Appreciation for work of volunteers

THANK you for putting the spotlight on Blue Sky Development (The sky’s not the limit for ex-cons who want to work, Gazette, August 1).

A Blue Sky team worked alongside Friends of Eastcote House Gardens volunteer gardeners during the project to restore the Walled Garden.

The team were absolutely fantastic. Without their hard work and initiative the project would not have been completed on time. Some of the team even gave up their free time to volunteer at weekends.

Blue Sky is a very worthwhile organisation; long may it continue to prosper.

LESLEY CROWCROFT

Chairwoman, Friends of Eastcote House Gardens

Via email

Landlords should help improve area

WE DO not need another cheap pound store (New store is a bargain for town, Gazette, August 1).

What we do need is maybe smaller units within that site, selling goods that are obviously going to be pricier but are needed within this area.

A decent haberdasher, a good brand name shoe store, some speciality stores, another jeweller; competition is always healthy to keep prices keen.

We want the area to be upgraded, not downgraded by yet another pound store, including the fact we have a glut of takeaways within Yiewsley and West Drayton.

I am aware that we already have empty retail units; rents are obviously too high.

Come on, landlords, do something about it.

Let’s improve this area even more by bringing in some class.

KATE PAGE

Via email

Give us Primark, not Family Bargains

I THINK the old Focus site would be more popular as a Primark (reference as above).

The nearest store is Harrow, Slough or Hounslow.

With the new Lidl just across the road from the university, I don’t think the students will travel as far as Focus.

If they get the bus, (with) the bus fare added on to their shopping, there will be little saving.

I believe they will be able to get most of what they want at Lidl. I will not be using the store.

JENNY DEWEY

Via email

Cemetery not the place for barbecue

Regarding Cemetery rules to get an overhaul (Gazette, August 1)

SOME of the memorials are an absolute eyesore to say the least, and totally inappropriate in a cemetery setting.

What upset my wife the most, though, as it approaches the anniversary of our oldest son’s interment there, was that, while our younger son and his partner were laying some fresh plants around his headstone the other Sunday, there was a huge barbecue taking place in the grounds, with children playing around the graves and headstones.

I appreciate that different cultures have differing expectations, but in our view the cemetery is a place for respect and tranquillity, and not the place for what we consider to be anti-social behaviour and a disregard of sensitivity for relatives of all those interred.

The council tries to keep the site in good order but as usual some users just go too far, and without a shadow of doubt, modern rules are necessary, with realistic enforcement as necessary.

FRANK MANNING

West Drayton

Via email

Terrible lack of respect for dead

REGARDING the cemetery article, I do strongly agree with all the issues that have been commented on (reference as above).

I also feel you need to be aware of all the dogs that are taken there; some of them are on leads but most are allowed to roam around freely

Often there is dog mess on the grass and on the graves of loved ones. It is very upsetting when this happens.

Many of the people that go there are elderly and they feel very intimidated by these animals.

There are signs up but they are very small and people choose to take no notice of the signs. I have told the groundsman about this, but he is no help at all.

I have also phoned the Civic Centre. They said they were going to put up a bigger sign but that was two months ago and still no sign.

I don’t think people understand how disrespectful and upsetting it is to find dog mess on a loved one’s grave.

In the winter months the footpaths are very icy, which I understand can’t be helped, but it isn’t helped by water not being able to run away because of blocked drains.

When I asked why the drains aren’t cleared, I was told there wasn’t enough money to pay for it. If that’s the case then why are they renewing a perfectly good fence around the cemetery, which I was told would cost around £30,000?

Again it is the elderly who suffer, not being able to pay their respects to a loved one.

Hopefully you might be able to help shed some light on these issues.

TONI

Via email

In response, Hillingdon Council says it is planning to put up signs within the next six weeks, informing people of both opening hours and prohibited activities, such as drinking alcohol, lighting fires and playing music.

Travesty of justice for hardship case

WHAT on earth are our elected councillors doing to oppose this government’s policies of cruelty against those least able to defend themselves?

You recently highlighted the case of a family of five whom the council had decided had made themselves intentionally homeless.

Despite their best efforts they could not get Legal Aid and representation to appeal the decision until it was too late.

The council then challenged and defeated their application to be heard in the county court, thus leaving the family homeless and desperate as they do not have the deposit nor a guarantor to rent in the expensive private sector.

Their Member of Parliament apparently could do nothing. The cabinet member for housing apparently could do nothing.

All the family wanted was the right to be interviewed, to defeat the false allegations made against them which led to the perverse initial council decision.

It is a travesty of justice and a display of bureaucratic cruelty to beggar belief.

Their treatment is not unusual. Despite the best efforts of the depleted and demoralised housing staff, and in spite of the promises of the councillors to defend front-line services and the weakest in our community, the hardship inflicted on our most vulnerable people increases daily.

I am dealing with many such cases of hardship and injustice which would break any heart, and the repeated response is that there is nothing that can be done because of government policies and the lack of social and ‘affordable’ housing.

Sadly, we have seen nothing yet, as only 15 per cent of the cuts have yet been implemented.

The real cost in hardship, ill-health, family breakdown and suicide increase weekly.

‘Community spirit’, The Big Society, ‘all in it together’, ‘active citizens’ – pure callous, meaningless humbug.

WALLY KENNEDY

Hillingdon Against Cuts

Townsend Way

Northwood

Join the debate about Hayes Town centre

THE July 25 edition of the Hayes and Harlington Gazette reported on the hearing of the petition to reopen Hayes Town to through traffic and a difference of opinion between traders and ward councillors (Traders want centre reopened for traffic).

The question of whether traffic should be allowed to pass through the centre of the town has been a matter of controversy for more than 20 years.

Previous consultations were criticised as inadequate but there is now a chance to get a clear answer once and for all. In September the council will be carrying out a survey on what improvements are needed in Hayes and this issue will be one of the most important to be decided. What is absolutely vital is that all sections of the community get to have their say.

The views of the traders are well known and deserve respect. However, we also need to hear what the shoppers think and to find out what would encourage more people to shop in Hayes.

The Hayes Town Partnership is pressing to make sure that the consultation is as wide-ranging as possible and the council has committed itself not only to distribute leaflets but to hold exhibitions at a number of locations so that people can find out more, ask questions and register their views.

The Gazette has a key role to play in this process and I welcome the fact that you have already asked your readers to send messages to your Hayes reporter at his email address – jack.griffith@trinitymirror.com.

Whether or not Hayes is reopened is not a done deal. Everybody who is affected has the right to put their point of view.

Let the debate begin!

DAVID BROUGH

Chairman, Hayes Town Partnership

Via email