Pride in Portishead

ON WHAT was probably one of the coldest days of the year last Sunday we were walking through Waitrose car park and noticed a man in a high viz jacket picking litter, on the back of his jacket the words ‘Pride in Portishead’.

We just had to stop and thank him. He told us about the volunteer litter pickers and the satisfaction he got out of helping to keep our town neat and tidy.

When you think about it without people like him (his name is Sandy by the way) the RNLI would cease to be, our hospices wouldn’t exist, many more would have died from cancer and Clevedon Pier would still be at the bottom of the Bristol Channel.

So, the next time you see Sandy, or one of his volunteer group, please give them a pat on the back as a thank you. They do deserve it.

JEFF AND DIANE REDSHAW

Camomile Walk, Portishead

Emergency food

I SEE from the front page of your paper dated February 20 that churchgoers in Nailsea have raised a ‘staggering’ £229,000 in just two weeks to complete their church building project.

According to the Christian Aid website, just £21 could provide emergency food for a starving family in West Africa for a month.

So the money raised for yet another church building in this affluent land could feed nearly 11,000 families for a month, or over 900 families for a whole year.

I know where I would rather this ‘Christian’ charity went, and it’s not into a new building....

HILARY POWER

Karen Drive, Backwell

Parking regulations

JUST when are the police going to do their job and enforce parking regulations in Clevedon and the neighbouring towns?

The parking irregularities that motorists are allowed to get away with are staggering.

It’s nothing to be in the Triangle area of Clevedon and in the surrounding roads to see the law being flouted, parking on the pavements to the detriment of pedestrians, on pedestrian crossing zig zag lines, on bus stops, on single lines during the day, on double yellow lines at all times and within the restricted distance at corners.

I understand that Inspector Moss doesn’t rate parking issues at all highly but by suggesting that officers do nothing he is, in fact, condoning law breaking which I am sure was not part of his oath of allegiance at the time he became a police officer.

Law breaking is just that and the law should be enforced at all times no matter the offence.

It is often said that the police have a lack of manpower to deal with the issues and that Government cuts are to blame but I do not understand this as we were getting no better a service before the cuts than we are now.

What we need is a more visible police presence in the town, these parking offences would then not occur.

JENNIFER PARSONS

Parnell Road, Clevedon

Not surprised

I READ with interest on February 13 that North Somerset Council said it is “becoming harder and harder to cut the authority’s spending ahead of the forthcoming budget announcement.”

I am not surprised, I can see a saving straightaway, if it is still going ahead to print the North Somerset Life magazine at the cost of £247,524.

That money could be better spent on refurbishing some of the public conveniences in the area before handing them over to the Parish Councils.

In a recession you have to look at every way possible to save money, ask any housewife at the moment trying to bring up a family on reduced funds. You have to look at every penny not every pound.

And just a thought, when the public conveniences are handed over to the parish councils how about 10p slots on the doors, nothing is for free these days, water to flush toilets and hand basins, electricity for hand dryers and lighting, toilet rolls, soap and the cleaner’s salary. There may be money over for an attendant on a part time basis.

Surely it would be better than what we have at the moment in Portishead, a lovely town and, worst than third world, one public convenience.

SHIRLEY COOK

Drakes Way, Portishead

Do their bit

INSTEAD of harping on about litter – picking a small amount up where you live or work would be a good idea!

“I didn’t put it there” is a futile excuse. Items do get away from dustcarts, etc, but you can help to make Portishead clean and tidy. Gloves can be worn to keep us germ and yuck free.

Everyone can do their bit.

CARYLL BRAND

Sheepway, Portbury

Bird bath

I WOULD be grateful if you could correct some misinformation in the third paragraph of your recent article entitled ‘Bird bath back near old home’.

With reference to the demolition of the old rectory in 1968, this necessary event had no effect on the fate of this stone column, which was at some distance from the house. In fact it was kept in its same position by the then rector, Roger Fry. I presume that it remained there until the rectory and its garden were sadly sold for redevelopment in recent times. And I believe that Bishop Sainsbury also moved to Portishead only in recent times.

Since Roger Fry successfully saved much of the garden in 1968 from being sold off by the Church Commissioners, it is unfortunate to suggest that this interesting item (or anything else) needed to be removed at that time ‘for safe keeping’.

MALCOLM DRUMMOND

Edgar Street, Worcester

Balloon

I WAS wondering if you could ask your readers to keep a look out for a school weather balloon which landed in the sea just off Clevedon on Tuesday.

The balloon was launched as a school project to capture images of the earth from high altitude.

It consists of a polystyrene box covered in gold foil with a white parachute attached to the top.

The box contains two cameras and a GPS phone so we were able to track it.

The parachute should also have remnants of balloon attached to it. The box has a label stating my email and phone number on it. The balloon was launched from a school in Pontypridd, South Wales, and was tracked until it splashed down in Clevedon on Tuesday afternoon.

A reward will be offered to anyone who returns the box and parachute.

Your help will be much appreciated as there are a lot of disappointed pupils here at the moment.

RHODRI THOMAS

Physics teacher, Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg, Pontypridd, 07894 322025

Obstruction

THE bollard on the corner of Slade Road and its incursion into the road must be removed before there is a collision with same, which could cause injury, even death if the vehicle hitting the obstruction swerves into the other lane; and it is an obstruction, serving no useful purpose and presenting a hazard.

Usually any deviations or changes are to make situations safer not the opposite. Why was it put there in the first place? It is poorly lit with no fluorescent paint, nothing to warn unwary or strangers to the danger. The section of road from the mini roundabout, the immediate pedestrian crossing; parked cars allowed to park on the left, a bus stop, all narrowing the road!

Traffic backs up Avon Way past Slade Road when a bus is stationary on the left – that section of road is one of the worst examples of road planning.

A good solicitor would have no problem in finding North Somerset highway authority guilty of creating a hazard if someone took them to court.

The only safe way to turn right on leaving Harbourside Marina Health Centre is turn left, go round the roundabout and back to the town. There is no visibility to the left because of parked cars and now cars are parked on the right.

Harbour Road is too narrow and carries far too much traffic, including many large delivery vehicles, to allow any parking along its length. More and more vehicles are being driven and attempting to park as Portishead’s population increases. Parking spaces should be provided on site for all new business or planning permission should be refused.

Where are staff and customers going to park and cross safely on a blind bend when Tesco Express opens from 6am-11pm seven days a week at an already hazardous junction? Highway planners have lost the plot in respect of any places for increased population.

SANDRA GREEN

The Downs, Portishead