Your views on solar power in West Norfolk, Downham Market’s new Lidl and need to cut number of councillors in Burnham Market
Here are the letters to the Lynn News from Friday, November 29, 2024…
Letter was a real affront to what we do
I'd like to point out the power of the spoken word to Cllr Tom Ryves.
There are 13 companies locally that are accredited to install solar systems to people’s houses and businesses in West Norfolk.
My own company, The Solar Shed Ltd, has been established since 2008.
To hear a local councillor, through the letters page, tell residents that what we do is a scam, or a con - in his words, not mine - is not only a real affront to what we do, but also outrageously wrong.
How dare you accuse me and others who are out there combating climate change where it matters, on people's roofs and gardens of scamming people, or conning them.
Is Cllr Ryves telling the 1,000 local homes I have helped decarbonise, that they have been lied to, conned or scammed?
Personally, I use 7000kwh of energy a year and have no subsidies attached to my system, I do not claim for anything exported and my bills for the year are around £300 due to the smart technology I have had installed. Am I lying, councillor?
With the planet at 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial levels and many parts of the world on fire or under water, people all over the world are embracing solar energy and other renewables, the stuff we do not have to burn, to power their lives.
To hear the disgusting comments by a councillor who represents the local people is both dangerous to local businesses, who employ over 100 local people between them and backwards in thinking.
On top of that, the councillor does nothing to further the council's net zero ambition.
Cllr Ryves's backward thinking will do nothing to benefit local people and I'll be reminding them of that at the next election.
Kevin Holland - Founder of the Solar Nation Assured Installer Network
Magdalen
I agree with councillor on solar power
Cllr Tom Ryves is absolutely right to think solar power is a massive con, it will further enrich the already rich, whilst being paid for by the poor.
If these panels are so effective and necessary, why is every new house not being built with them on the roof and, why are the acres of this space on commercial and supermarket buildings not being utilised as well?
If the roofs of these structures are not able to take the weight of solar panels, then it cannot be beyond the wit of man to put them in the car parks of these buildings.
There is absolutely no need to take any land that needs to be used for growing food or the rearing of animals to feed us.
Am I alone in feeling there is a link between the green zealots led by Ed Minibrain wanting to make this land grab, and the proposed legislation that will force farmers to sell their land to pay the iniquitous inheritance tax (IHT)?
It would appear that the amount the government expects to raise will just about cover the Farm Aid being sent abroad, despite our own farmers’ suffering.
Furthermore, will the planned Assisted Dying (suicide) Bill open the way for older farmers to 'make way' for the next generation to take over before the IHT comes into force?
That is of course if they haven't already died from cold after losing their heating allowance.
José O'Ware
Methwold
Damage to village life is colossal
What a crushing indictment of the collapse of our rural communities along the North Norfolk coast when a parish council (in this case Burnham Market) seeks to reduce its cohort of parish councillors because they can't find enough locals or official 'full time' residents to fill the vacancies.
Earlier we heard similar stories from other parish councils in the prosecco ghetto and more recently we were told of Brancaster Primary School's likely demise as no new babies were being born in the village thanks to a preponderance of rich folk who merely use the village as the second home weekend retreat.
The colossal damage to normal village life and the breakdown of the cohesion in our rural communities is now beginning to reveal itself and frankly the doubling of council tax is too little too late.
Locals who remain in these villages are tempted to sell up by the stupidly high prices incomers will pay for their little cottages and sadly young couples who might want to buy a house and work in their village will find the barristers and hedge fund managers have much deeper pockets.
Looking on the bright side at least the locals can find work waiting at tables, cleaning their posh cars, hoovering bijou weekend cottages, and weeding designer gardens.
A trip to the coast now always makes me feel like a stranger in my own county and while it's still a free country and individuals have a right to buy as many houses as they like wherever they want it is clear the locals aren't so 'free' and find themselves driven out of their communities and forced inland where ordinary folk in their cheaper houses can afford to live.
Change is desperately needed to bring these villages back to life... who's brave enough to stand up to this colonisation by outsiders who simply take what they want and care nothing for what they're doing to the villages they've infested?
Steve Mackinder
Denver
New town shop is long-awaited and needed
I am writing to say I cannot wait for the new Lidl to open!
I usually drive all the way to Thetford to do my monthly shop, but with the new store just down the road from me (I live in Barton Bendish, so about 10 minutes away!) it will be so handy.
Lidl's produce is great, good value for money and with the bargain sections in the middle aisles, what more could Downham Market want?
Tesco has had the monopoly on shopping in Downham Market for so long, it will give them some competition, and a much-needed discount store for those in the area who just cannot afford the other supermarkets’ prices.
Long-awaited, and much needed!
Becci Matthews
Barton Bendish
Protect your postie with free webinar
Christmas is just around the corner and many of us are looking forward to receiving cards and deliveries of gifts.
With a rise in dog attacks on postal and delivery workers, Blue Cross is urging dog owners with concerns about their pet when the doorbell goes or the letterbox clatters to sign up to their free ‘Protecting your Postie’ webinar which is being held at 6pm on Monday 16 December.
The free course takes place on Zoom and lasts for about an hour.
It will explain why dogs act in a certain way when postal workers arrive and the consequences for owners if any incidents occur.
It will also deliver measures to help manage a dog’s behaviour and where further help can be found.
Protect your postie and sign up on the charity’s website today.
Chris Packham
Blue Cross education ambassador
