National News

Mike writes to the Wilts Gazette about need for public consultation on gypsy sites

Mike wrote on 5th May "The situation surrounding the gypsies living in Minety is clearly a very delicate one. The excellent letter from Paul Venton in last week's Gazette and Herald acknowledged that the gypsies must be involved in finding an alternative site and that Conservative-run North Wiltshire District Council was wrong in the way it sought to rush through a decision. Unfortunately, also in last week's edition was a column from James Gray MP in which he compared gypsies to red-headed Scotsmen and suggested that the planning process should not accommodate their desire to live together as a group. Surely what is needed from the area's MP are considered and thoughtful comments rather than the rash and divisive ones written by Mr Gray.

6 May 2008
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Post Office Closures

I am perplexed, as I am sure other readers are, by Ian Smith's letter (BFP 1/5/09). He indicates that the EU Directive EU/67/EC and 2002/39/EC are related to the post office closures. I am sure everyone else knows it has nothing to do with the Post Office network, but relates to postal services delivered by the Royal Mail. The Royal Mail, the Regulator Postcomm, and the consumer watchdog Postwatch all support these measures so what is Ian's problem with them? These Directive set out to create common postal standards across Europe and opens up the current monopoly the Royal Mail has in the UK. Despite losing their monopoly the Royal Mail still support it.

DC
6 May 2008
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Lib Dem Peer Lord Richard Holme Dies

Senior Liberal Democrat Lord Holme has died at the age of 71 after a long illness, it has been announced. The peer was the party's Northern Ireland spokesman in the 1990s and a close advisor to Sir Menzies Campbell, Paddy Ashdown and David Steel.

5 May 2008
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British Army Gurkha's on parade

Gurkhas Awarded Freedom of Sandgate

The 2nd Battalion, the Royal Gurkha Rifles, from Shornecliffe barracks, have today been granted the Freedom of Sandgate. The award was given after the regiment had marched through the town, accompanied by marching pipes and drums.

5 May 2008
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