Lynn News letters: Coronation Medal, Boris Johnson/coalitions, Bishop of King's Lynn and library feature

If Derek brings Veterans UK on to his computer screen and clicks onto “Medals and Badges” by following the links he will be able to download an application form to claim his gong through them. If that doesn’t work, the alternative is to purchase one from Worcester Medals who are the official suppliers of HM Forces medals. They will also engrave his service details around the rim of the medal.

When serving, administration hiccups do occur, pre-computer service records were only as accurate as the admin clerk annotating them. In 1966/67 I did a one-year tour of duty in Singapore, according to my service records I was in Borneo for that year.

I hope that Derek is successful. When those of us who served reach veteran status we have a lot of pride in wearing our medals on various reunions and remembrance parades, these awards showing where we served on campaign service plus medals for long service and Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee awards to HM Forces.

Alan Mudge,

Pentney

POLITICS

We need a coalition

I have just read your piece in the Lynn News about Her Majesty’s Service. It is refreshing to be able to party legally to celebrate her selfless service and integrity.

This is in stark contrast to Boris who is outstaying his welcome, as are the Conservatives who have not stood up for common decency.

We need a working coalition to find a way forward, and hopefully an inspirational leader will come forward who will get us through the current mess. Please do not delay the inevitable.

Robert Gardner,

South Wootton

How did our MP vote?

I am writing to ask how our MP voted in the recent no confidence vote against Boris Johnson. His behaviour has been appalling and James Wild’s vote in this matter is very important as there were two public polls taking place hosted online locally. Both of those showed clearly that James constituents wanted him to vote against Johnson’s continued leadership. I am hoping James hasn’t chosen to ignore our voices and vote for his perceived own self interests.

While the vote was private I understand in the past James has supported the Prime Minister.

It would be a refreshing change if our local MP started voting in their constituents best interests and not just following the Tory Party whip which very often can be seen to be harmful to the people who voted for him.

I feel his voice is that only of Westminster and not of our local community.

We desperately need someone who can be our voice and has our best interests at the forefront of their mind.

I just hope that through the last 12 years people are slowly starting to realise that the present Government do not seem to care about us but seem only to care about their own careers.

You can see how James has voted throughout his career as a politician online, I would encourage everyone to look and ask if his voting record is something that reflects their values. This would help to form a balanced view in light of his ongoing and unquestioned opinion piece in the local news.

Verity Connolly,

Lynn

BISHOP

Rt Rev not Venerable

I have read with great interest the piece by your excellent Lynn News’ roving reporter and Friday columnist Jenny Beake about the new Jubilee Garden at the Lynn Night Shelter being blessed by our Bishop of Lynn the Rt Rev. Dr Jane Steen.

Our bishop’s correct title having been given by Jenny in her article. Unfortunately the caption on the photograph gave her title as “The Venerable”. This title for her was correct when she was Archdeacon of Southwark, in South London, but not now as she is the Bishop of Lynn, assisting the diocesan Bishop of Norwich. Her correct title is “Rt Rev” as Jenny correctly used. I’m sure Bishop Jane isn’t at all bothered by this mistake, but as she’s our bishop, the first woman to hold this post in the diocese, I feel her correct title is essential.

George Wood,

Low Road, Congham

LIBRARY

Meeting was a shambles

The critical meeting by the regeneration and development panel held in Lynn on Monday evening was an eye opener. On the very positive side, proceedings were published on Youtube, which in the past has not been permitted on Town Fund projects.

I encourage those with an interest in local politics (both of you) to make a nice mug of tea and enjoy the shambles, starting with the Soviet-style appointment of a vice chair. It gets worse.

One thing I would like to point out.

With the exception of the chair, whose main function seemed to be to try to stifle debate, the only other Tory to speak was the vice-chair, who pointed out the technical problems of repurposing a concrete framed building.

Remember, in May 2023 you will have the chance to kick this shower out. I’m not saying vote for an idiot like me, but look at the options and consider who will be best for West Norfolk in your ward.

Tom Ryves,

Independent borough councillor, Methwold

Borough are being naive

I have asked about the future of Carnegie Library building on Monday at the regeneration and development panel at the borough, if the Library were moved out to the MUCH (Multi-Use Community Hub).

Graham Middleton said that Norfolk County Council would let the Carnegie Library in Millfleet stay a community asset under local control - but is the borough being naïve?

County policy on the commercial disposing of surplus assets went to the county’s cabinet this week – the policy is to sell off commercial on the open market or the highest bidder, or lease at open market rents, for enhanced income for the council. No-one at the R&D could say if any community group has come forward to run the Carnegie Library, let alone able to afford the rent. So I have written to the head of law at the county council to see this agreement with the borough to keep the Carnegie Library for community use.

Look what happened to the educational asset Holt Hall. County sold it off to the highest bidder and it won’t now be available to the public at all. Lynn needs clarity.

The MUCH project is a big white elephant with spiralling costs. The old Argos building has a smaller ground-floor footprint than the Carnegie, has an unsound structure and risks the loss to the town of a Grade-II heritage asset.

The report’s claims that it would bring 200,000 more people, as increased footfall in the town, are not realistic. But the borough now proposes to increase the budget in the Town’s Fund from 4.29m to 7.4m.

You couldn’t fit a library, commercial space, advice space, an educational centre, all the history collections in there.

It would make better sense to re-route the funding for the MUCH to the Guildhall project to bridge the £3 million funding shortfall for that, should the Heritage Lottery funding not materialise.

Alexandra Kemp,

Independent borough councillor, Clenchwarton and Lynn South

PLANTING

We care about these trees

During April contractors working for West Norfolk Council planted 6,000 whips (bare rooted trees) near Lynnsport and replanted 500 whips at King’s Reach, on the Fairstead Estate.

Some local residents have expressed concern that up to as many as 75 per cent of these trees have died.

Paul Kunes, portfolio holder for the environment was asked about these trees at the environment and community panel on Tuesday. Unfortunately he didn’t know about the question until 80 minutes before the meeting so had not had the time ‘to fly down there to look at the trees’.

He had looked at them with a tree specialist a couple of weeks’ ago and decided that the trees were late coming into leaf and most were OK.

He went on to say that environmentalists were “having a go at the bloody council and what we’ve done”. It’s possible to understand why he thinks this but the true explanation is that we care about the trees.

How can we not care when so much is at stake? People who care about the environment are desperate for urgent action to combat climate change.

If the right tree is planted at the right time in the right place we will all reap the benefits. I hope at King’s Reach and at Lynnsport the right trees are in the right places.

I fear that it is not the case.

Jenny Walker,

Station Road, Roydon