WESTERN MORNING NEWS

Native songbirds under threat

Western Morning News

SENIOR Westcountry Conservative Oliver Letwin claimed more than £2,000 in public money to replace a leaking pipe under the tennis court at his constituency home, it emerged last night.

The taxpayer also picked up the tab for regular services to his Aga cooker. . . Cond.

Editor; . . It is with some amusement that I have been monitoring posts on this forum. I feel compelled to respond on behalf of my fellow peers and those who contribute so much to this nation and host to mother of all parliaments. . There appears to be a lack of comprehension among readers of the WMN of the gargantuan effort expended by the Peers; and also to some degree, those in the Lower House; in order to maintain civilised existence within these shores.

It is necessary to have a ruling class in order to maintain civil stability, a concept, I’m sure you will all agree, has kept these fair isles free of civil war for almost half a millennium.
In return, all we require are the usual and necessary trappings of wealth. I, for example, have a 5,000 acre estate (I’m not telling you where) whose upkeep is extremely demanding on the annual budget. Gamekeepers, gardeners, manicurists and whicker bottom chair repairers don’t come cheap these days. Nor do swimming pool maintenance engineers.
It’s all very well for you in your terraced house in Camborne; you don’t have anything like my outgoings. . So, before you are so judgmental, spare a thought for me and Lady Philippa. We have bills to pay, too!

Sir Henry Pilkington Bonkton Planck, Devon

Sir Henry, why don’t you study our real history before you make silly comments about the well to do.Try and tell us when democracy started in this one party (with three different names) state.

a g rawlings, truro

In answer to your question Mr FWK (by the way, how did you get such as strange form of address?) I think it was about a quarter past three on January 29 1942. Philippa and I were seated in the drawing room of our vast pile in (sorry, can’t tell you - you almost had me, there) and Pennington, our butler announced he was heading off to France in something called a Spitfire. . We wondered, at the time, if he’d gone mad, then we heard that something called the War had ended (some time after this occasion).
As far as I can tell, democracy began at a quarter to four, when we heard many people from all classes had ‘copped it’, so to speak. . Not a pleasant time, as I remember. But we did have a spiffing wild boar roasted that evening.

Sir Henry Pilkington Bonkton Planck, Devon

Editor I think all MPs, but particularly New-Labour and Liberal-Democrats, should now be allowed free counselling. . And a few Tory Grandees may also need marriage guidance. . . Clearly we must now all vote UKIP on June 4th. . . And If we can really expose the EU gravy train, it may even leave us all feeling really sorry for OUR humble MPs after the next General election.

And Sir Henry; I think it was AG not FWK. . It’s still a bit early for the claret old chap don’t you think?. . . How do you think some of the 2005’s are shaping up?

Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire

AG or FWK, it’s all the same to me, Charlie boy.

Just tucking into a nice Chateau Latour 1953; very splendid nose and a finish like none other.

Are you a champion of the grape?

PBP (bt. humdinger and scar).

Sir Henry Pilkington Bonkton Planck, Devon

I am partial to an odd case or two from the Left Bank Harry. . I’ve got some 1996 Chateau Pichon Baron drinking quite beautifully now. . There are a few snips turning up with some of these city slickers feeling the pinch now. . Mind you it would have been wasted on most of them anyway.

Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire

I understand some of the blighters were even into the formaldehyde towards the end. Serves ‘em right. Tried to cut off the old soda stream to Coutts and threatened to fleece me and Bongo PDQ. Damned bad show if you ask me. Wouldn’t know a Pessac-Leognan from a Pin Pomerol if you ask me.

Glad to have made your acquaintance Charlie. . Give me a shout any time.

Sir Henry Pilkington Bonkton Planck, Devon

Fine Harry; if I’m down your way I’ll call in and you can put the kettle on. . Love to see your moat. . Talking about Pessac Leognan; If you like a drop of Graves, I’ve got some 2001 Chateau Cros La Graviere. . I’ll bring you one down and can stick it under the Four Poster in case of emergencies. . Say hello to the old girl for me.

Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire

Editor
Letters
Western Daily Press.

Published 29th. June 2005

Dear Editor,

Once again, Identity Cards are being presented as a benign accoutrement to good citizenship. The only people who have nothing to fear from Digitally-Recorded Identity Cards are the criminals. As with all other legislative controls, like the Gun Law Legislation, the Dangerous Dogs Act and the Drug Laws, the criminals will just ignore it and treat it as a complete irrelevance. It will just be us, the honest law-abiding citizens who will be left with the nightmare of a corruptible, uncontrollable and completely insecure digital record of our entire existence, being made available to anyone with the determination to access it, misuse it or steal it.

The majority have no real understanding of the power, or vulnerability, of digital information held on computer data bases. . . . Whether the cost is FIVE POUNDS or FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS

I for one will NEVER allow myself to be manacled like a 21st Century Slave to satisfy the cravings of Control Freaks like Tony Blair or New Labour.

Yours

Charles Henry

It was an ill-advised and failing Conservative government, run by John Major that introduced the Protection of Badgers Act in 1992; to secure a few extra votes (and in the event it did if you recall). . The Krebs Trials were clearly introduced as an attempt to placate their detractors. . . Whatever/whoever, the whole exercise has been proved to be a catastrophic failure. . And if someone doesn’t very soon act to rectify this calamity, the ultimate consequences will be dyer for both British agriculture and those who will be held culpable for allowing this disaster to unfold. . . . The Swine flu virus will be a ‘Walk-In-The-Park’ compared to the insidious, and now endemic Mycobacterium bovis bacilli that has spread through wildlife and is now beginning to affect our domestic pets; and ultimately all of us.