Veronica Goddard

…than to leave dogs locked in cars in this weather. They died. Any responsible dog owner is only too aware of how hot it gets in a car, even with the windows open; we all get over-heated as we travel in this spell of sunny weather.

To learn that  a Notts Police dog hander has left two German Shepherds in a car is very sad. Those dogs will have given unstinting love and obedience to their handler; maybe his act could be considered merely thoughtless, but I believe it is reckless in the extreme.

I am sure he is full of remorse, but it’s not enough to be caring in hindsight. He should have given more thought to his dogs. Very sad.

The European Commission has achieved the near-impossible - praise all round for putting wonky fruit and veg back on supermarket shelves.

Knobbly carrots will return to supermarket shelves on Wednesday

Producers, politicians and supermarkets were united in support of a decision banishing EU rules regulating the size and shape of 36 types of produce. Leading supermarkets welcomed the return of perfectly good but mis-shapen goods, from apricots and carrots to watermelons and courgettes.

For 20 years - at the request of the food industry - the EU set strict marketing standards ensuring only the finest-looking produce reaches the shops.

But to reduce red tape and bureaucracy - and make cheaper fruit and veg available as household bills rise - Eurocrats have lifted unnecessary restrictions from Wednesday. We all know that its not shape that dictates quality - it’s taste.

…opened its doors yesterday - deep joy for many, and anger and dismay for many more.

After over 20 years of free parking in what was the Co-oP car park, Morrisons have gone against history and have slapped a 2-hour limit on parking, with no return within 3 hours.

Many people who work in shops, offices, etc need to park all day and yesterday, had to park in  the all-day spaces on the High Street and roads adjacent. Members of organisations who use William Turner Hall had to park on the playing field because their meetings over-ran the 2hour limit. The vast majority of these people are not in competition with Morrisons.

I believe Morrisons have been very short-sighted in the implementation of this parking restriction; it’s not a good PR move. If the emails and personal calls I received yesterday are an indication, the feelings of local residents are running pretty high!

 …..They are an abomination according to English Heritage, who  yesterday threw its weight behind the Daily Mail’s campaign to stop the march of wheelie bins. The organisation - which manages some of Britain’s most important historic buildings - said the bins were an ‘abomination’ that blighted our streets.

Personally, I think they are far superior aesthetically than the old metal bins, rotting away with holes in them and I remember people having to wait an eternity for a replacement, when the only thing the old one was good for, was upturning over rhubarb crowns to force them into growth! The smells from the new ones are not as pungent either, as they have well-fitting lids.

……A scorching summer can be idyllic - the promise of unspoilt barbecues and trips to the seaside.

But when temperatures soar, health risks rise.

In August 2003, when temperatures hit 38C (101F) during a nine-day heatwave, the highest temperature recorded in the UK, there were 2,000 to 3,000 extra deaths in England.

 Climate change means that heatwaves are likely to become more common and this extra heat brings with it, the added risks for the elderly and those with under-lying health problems.

Check with your elderly neighbours, to see if they need any help, maybe with shopping, so they can avoid going out in the sun.

….took place last night at Bestwood Country Park and our own Barbara and Alan Eames, of Peafield Park and Hornby Plantation Friends Group, won the award for Senior Volunteers.  They are both septuagenarians and work very hard, planting and seeding native plants, weeding, picking litter, etc.

Photo shows Alan and Barbara receiving their award from Councillor Wendy Golland, vice-chair of Greenwood Partnership Board.

……..Tories plot to axe child and oap benefits (story from Mirror online)

A think-tank predicts David Cameron will scrap benefits such as child benefit and winter fuel payments, regardless of income, as part of a hard-line approach to public spending.

If this prediction is true, ‘Shame on you David Cameron’.

Are we to go back to the days of shoeless, hungry children and huge numbers of elderly dying from the cold? Perish the thought that the Tories will rule this country!

………Our ancestors wandered lost in the wilderness for 40 years because even in biblical times, men would not stop to ask for directions. (Elayne Boosler)

If you have lost your sense of direction, why not think about joining the Liberal Democrats. We know where we are going; we have an inbuilt compass that attracts us to righting the wrongs in the world.

Just click on the link to the left of this column , or simply give me a call.

….hospital patients should have access to prayers on their behalf. This issue will be discussed at the British Medical Association (BMA) annual representative meeting which begins tomorrow.

Cancer specialist Dr Bernadette Birtwhistle, of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said: “I think it is getting to the point where many of us feel we cannot talk to patients about their spiritual or religious needs or ask them about praying.”

She told the BBC news: “Christianity is being seen as something that is unhelpful. Freedom of speech is being curtailed too much and I don’t think that is always in the benefit of patients.”

Earlier this year it emerged that nurse Caroline Petrie was suspended by North Somerset NHS Trust after offering to pray for a patient, although she was later allowed to return to work.

Campaigners have complained that more staff may find themselves in trouble if their religious beliefs come into conflict with the guidelines set out in a document called Religion or Belief: A Practical Guide for the NHS.

The document states: “Members of some religions … are expected to preach and to try to convert other people. In a workplace environment this can cause many problems, as non-religious people and those from other religions or beliefs could feel harassed and intimidated by this behaviour.

“To avoid misunderstandings and complaints on this issue, it should be made clear to everyone from the first day of training and/or employment, and regularly restated, that such behaviour, notwithstanding religious beliefs, could be construed as harassment under the disciplinary and grievance procedures.”

A Department of Health spokesman said the document was a guide to encourage awareness for staff and patients.

I feel that there are some patients who surely would benefit from knowing that they are having prayers said for their well-being and the offer could be made in such a way as to be non-confrontational. A patient has the power to say ‘no thanks’ if they feel unable to accept prayer, so where’s the problem?

….have been put in place by MDC in a bid to put an end to drinking in inappropriate places, such as on residential streets. This drinking in the streets very often results in anti-social bahaviour and the intimidation of residents.

More than 700 “controlled drinking zones” have been set up by councils across England giving police sweeping powers to confiscate beer and wine from anyone enjoying a quiet afternoon tipple.

You can find out more at http://www.respect.gov.uk/members/article.aspx?id=7902