Your letters...

Crystal clear objections
Editor, — I am writing to share some reflections on the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service consultation public meeting held at Christ Church on Thursday last week.
It was, in many ways, a strong demonstration of how deeply this community cares about its services and its future.
Our elected representatives — Mayor Tom Buckley, Stefan Gawrysiak and Leigh Rawlins, from Oxfordshire County Council, and our MP Freddie van Mierlo — were eloquent, well informed and are clearly deeply engaged with the consultation. They did Henley proud.

In particular, it was refreshing to hear from an MP who not only turns up but clearly understands the community he represents.
His message was unmistakable — if anyone intends to make significant changes affecting Henley, they had better arrive with a watertight plan and be prepared for robust scrutiny.
And scrutinise we did, robustly.
I would also like to note the professionalism shown by the chief fire officer for Oxfordshire, Rob MacDougall.
In Henley we are well known for our rigorous questioning, yet he remained open, patient and constructive throughout and handled the intensity of the discussion with commendable calm and respect.
I am sure he has gone away with a crystal clear view of the town’s objections to the potential closure of the fire station.
One moment of the evening, however, felt unfortunate. The Henley Standard’s reporter appeared to be swept up in the rising emotion of the room, leading to a comment that suggested “blood on their hands”.
Directed at a firefighter with three decades of service, someone who has undoubtedly witnessed situations most of us would struggle to imagine, it felt out of place and unhelpful.
A more measured question, aimed at drawing out insight for your readers, would have served the moment far better.
Henley expects high standards from those who speak for it and those who report on it. The vast majority of the evening reflected that.
I hope your coverage of the event will capture the same balance, professionalism and respect that most participants demonstrated on the night. — Yours faithfully,

Jason French
Blandy Road, Henley

Fire station must remain
Sir, — Last week at the Christ Church Centre there was a public meeting with Rob MacDougall, the chief fire officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The meeting was about the closure of the Henley fire station. It was attended by more than 200 Henley residents and also residents from the surrounding villages.
Thanks to Geoff Luckett, of the Henley Society, Shiplake Parish Council local churches, sports clubs, Kate Oldridge, of Greener Henley, and our many Henley WhatsApp groups for publicising this meeting. Presentations were made and then there was a question and answer session.
I have been working with Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo and Councillor Leigh Rawlins, of Oxfordshire County Council, on this matter and we now have the granular data regarding fire and rescue in Henley and we agree that the fire station must stay open. It is now absolutely clear that:
If Henley fire station stays we have a response time of eight minutes from Henley.
If the Henley station goes then the response becomes 15 to 18 minutes from Caversham or Wallingford.
This order of response time is unacceptable, especially when the target is 11 minutes.
Finally, a huge thanks to our brave Henley full time and volunteer firefighters. — Yours faithfully,
County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak
Henley

The campaign continues
Sir, — We would like to thank the approximate 200 residents of Henley and surrounds who attended the Christ Church last week to hear the thinking behind the Oxfordshire chief fire officer’s reasons for proposing to close Henley fire station.
Our MP, our two local county councillors, the Mayor of Henley, a representative of the Firefighters Union and our Henley firefighters spoke eloquently in support of the Henley facility.
Questions from attendees were pointed, well-chosen and politely posed. Both the content and the methodology of the consultation were criticised.
The content in that the data was too generic and did not address essential details of the Henley situation. The methodology including that publicity about it was too thin and notice short. (The consultation was due to close on Tuesday but has subsequently been extended to January 31).
Rob MacDougall, the chief fire officer, can have been in no doubt about the feelings of Henley residents and while this meeting was not a part of the consultation process it is hoped that attendees will have followed up by posting their thoughts to the online survey.
To lose our valuable and necessary fire station would, without doubt, lead to longer response times to incidents of accident and fire in Henley, bringing about a greater risk to property and the lives of both residents and firefighters.
Our MP, county councillors and Mayor will be following developments closely. We have no doubt that they will seek our support as and when necessary. The campaign continues. We now await the outcome following the consultation process. — Yours faithfully,
Geoff Luckett (chairman) and Julian Brookes
(vice-chairman)
The Henley Society

Unfair parking fines issued
Sir, — I received two separate parking charge notices demanding payment for alleged infringement of the parking terms and conditions at the St Martin’s precinct car park in Caversham in December. I refused to pay on each occasion and these charges were subsequently withdrawn and cancelled.
On the first occasion it was claimed that I had parked my car at 10am and left the car park at 5pm the same day when, in actual fact, while I did park the car at the time stated for my first visit and departed at the time stated following my second visit, I attended a conference in Reading town centre in between both car park visits. I was able to prove this was the case.
The second parking charge was even more ludicrous since it was claimed I parked my car at 11am one morning and collected my car at 9am the following morning.
I suffer from a mobility problem that restricts me to walking only short distances without a rest.
I live about half a mile from the car park, off Peppard Road, Caversham. It was being claimed I parked my car at the time stated, walked home up a hill and walked back down the following morning to the car park.
Neither Waitrose or Iceland will appreciate this publicity but they should be asked what percentage of parking charges are returned to them when these charges are paid by any unsuspecting car park user who is also their customer.
One final note: There is no publicly available evidence that the parking company has brought a single Caversham-related case to the Reading County Court in the past 12 months. — Yours faithfully,
Frank Neale
Picton Way, Caversham

Potholes are out of control
Sir, — It is with continued frustration that I write this letter. As a car owner, I am dismayed at the condition of the road surfaces in Henley.
It is about time Oxfordshire County Council got their finger out and sorted this ongoing problem.
There have been numerous roadworks on the roundabout at Northfield End, yet the surface for the roundabout is shocking and is getting worse by the day.
Car wheels and tyres are expensive and, no doubt, the council does not want claims for damage caused so please do something about this issue as it’s getting out of control. — Yours faithfully,
W Dowling
Swiss Farm, Henley

More needs to be done
Editor, — There are several potholes around the roundabout above Waitrose in King’s Road and the corner of Mount View in Henley.
I reported this to Fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk and am delighted that they have fixed three of them — not very neatly (cut rectangles might have been better). It is a pity that they did not repair the three or so smaller holes which will become big ones soon.
Henley has numerous potholes. For example, Greys road near Reading Road, each entrance to the Greys car park, Northfield End roundabout and the B481 above Gravel Hill next to Friar Park.
I am grateful to Fixmystreet for their responses but I wish Oxfordshire Council would give them more resources. If we want to remain proud of towns like Henley, pothole repair should be a priority. — Yours faithfully,
Keith MacInnes
Henley

Road surface upgraded
Sir, — It was lovely to see the Lib-Dems in their “Focus flyer” for January congratulating themselves on their increased investment in highways maintenance.
The front page photo showing the old and inset the newly resurfaced Reading Road in Henley said “Reading Rd (A4156) is now looking great after the work”.
So great in fact that it has been upgraded from the A4155 to the A4156. — Yours faithfully,
David Gealy
Shiplake

Inspiring use of museum
Editor, — Spring is coming and, if Emma Linaker has her way, the shoots of renewal will be appearing at the site of the former River & Rowing Museum in Henley (Standard, January 16).
The very full article by Isabel Thompson setting out the proposals is both inspiring and far reaching. They included making the buildings a community space for sport, families, and education.
I am sure that the good people of Henley and district will give the project the support it deserves. — Yours faithfully,
Douglas Wright
Caversham

Making life more difficult
Sir, — Seriously? Booking online to take our rubbish to the tip at Oakley Wood? What genius came up with that?
Many of us already have had to pay a fee to collect large items we are unable to take ourselves but now we have to book to drop off any extra rubbish, garden clippings or stuff that may have gathered because of an event or seasonal celebration like Christmas?
And if anyone wants to do this after a good day of garden tidying, how do we guarantee the weather will be good in advance to do the job, let alone decide if we need to book a trip to the tip?
“Dear Lord above, let me book three days of good, dry, sunny weather next week so that I can do my gardening and be able book a trip to the tip in advance. Many thanks”.
Incidents of fly-tipping are reportedly growing. I wonder why? Is this new method going to help? I keep returning to the one question — why do we have a system that insists on making everyday living harder and harder under the cloak of improvement? How have our day to day lives improved in the last decade? Meanwhile, I was pleasantly intrigued to read of two positive developments for our immediate area.
The proposal for the former River & Rowing Museum to become a social hub and community space and that Aldi might consider building and opening a store on the Jewsons site.
I am all for these ideas. Both, given the chance and support, would be beneficial to the Henley community, although both do present a problem — traffic and parking.
Both would have some space for cars available but, as we have previously found out with the Townlands Memorial Hospital, these will fill up quickly and not with those utilising the service attached.
Aldi (and Lidl) in Europe has for some time utilised a shop exit strategy via the scanning of a one time barcode on the till receipt. The River & Rowing Museum had a similar token system for patron parking.
These strategies ought to be implemented at both proposed sites. Then there is the traffic increase within the town itself. Despite constant articles, letters and pleading, the management of traffic in and through Henley has never been addressed. Rather than leave it to fate this should finally be the time to redress this omission.
Take care of each other. — Yours faithfully,
Edward Sierpowski
Henley

Fond memories of island folk
Sir, — I have lived and worked as a sculptor in Shiplake for 55 years. My wife, the artist Janet McQueen Duncan, painted hundreds of watercolours of the Thames and surrounding landscape and, being born in Marlow, the river was woven into her life.
A number of her paintings featured the world under canvas — being the families who yearly spent their summers on Shiplake Lock Island.
From the river bank, the island was filled with families, children in and on the water and wonderful smells of real outdoor summer kitchens.
The giant tents reminded me of those used by the explorers and latter-day adventurers.
The campsite was an enormous asset, not only for the families but also to the many friendships made with local Shiplake people.
The site, now abandoned, has been left to deteriorate by time and now manifests itself as a health hazard.
In my day, the Thames Conservancy took real pride in the Thames from its origins to Teddington (Tide End Town). Some of that care and attention rubbed off on the National Rivers Authority but the Environment Agency is an entirely different story! — Yours faithfully,
Clive Duncan

Shiplake

Be kind and make difference
Editor, — I don’t know if you can publish this in your letters page, it’s something I have written.
Winter has its own quiet beauty. The trees are resting, soon to awaken again, and there is a soft, magical light that seems to wrap around us at this time of year.
Wrapped in our coats, hats and gloves, even a simple walk can feel special as we smile and say hello to those we pass. Yet, not everyone experiences winter in the same way.
For some, these darker, colder days can bring loneliness and isolation that we may not always see, even in those we know well. There are three simple words that carry great power and are not spoken often enough: “How are you?”
Those words, asked with care and followed by a willingness to listen, can mean more than we realise. They can reach someone who is quietly struggling, even when everything on the surface seems fine.
As we watch the beauty of winter sunsets, perhaps we can all take a little time to ask each other, “How are you?” and truly listen to the answer.
Small acts of kindness can make a very big difference and help create a kinder, more connected world. — Yours faithfully,
Bianca Winship
Caversham

Tribute found close to home
Sir, — One of the most eagerly anticipated exhibitions of 2026 is that of the Bayeux Tapestry, which is crossing the Channel, after nearly 1,000 years, to the British Museum.
However, we are lucky as we don’t have to travel to London to see it as Reading Museum holds, among its other interesting collections, a complete replica, all 70ft of it and accurate to every thread and stitch.
It was made by a group of Victorian embroiderers living in the Midlands and is complete in every detail, apart from a few naughty appendages, which I’m sure caused some giggles among the dedicated ladies.
It is believed that the original was created by English women, so Reading’s masterpiece is a wonderful tribute to English needle women. — Yours faithfully,
Kaye McArthur
Victoria Court, Henley

Grateful for all your help
Sir, — I had the misfortune to fall quite heavily at the top of New Street on Wednesday last week.
Within seconds, two gentlemen who were behind me were at my side making sure that nothing appeared to be broken and that I didn’t attempt to get up until I had got my breath back. Meanwhile, some staff from Savills, who had seen the incident, came across the road to invite me into their offices where I was given first aid, a cup of tea and then driven to Townlands where I also received excellent service.
It is all too easy to complain about “Broken Britain” but Henley should be proud that we still have people living and working here who provide assistance to someone in difficulty without a second thought. My thanks go to all who helped. — Yours faithfully,

Michael Porter
Laureate Gardens, Henley

Thank you to Hart Surgery
Sir, — At a time when we are constantly reading about our failing NHS I just wanted to give a “shout out” for the Hart Surgery here in Henley.
I had a dermatology concern and so I contacted the surgery via its online triage system and included a photo of the skin area of concern at 10am.
At 11.30am on the same morning last week the surgery phoned me and offered me an appointment at 3.15pm that afternoon with the former head of the practice, Dr Philip Unwin. The issue was dealt with and I was reassured that it was just a cyst and liquid nitrogen was applied there and then.
Hooray to the Hart Surgery — well done for your great service.
In my experience, if you are prepared to be flexible and see any doctor available, the surgery’s triage system really does work. — Yours faithfully,
David Doodson
Satisfied patient, Middle Assendon