Your letters

Unsavoury characters

Sir, — Please can I bring to the attention of your readers the disturbing behaviour and prevalence of poachers and generally unsavoury types roaming about the beautiful countryside of South Oxfordshire.

In the latest incident on Monday night last week two off-road trucks were trawling through the lanes in and around Stonor and Maidensgrove — they have also been up in the Hambleden area, Skirmett and Turville Heath.

These people are instantly recognisable from their often scruffy vehicles and because some of the large off-road vans are noisy and very noticeable in the quietness of the late evening.

If people see big bright lights in the fields and woods late at night there is a very strong possibility that someone is up to no good in the area.

In the past few months there have been sheep killed — at least one by a dog — as well as deer and many, many pheasants, which have been knocked off their roosts by people using catapults and slingshots.

Some animals have even been run down and more often than not these poor animals are left where they are, dead or still alive but injured.

This absolutely heinous, cruel behaviour extends to their dogs, mainly lurchers and greyhounds, that are treated equally as appallingly. Several of their dogs have been dumped in recent months in the most heartless and cruel manner, injured or deemed past their shelf life.

As well their despicable treatment and attitude towards animals, there are thefts from farms that have been attributed to these hooligans.

They are damaging our animals and our livelihoods, our environment and our way of life with their rampant lawlessness and I would ask all people who live or work in the countryside to keep their eyes peeled for these types and to call the police and landowner if they see them. — Yours faithfully,

John H

Middle Assendon

Decision good for democracy

Sir, — Councillors decide. Officials advise. The vote in favour of refusing outline planning permission for
70 houses on the land owned by Reading Golf Club but within South Oxfordshire was close: five against four (Standard, December 12).

But the planning officer had recommended approval. She concluded that “this is a rare occasion where the adverse impacts of conflicting with a neighbourhood plan [the Kidmore End Neighbourhood Development Plan] are not likely to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits”.

The majority of the South Oxfordshire District Council planning committee exercised their decision-making judgment and disagreed with the planning officer. Their reasons were brief and, in my view, cogent.

Moreover, their judgment coincided not just with that of Kidmore End Parish Council but with the vast majority of those who made representations. “The proposed development for up to 70 new homes conflicts with the [Kidmore End Parish Council] development plan in that the scheme relates to a site that has not been allocated for development. The development will result in the enlargement of the neighbouring town of Reading into the South Oxfordshire countryside.” That was how the planning officer started her conclusions. That says it all.

A line has to be drawn and the boundary is the place to draw it. The majority of the district councillors saw it. Good for democracy — the right decision. — Yours faithfully,

John Swift KC

Chalkhouse Green

That’s what I call service

Sir, — No one wants to be hospitalised but one particular establishment gave me terrific treatment — all done with a friendly smile and a lot of humour.

After a fall at home, I was unable to get up for five hours. An ambulance arrived and two strong men had me on my feet in no time at all but they were concerned that I might have damaged my head.

I declined their kind offer to take me to hospital for a check-up but, a few hours later, I received a phone call from the rapid access care unit (RACU) at Townlands Memorial Hospital in Henley wanting to give me a full check-up to confirm no serious damage.

The RACU is a unit that helps elderly people after surgery or as back-up to GPs in the area. It is a revelation. I was met at Townlands main reception and taken to the RACU section. “Cup of tea or coffee?” Yes, please.

Then I was introduced to the nurse that would look after me during the full five hours of tests. Great. “Lunch?” Yes, please. A freshly made coronation chicken on brown. Excellent. For the rest of the day, it was invitations for more tea, coffee or water.

After the tests were concluded, the doctor came to speak to me and reviewed the reasons for the fall and focused on a bad shoulder as the priority. Helpful advice was given and appointments for ongoing treatment.

What service, what attention, what food. I am a big fan of the RACU and, if it is ever offered, grab it quick. — Yours faithfully,

Mike Harris

Stoke Row

Thank you for support

I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to Henley Choral Society and to everyone who filled St Mary’s Church on Saturday, December 13 for their generosity in raising more than £900 for the Bluebells Day Centre.

I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the occasion. How lovely it was to see the church so full of people, across all age groups, enjoying a traditional Christmas concert, one that seamlessly included modern favourites too, such as the songs from Frozen. How joyfully the children of the Henley Youth Choir sang about the happy snowman!

Henley Youth Choir is currently welcoming new members aged seven to 17, with no auditions required. Based on their performance at St Mary’s, any young person joining them will have a fantastic time. Details can be found at henleychoralsociety
.org.uk/youth-choirs

Joy is something we try to bring to our guests at the Bluebells Day Centre, based at Christ Church in Reading Road, where we support people living with dementia and their families.

We provide a safe, social, stimulating and fun day, allowing their relatives a few hours of respite, precious time to take care of life’s chores or just to rest and gather their own thoughts.

I very much appreciated the opportunity to spread awareness about Bluebells and the work that we do. Like many charities, we are always looking for new volunteers to help us care for, or even just entertain, our guests.

We also have spaces available at our Monday and Thursday sessions at the moment so if you or somebody you know is caring for someone living with dementia, please tell them about us.

To learn more about, or make a donation to, Bluebells Day Centre, please visit us at bluebellsdaycentre.org.uk — Yours faithfully,

Glen Lambert

Founder and chair, Bluebells Day Centre, Henley