RECENTLY while watching a documentary concerning the blitz during the Second World War, I heard the narrator make the comment that the Luftwaffe switched from attacking airfields to carpet bombing of our cities due to a change of policy by the Nazi high command.
The new intention was to decimate business premises and people's homes and also destroy the morale of the population. This would seriously affect the infrastructure of British day-to-day life with the probability of diminishing morale leading to an early surrender.
I rather think that Hitler and his cronies missed a simple method that could have achieved those targets with considerably less loss of life and expense.
Perhaps they should have decided to install a tram network throughout our cities which would have achieved those aims without the bloodshed.
Businesses destroyed – tick. Homes demolished – tick. Morale undermined – tick. It's all happening in Beeston at the moment.
It is interesting to note that Winston Churchill would of had to modify some of his famous speeches to facilitate the new change of direction.
Thus: "Never in the field of human construction has so much misery been bestowed on so many, for the benefit of so few." Or: "If Beeston and its parish should last for 1,000 years men will still look back and say that 'THIS WAS THEIR FOULEST HOUR'".
All a trifle melodramatic but this is how the majority of people whom have to endure this blight on their lives feel towards the tram. We did not, do not, or never will want it.
The added misery of our roads in Beeston becoming clogged with cars avoiding the workplace parking levy to pay for the tram is yet a further insult.
LES HARDY
Blenheim Drive
Chilwell
I READ today about the poverty of children. Last year I asked to my third daughter to take the admission exam for Nottingham High School. I talked with my daughter and she told me she doesn't want to go to the high school because of our household income.
I feel so sorry for the situation and I give thanks to God for my intelligent daughter. I have three other daughters and I dream of a bright future for them but fast-increasing university fees and other expenses are a burden.
We are working for a better future for our children – that's why we moved to the UK from Nepal in 2004.
Day to day household costs are increasing as transport, electricity, gas, council tax and food and household items increase the pressure on people. Stop benefits to those who do not want to work and don't want to pay the tax. Help only those who are need it.
TARA BHANDARI
Whitemoor
ONLY in the Vatican could the announcement of the election of one of the most powerful leaders in the world be made through a "£50" chimney, as shown regularly, on the BBC News in the last week.
No razzmatazz, no kazoos, marching bands, or hype. No speculation of any worth. Just a bit of smoke.
Unlike many governments they can keep decisions private until fully thought through, no leaks, no succumbing to media pressure.
Perhaps we should lock our politicians in Westminster for days, weeks or months until they actually get it right, final and unanimous… with no changes of heart when the knee-jerk panic becomes unpopular or unworkable. No smoke and mirrors?
SIMON WOODROFFE
Fulwood Close
Chilwell
WENT to see Dirty Dancing at the Theatre Royal on the opening night, thoroughly enjoyed it, very true to the story as in the film.
I was a bit dismayed by the number of, obviously not usual stage showgoers, tittering through most of the show.
Personally I could not fault it – the dancing, singing acting, scenery were brilliant – well done to them all!
MARION MATTHEWS
Deptford Crescent
Bulwell
THE other day on Twitter I followed with great interest a debate between Erik Petersen and Councillor Jon Collins regarding the amount of tax paid by major companies.
I think it's completely unfair for large organisations to take all the flak for allegedly not paying their taxes properly.
I propose that we ordinary folk show our support by also allegedly not paying the full amount of tax as well. Having made £4,000 in freelance work this year I suspect my rebellion will not be noted when I hand in my tax return of £4 but at least I can hold my head up high and say I supported these poor institutions being unfairly singled out.
JAMES WALKER
Literature Editor
LeftLion Magazine
PO Box 9683
Nottingham
WHAT a surprise it was to read in the Post that Rebecca Adlington, our very own National swimmer, is to retire.
But what a glittering career she has had at such a young age!
As you stated in the article, winning two bronze medals at the London Olympics last summer!
And what an achievement that was!
She has lots of tributes paid to her but I think the best was paid by Lord Coe who said she is a national treasure and that's just what she is, a local girl, from Mansfield, who through sheer hard work and hours of tireless training, made it to be a champion, and a world one at that!
So, we all wish you well Rebecca, well done for all you have achieved and wishing you lots of happy times in the future, we are all very proud of you!
IRENE HARDMAN
Church Street
Ruddington
Notts
WITH 1,700 applicants chasing eight café jobs ( Post, Tuesday February 19), there is a need for turning welfare to work into a national plan and have the nation working at maximum potential, especially with the Government spending some £200 billion on benefit payments, whereby 2.4 million job seekers receive the large chunk of the cash.
As the country's roadways are riddled with pot-holes and are in an advanced state of disrepair the Government should turn unemployment into a golden opportunity. Particularly as the majority of job seekers have skills and experience akin to the construction industry. Surely it would be beneficial to capitalise on their abilities for the public good.
Readers will be aware the Government is reducing welfare payments, and maybe cutting benefits would not be the priority once citizens could see a return for the money by getting all the fit, able job seekers employed repairing the infrastructure, which would include getting the canal systems operational, rivers dredged, and drainage dykes cleared.
Getting the waterways fully functional would help reduce flooding, and in times of shortage, water could be channelled to dry regions.
There is also an aesthetic value when water courses are not overgrown and stagnant. Such renovation would boost tourism pro rata.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s there were regional schemes where the unemployed could volunteer to work on restoration projects in their area and receive an extra £15 a week for doing so.
Sadly the idea failed as it was deemed a cheap labour initiative. The situation is very different today, as the nation is on its uppers and the recession is set to continue for several years, so with the appropriate public relations rhetoric participants will see the tremendous advantages.
Such a national plan will help unite communities as citizens will have a universal aim to get thoroughfares in pristine order and hopefully then people will begin taking pride in their environment.
NIGEL J STARBUCK
Carnarvon Close
Bingham