Make changes for future generations
I have stopped reading the various comments regarding the bus station in the papers and its location . . . no one seems to agree any way.
Today I read of plans to build a greyhound stadium in Towcester. We used to have one here in Northampton and it attracted enormous crowds, including myself, and afforded a facility for local and nationwide greyhound owners.
I was told the then council had done a deal with local businesses in that area to close it down, I never found out why. Heard this back in the 1950s.
Why not build one here? We have plenty of space.
Towcester at the moment is congested even when there is no horse racing let alone dog racing as well. I have been to Towcester on race days and have not seen sufficient attendees for such a large facility.
It could be built on The Racecourse together with resurrecting the old Gee Gee Racecourse? And finally change the name of the White Elephant to New Elephant.
And the bus station: how about the following?
Having been born in Northampton, I remember some of the good things we used to have: a greyhound stadium, a roller skating rink and such like. If the bus station has to move, why not use the current one for other amenities? A total facility for: swimming pool, fish market, roller skating, ice skating, gymnasium, sports shops, restaurants, take-aways, fast food shops, Citizens’ Advice, events arena, children’s play area, elderly people’s rest and refreshment area, a study centre for learner drivers’ theory lessons, slot machines, vending machines etc.
Then we would probably be able to get our long-awaited city status and become an innovative and expanding city to be proud of.
I know lots of old fuddy-duddys do not like change, I am now in my 70s and would love to see changes for the better and for the generations to come.
Warren Higgs,
Keyham Court, The Glades, Northampton.
Save the young and the NHS
Binge drinking particularly among the younger part of our modern day society has become a “disease” that is fast becoming a national disaster. As such I believe we should be seriously doing something positive about it, and very soon, before it reaches a proportion that will eventually destroy much of our society.
I am not a killjoy, but speak as an experienced senior citizen who in his early youth also fell foul of the peer pressure you do today. Why do you feel the need to drink to the limit before you can enjoy living?
Just three points I would raise although there are many many more.
(1) Drinking to excess can damage seriously your health
(2) It is one of life’s more expensive wastes
(3) It can kill you
More than one third of accidents are caused through drinking excessively, the national health spends billions of pounds just to help get you back on your feet after a drinking binge. I could go on for there are so many ridiculous things that spoil our society by the scourge of drinking excessively. If the youngsters will not listen and curtail these habits, then we the more mature part of society must take steps to help eradicate this modern “plague”.
When I was a soldier we had to learn discipline, we were helped if we had an accident, but if that accident was self inflicted we were punished, and sadly I believe this must be one of the answers to our problem. Binge drinking is self inflicted.
I believe the first step to inflict that punishment must hit their pocket, so after their first drink fuelled visit to a hospital, they should be warned, and the next time a very stiff fine should be administered, firstly to make them realise they are taking valuable time away from the staff who could be treating genuine patients who are in greater need, and to make them aware of the cost of their foolishness.
The next step I believe should be on subsequent visits to a hospital for drink inflicted accidents, they should be prosecuted and hopefully given punishments that fit the crime.
Yes I do believe it is a crime against society. We must bring home to them the folly of their foolishness and if they will not listen to sound advice then punishment should ensue, but it must while being delivered by a firm fist be also administered in love.
We do not want to stop you enjoying yourselves while you are young, but you must be made aware that if you digress from the peaceful ways of our society you will be punished and hard. We must take off the kid gloves we put on when facing these situations and it must happen soon rather than later, hoping by these actions we may save some young lives and save our NHS from being run into the ground by them.
MR P G Seymour,
Edward Watson Close,
Kingsthorpe, Northampton.
A horrific and mindless attack
Once again I opened the Chronicle to read yet another horrific attack on an innocent member of the public.
The story which involved the blind man Peter, who was only walking to meet a friend, makes me angry as to how a small minority of today’s society can carry out such an ordeal, which could have lead to more serious injuries than the ones he suffered to his face and mouth.
Who in their mind would want to carry out such a mindless attack on someone at 5.50am in the morning?
I hope sooner than later the individual or individuals who did this unprovoked attack are sought, and I hope Peter, who suffered this terrible ordeal, makes a speedy recovery from his injuries.
Craig Steele,
Brookside Meadows,
Kings Heath, Northampton.
Your chance to have your say
Thanks to the Chronicle & Echo we now have an opportunity to challenge the leader of the borough council about the proposed bus station fiasco in the forthcoming online debate. We would strongly advise all those people who oppose this ludicrous plan to, if possible, make their feelings known. It is important the council can not justify their actions by saying nobody was interested. Go to www.northamp tonchron.co.uk on Thursday, February 24, at 11am and have your say.
Christine and Trevor Pinfold,
High Street, Blisworth.
Turn Fishmarket into a shelter
INSTEAD of knocking down the bus station why not give it a facelift with some extra amenities, a lift to access the shops and buses that run along Abington Street?
The Fishmarket could then be used for a night shelter offering soups and snacks.
Instead of tampering with the NHS the money could train matrons and ward sisters. And how about a multi-storey car park at Cliftonville?
N Letts,
Kingsland Avenue, Northampton.
Who is to blame for collections?
READING your papers about the leader of the council’s apologies about bin collections having teething problems and snow is not to blame. So what is to blame or who is to blame? Every time the council introduces privatisation something goes wrong. I’m suppose to have help from my bungalow as the bin is far too heavy for me to wheel down, so I’ve rang several times to complain about my bin to be emptied. If we did not have privatised companies perhaps we would have less employment.
I’m so angry about what the leader is saying. This makes my blood boil. Why oh why must they employ companies that don’t deliver?
Still my friend’s lights are not on. She’s 82 years old and at nights can’t see to put her key in the door. This county council wants shooting for taking risks with the elderly.
I have to take a torch around there when I go and see her and this weather makes it bad as well.
Jean Lineker,
Drywell Court, Standens Barn, Northampton.
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