LETTERS

It is being claimed, not for the first time, that the Waste Transfer Station at Craven Arms is a wonderful facility' and is hailed as such by over 90% of users, and that the concerted opposition to its location back in 2001/2 was an unnecessary waste of time and money and altogether a lot of fuss over nothing'.

Let's get a few facts straight; the Action Group, of which I was secretary, was instrumental in securing no fewer than 39 conditions on the operational procedures of the site. Furthermore, since the site opened I have chaired a Craven Arms Town Council sub-group which has closely monitored the site and met regularly with the site management to iron-out various issues as they have arisen. As a direct result, the facility, which is in a very sensitive location, has carried out its function, on the whole, in a socially acceptable manner.

But let's be clear about a few things; no matter where the site was located it would have been a wonderful facility' to 90% of users, because they wouldn't have been living next door to it. It's the other 10% of close proximity neighbours that we were concerned about, and still are, and not without good reason.

Consider this, there are plans afoot to considerably expand the waste site onto the adjacent ex-carriage sheds site and there are also plans to build a further 250-300 residential dwellings in the immediate vicinity. Not a rosy prospect, and with the current fervour for localised incinerators, optimum vigilance will need to be maintained.

However, myself and two other active members of the waste site sub-group will not be standing for town council seats in the May election, so it is to be hoped that the individuals who are currently trying to make political capital out of condemning our fruitful efforts, will be as quick to fill our shoes.

Frankly I don't think they can.

A J Willetts Halford Mill, Craven Arms Remove these signs at once JUST as we are trying to reduce street-sign clutter in Ludlow, there have suddenly appeared a pair of "Ahead Only" signs at the entry to King Street.

"No entry" signs at the other end of the one-way stretch are of course necessary. But when you turn out of Old Street or Corve Street at the Bull Ring junction you do not need to be told you are going the RIGHT way!

Not only are these signs visually obtrusive, they are obstructive too. The lamp standard on the northern side has been placed right against the buildings to keep it off the pavement; the post for the new sign is placed exactly opposite it and does restrict the pavement width.

King Street has been one-way as long as any of us can remember. Why is it suddenly considered to need these signs? In my opinion they should be removed at once.

Ian Leslie, 33 Gravel Hill, Ludlow.

What happens to our council tax money?

WHEN I received my council tax bill I was very heartened to see on the envelope that the average increase was an incredible £6.71 per year.

On opening the said envelope I found that my increase on my Band E house was actually £7 per month. I presume that the envelope should have read average increase £6.71 per month not per year.

It makes you wonder that if thousands of envelopes went out unchecked like this or someone cannot do a simple mathematic sum what happens to the rest of the vast amount of money we pay in council tax!

Mrs Anne Pratt, Clee St Margaret, Nr Ludlow.

Prompt fire service help saved our home WE would like to say a very big thank you to the Fire Service who had to be called to a fire which started in our garden in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.

We would also like to thank the many neighbours who also rang the Fire Service.

Due to the Fire Service's quick actions and professionalism we still have a home.

It is not until something like this directly effects you that you truly realise how important they are to Tenbury and district.

Ian and Nicola Watts, Bell Lane, Tenbury.

King's Head pub sign will be replaced THE King's Head pub sign was knocked down twice in one month by passing lorries.

It was not replaced for public safety reasons and the decision was made to move it closer to the building away from the road.

As the building is due to be externally redecorated it has been decided to replace the signage.

Gordon C Montgomery, licensee, King's Head, Cross Street, Tenbury Wells.

Calling former naval electricians THE highlight of the Royal Naval Electrical Branch Association will be the annual reunion which is due to be held in Bournemouth.

If there are any ex-Royal Naval electricians interested in learning more abou the association they are invited to drop me a line and tell me when they served and if they can remember their service number!

I can be contacted on mike.crowel@btinternet.com or at 7 Heath Road, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8PG Mike Crowe RNEBA Isle of Wight Poppy collectors' awards are ready COLLECTORS who applied for Royal British Legion Poppy Collectors' Awards are invited to collect them from the Royal British Legion's Victory House in Ludlow at 8.30pm on Saturday, April 21.

Any queries telephone 01584 875940.

Alan Walker, Corve Street, Ludlow.

Thank your for raising the profile of hares I wanted to thank you or publishing your article "Hare today but gone tomorrow?" In the March 29 edition of the Advertiser.

Many people don't realise how badly hares are abused and articles such as yours help to raise the hares' profile. Some 300,000 hares are shot annually, leaving at least 37,000 orphaned leverets to die of starvation. Over the year the figure is probably closed to 70,000.

So, perhaps, for future use in this context you might be interested in some humorous quotes from a promotional leaflet "New Labour, New Britain, New Life for Animals" which was published by the Labour Party before it came to power in 1997.

"We share our planet with a wide range of creatures. Labour believes it is our responsibility to treat them humanely."

"The Labour Party has fought for animal welfare at every available opportunity."

Rodney Hale, chairman, British Brown Hare Preservation Society, Crediton.

Have you questions for your councillors?

THE annual Tenbury town meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Teme Street, Tenbury Wells on Monday, April 30, at 7pm.

This is a public meeting of the local government electors of Tenbury, who are invited to attend and take part in discussions and meet such members of the Tenbury Town Council as may be present.

This is an annual statutory meeting of the town electors and is NOT a council meeting.

Reports will be received from the Town Mayor, district councillors and county councillor.

Notice of questions from the public, if possible, should be sent to me, the town clerk, by April 27.

Pat Buckley, town clerk, Council Offices, Teme Street, Tenbury Wells.