Letters

The West Dorset Magazine, July 29, 2022 63 newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk Letters Hardy is still relevant in the classroom

While I did not read the original piece by Chris Loder, I was rather surprised to see such a dismissive attitude towards Thomas Hardy from a member of West Dorset’s Green Party (Kelvin Clayton Politics, July 15). Hardy’s deep love and acute observation of the natural world permeates his work, which is heavily ‘nostalgic’. I think the man who wrote: “After 2,000 years of mass we’ve got as far as poison gas” and the harrowing description of agricultural working conditions in Tess of the D’Urbevilles would have had no trouble engaging with weapons of mass destruction and the chaos of climate change. Our children spend quite enough time worrying about these things anyway – rather than burdening them with more of the same it is the business of English literature to equip them with the emotional intelligence, social awareness and spiritual hinterland to enable them to cope with such issues. I would argue that Hardy’s work is supremely well-suited to do this, as well as being particularly relevant to Dorset’s children, something I was very grateful for during my own time as a teacher. I am not quite sure why Kelvin finds the association of Hardy with West Dorset ‘quaint’ and wonder if he has ever read Fellow Townsman –one of the writer’s most quintessential stories, which is actually set in Bridport and West Bay? As for his assertion that the past is in the past and the future is in the front of us may I remind him of a fellow philosopher’s saying, that those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it? Great magazine. Keep up the good work! Sue Baillie, Bridport I would like to give readers an update from the Schoolroom Quilters in Eype after our exhibition. We collected a whopping £2,509.19 for West Dorset Motor Neurone Disease. That amount includes the £503.48 from donations, the sale of cream teas, cakes refreshments, percentage of sales from Dorset Patchworks and items made and donated by the group. We also donated £503.48 to Friends of St Peters Church for the upkeep of this beautiful church. We could not have done this without the support of people such as The West Dorset Magazine and others who have supported us. Nor could we have done it without the wonderful support of Bridport Round Table with their donation of £1,000 and initial donation to get the project off the ground. Diana Harvey Rosemary Binns Co Organisers Eype Schoolroom quilters Neil Matthews (‘Returning wildlife placed at risk with development’ July 15) is quite right to use the opportunity to castigate Dorset Council for its promotion of the North Dorchester housing scheme. It cannot be said too often that the council is completely wrong-headed in this, and more generally in its preference for promoting a small number of large add-ons to Dorset’s towns, rather than facilitate small add-ons to towns and villages that would actually cater for real local needs. Arguably the root of the problem is the government’s top-down imposition of housing targets that are determined by some algorithm rather than by any examination of the situation on the ground. But Dorset Council compounds this folly by its policy – which of course arises not from the views of residents but from the fact that it makes life much easier for the planning department and committee to have to deal with just a handful of mega schemes rather than a multiplicity of smaller ones. It also makes it easier for the small number of very large national builders that dominate the housebuilding scene, as opposed to the small local firms who are almost always far better attuned to local needs and local architectural traditions. Roger White, Sherborne In response to the Issue 11 article ‘A toast to our hospital food’ I can’t believe this article was ever worth writing, and am surprised it was considered appropriate to publish it. The NHS is on its knees, and out of everything that could be addressed, complaining about hospital food seems ridiculous. I have been in awe of the NHS this past year, more so than normal. I gave birth in November to a beautiful baby who has been diagnosed with a rare disease and so is medically complex. We had a six-week stay in three different hospitals when he was born. He had experts from every conceivable speciality see him, whilst dozens of tests were ran to figure out what was wrong. All for free. As a breastfeeding mum, the NHS offered to feed me three times per day, plus snacks. I bought my own food whenever possible to help, but often did end up eating NHS food by the bedside. Despite not being the patient myself, nurses continually offered to fetch me hot and cold drinks. I cannot conceive of complaining about this free service. I myself underwent surgery last week to find out more about my son’s genetic disease. This time as the patient I was brought food, the lady next to me was found something suitable to eat as she was gluten intolerant. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the primary concern of our NHS was food, and we were in a position where we could fund ‘localised catering facilities in every department’. The article did contain a line about the amazing staff, but almost as an afterthought. I’m writing this from the hospital bedside of my son, where we’re fortunate tonight to just be overnight visitors. I see how many people are involved in the care of my son for another 14-hour inpatient stay; so far two sisters, three nurses (one of whom has found me bedding and made up a bed), one doctor, one specialist, one auxiliary nurse, one cleaner. I see how many beds are on this ward, and how many patients the staff have to care for. We arrived late tonight, so didn’t see the food trolley, but I know they’ll be round in the morning. And I certainly won’t have the gall to comment on what I expect to see on the menu. I’m really enjoying the magazine so far (with the exception of this), and so my apologies for getting in touch to primarily complain, rather than congratulate you and the team. The magazine is a great local asset, keep up the good work. Amy Hogben