'As someone in my 90s, I have seen lots of governments come and go, but never one of them has shown utter contempt for old age pensioners like this Labour government' - Your Letters and a famous face with a passion for steam in a Picture from the Past

I have recently been informed by the Department for Work and Pensions, that as my wife and myself were born before 1945 we would just get £150 each this year winter fuel payment. Writing as someone in my 90s, I have seen lots of governments come and go over the years, but never one of them has shown utter contempt for old age pensioners in this country like this Labour government has done.

They have been an absolute disgrace.

S Bird, Midlands

Photo was shock to modern eyes

The photo of the roadworks in Albrighton from 1969 on the letters page of the Star, was a real memory jogger. 

Pre health and safety it shows no barriers, a big digger dropping sand/soil into the hole in the road and a geezer standing right by the hole as this happens! Nowadays there would be a 100 feet of orange barriers, traffic lights, and 27 consultants on site. Of course the biggest shock to modern eyes is actually seeing someone working where the roadworks are and getting the job done.

Peter Steggles, Rushbury

Picture from the Past

SVR picture is a real gem to see

The Picture from the Archive in the edition of October 9, of a Severn Valley Railway scene in around 1908 is one completely unknown to all the photographers and historians who have researched the history of the railway for many years.

David Williams, the previous editor of SVR News with the outstanding record of 55 years of service from 1969 to 2024, has had thousands of photographs submitted to him for publication in the magazine but such a photograph has never appeared, although historians have written about the site.

As a footplateman for 20 years between 1974 and 1994, the times that I have passed the site must run into four figures and I have, particularly in the early years, looked for any sign of its existence. The only one I could find was where the hedgerow is stepped back to accommodate the track, which is a surprisingly long way from the signal box giving the impression of double track and must have been a heavy pull for the ‘bobby’ to operate the points.

The box itself is much bigger than I imagined it to be, being at least as big as those at Alveley and Highley.

The junction for the line to the farms is directly opposite the box giving the ‘bobby’ a direct view of the track leading to them and a short siding with wagons containing farm produce.

For this photograph to emerge after all these years is a miraculous, lovely surprise. So many, many thanks to the Star for unearthing this absolute gem, which will give so much pleasure to the thousands of supporters who love the SVR.

Trevor Matthews, Claverley

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