and where the money is going potholes beyond words.

They need to be brought to task.

Beverley Cope, Halesowen

Cunning plan for Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham can stand as an Independent candidate. Then cross the floor to join the Labour Party.

E J Thomas, Staffs

New fairer tax is much needed

As the obscenely large rise in the business rating system comes into effect in addition to the N I increase laying waste to our pubs, restaurants and high street shops, it must now be time for a radical revamp of our taxation system if our towns are to remain vibrant retail centres.

The answer must be a new form of taxation aimed solely at the online retail and service providers who have reaped the immense benefits of centralised trading at the expense of traditional businesses.

An Online Transaction tax on all retailers, to include banking and financial services and utilizing the undoubted power of Artificial Intelligence, would rapidly raise the funds needed to abolish or at least severely reduce the rating and N I burden on local service providers that are central to the success and ambience of our towns and villages. Losing our pubs, restaurants and local shops can be counted in lost jobs, social isolation and life impairment. Politicians, listen and act.

Peter Morgan, Audlem

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