READER’S LETTERS
Reader’s Letters Thank you so much for sending the pdf files of the Magazine. We have printed them off and will put them in her Mothers Day card. I’m sure it will give her a thrill to see herself in print. Kind regards Peter and Cathy Valteris We are grateful to Simon Hoare MP for support after the very distressing experience of having found ourselves erroneously thinking we had sold our property, and therefore committing ourselves to an offer elsewhere, with our buyers then “pulling out”. This has left us with not only a tremendous amount of heartache and anxiety but also with the fact that we have let others down through no fault of our own. The buying and selling of houses here in England is fraught with peril - with which Simon Hoare agreed stating “the system is not fit for purpose”. Seemingly would-be buyers (and perhaps vendors too) can, and often do, pull out on the flimsiest of pretexts without any thought to the expense or any compensation already paid out to solicitors etc. The estate agents are equally frustrated and upset on our behalf - they are doing their best under very difficult circumstances. We have lived all over the world: in other countries, an offer is legally binding and a deposit paid, whereafter if either party defaults, quite rightly the deposit is forfeited. We have been told “everyone complains about the system, but nobody does anything about it”. Well people, it is time to change this nefarious practice and have
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Than that of those who risk their life
the law changed, which would benefit everyone concerned. Distressed of Shaftesbury. (name supplied)
To save another or comfort give To those about to say goodbye – Who may not have that long to live But will not, alone, be left to die
The digital BV is a triumph – many congratulations on this much needed innovation and the current issue in particular which is packed with useful and interesting articles. I especially liked the inclusion on NHS and other care workers. On this point I thought you might like to see my own tribute entitled ‘Bravest of the Brave’ (below). I think this poem echoes the thoughts of the whole nation and as I would like as many doctors, nurses and others serving in the care and allied sectors to see this tribute. Do ask readers to show or forward the poem to anyone they know who may be working or volunteering in those sectors or in similar family situations – that would be wonderful.
Let those who follow not forget The selfless love each carer gave For we will, forever, be in debt To the bravest of the brave
Paul Hooley Bravest of the Brave The greatest of courageous acts Are shown by those with clearest eye of the grimmest of all certain facts – The knowledge that they themselves could die Yet who, undaunted, still proceed – Own lives at risk and so aware – To nurse those in the greatest need Whom fate’s entrusted to their care Each time they don a mask or glove They too confront the terror rife Exists therefore no greater love
I just wanted to say My Mother in Law was very happy to see [her Mother’s Day message], she lives in Gloucester and we haven’t been able to see her since March last year as I’m a shielder. It reduced her to tears - in a good way! - so thank you for including our message, it was greatly received and appreciated. The Chaters. Thank you so much for the features this issue [March 21]on local Town & Parish Councils – it’s easy to laugh at the national drama that places like Handforth have created, but it’s no laughing matter when such matters occur within our own local councils. I don’t live in Shaftesbury, but were it my own council I’d certainly be following the progress of this story; one hopes our elected officials can disagree with kindness and respect, and manage to all work together. A divided council is never an effective one, which can only harm the whole town. The fact that you followed this rather sad story up with a feature on how important local councils are, and just why we should all get involved, was timely and very well-placed. It was an excellent read, and I certainly enjoyed Cllr Craven’s Always free - subscribe here
