Your Letters
To the EditorI would like to say thank you to the readers of the Newsletter for their contribution to this year’s Christian Aid collection – the amounts donated, no matter how small, make a huge difference to the work of Christian Aid and its partner organisations.
Another big thank you must go to the generous folks who give their time and effort to be collectors. Without such volunteers this collection could not happen and vital funds would not be raised. As an area co-ordinator I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of volunteers who are willing to find time in their busy lives to take on this responsible and challenging role especially in a climate of recession.
If you did not receive an envelope and would like to donate then you can still give to the collection at http://www.caweek.org/donate or perhaps you could make sure your area receives envelopes next year by volunteering to be a collector. I would be thrilled to hear from you (rarolfe@hotmail.com 837557).
Rachel Rolfe
Swan Bottom
To the EditorMy annual plea for cat owners to keep their cats in at night so that parent birds can feed their young unmolested. After a dark night the parents are frantic and exhausted satisfying their young and may be off guard and easy prey for cats.
Our songbird population is threatened by many predators, squirrels, glis glis, and, beautiful as they are, woodpeckers that are well known for stealing eggs and fledglings.
Liz Stewart-Liberty
The Lee
To the Editor
I write to correct a statement in the last Newsletter, attributed to my granddaughter Erica.
It would seem that she is under the impression that her mother was not allowed any freedom in her youth. Au contraire, she was once brought home by a policeman who had apprehended her and two friends on the main road to Wendover, about to investigate the railway line! As for the alleged T.V. that she was not allowed to watch, that must be when Sesame Street was abruptly turned off in order that the present Chairman of The Lee Cricket Club could watch the Test Match. We had to find another T.V. very smartly to settle that!
I would not like to be bracketed with the Evil (Step)mother. Our ‘Puritan’ lifestyle was far from dull!
Joyce Swain
Swan Bottom
To the Editor
To the Editor
I am amazed at Liz Stewart-Liberty’s response to the article 1066 and all that (April Newsletter); her “dismay and unbelief” does seem a bit strong. Based entirely on information that was already publicly available, we wrote what we thought was an interesting piece on local history and archaeology that the youngsters and probably some of the adults in this village would like to know about. Too many youngsters are not interested in history because they have not had close contact with their surroundings, historic buildings and artefacts to stimulate their interest. History must not be hidden or locked away, but passed on.
As to her statement labelling the locals in this parish (the main group who read this Newsletter) as wreckers and fly tippers, I suggest that it is not they that do the damage that she mentions in her article but outsiders, who do not read our Newsletter. Indeed it is the families who live in this parish who in fact are largely responsible for the upkeep and protection of the woods and areas of beauty.
I am a very strong advocate of the protection of our ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, regularly collect/pick-up litter on my daily walks and do not want to see any damage to our National Heritage Monuments. However, these archaeological sites should not be kept secret, but should be shared for the enjoyment and enlightenment of future generations. (Taking it to the extreme, supposing we were kept from seeing the Pyramids, or places like Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China… or The Lee Old Church)! I would not and have not publicised this generally, but kept it for local interest only.
On behalf of Colin Sully and myself, I sincerely apologize to Mrs Stewart-Liberty for not informing her of our article in advance. However, I still consider it important that the youngsters (and those not so young) of The Lee know about their local history.
Colin Campbell
The Lee
‘Flipping’ CouncillorsTo the Editor
Is it true that The Lee councillors are claiming expenses for second homes on the grounds that their first is too far from the Parish Hall? (Some Parish Councillors apparently live as far away as Sly Corner and The-Lee Green.)
I hear that expenses claimed for second homes have included a full-time gardener, a re-surfaced tennis court, a new cricket pavilion, cat food and a year’s supply of nappies.
The Clerk to the Council is now rumoured to be looking for a space near the Parish Hall to park a mobile home, as housing the Councillors in this during all-night sessions may work out cheaper in the long run than the current arrangements.
You couldn’t make it up if you tried!
Con Stituent
Swan Bottom
(Name and address supplied)
To the Editor
Reina - I'm devastated!
Chris Ruttle
The Lee
Ed: Good to see our competitive farmers have time to read the Newsletter at this busy time of year.
To the Editor
I feel strongly inclined to give my opinion about the recent letters about the village shop versus the St John the Baptist Church.
I do not agree that the Village Shop is now Church. People do not kneel there to say their prayers or sing hymns although it is quite possible that God may be found there. Belief can have many meanings although linked with faith it has a different meaning. I think Richard Stewart-Liberty’s letter makes us all think and that is a very good thing indeed.
However those who regularly go to Church and profess to be Christians are under a different dispensation than all those who are not Christians. As a matter of fact going to church does not always mean that you are a Christian.
Yet from a church-going point of view there is definitely room for improvement. I do not agree, however well meaning as it may be, that a cup of coffee with a biscuit after the Service creates a strong sense of fellowship and concern for others. I believe this only happens in small bible study and prayer fellowships.
I also believe Christians should not be ‘inwardly comfortable’ but a concerned outward-going people demonstrating in their often clumsy, yet sincere way how God supports them. I have met the most wonderful generous people who hardly ever cross the Church threshold. Now that very often makes me think. So what can we do? It is to meet each other halfway with respect, patience and love.
Reina Free
Kings Ash