Life in service and green energy – readers' letters, plus a poignant 1919 Armistice Day tribute
Readers debate whether the Government should apologise for the slave trade, share family memories of life in domestic service and question the impact of renewable energy on rural communities
What should PM apologise for?
Being part of the slave trade is not something the UK can look back on without shock and horror. Neither can many other European countries and many West African tribes. If those involved at the time had said sorry for their actions, once slavery was abolished in the UK, then it would have meant something, but for the UK Government to make a formal apology now makes me wonder if it is just political correctness to appease Labour Party supporters.
The countries seeking an apology really want money from the UK Government to help with their debts. Will they be pursuing formal apologies and money from the West African tribes who captured their own people to sell to the slave traders?
Which historical event takes priority? Should Andy Burnham be apologising for the Normans Harrying of the North in the winter of 1069-70?
Peter Steggles, Rushbury
Service was form of slavery
With all this talk about slavery recently, my mind goes back to my grandmother, who told me about her time 'in service', which she described as slavery. She was paid 10 shillings a year (50p today) and started work aged 14. She walked from her home at 4am to make and light the bedroom fires of the rich in a large stately home. Downton Abbey it was not!
Christmas presents from her employers were a pair of work shoes, only to be worn at work, or a work uniform, only to be worn indoors.
If a member of the family walked past her, she had to turn and face the wall. They didn't know her name. Time off was one Sunday a month. My grandmother was very bitter about how she was treated and, in later years, refused to visit stately homes. I can't repeat what she said!
Valerie Amos, Muxton
Pylons serving green energy
I see one of the Shropshire MPs Helen Morgan is on her soapbox objecting to pylons and substations, saying they are ‘eyesores’.
Well Helen, these extra pylons and substations are all down to the very dispersed nature of your favourite ‘renewables’.
All those far flung solar and wind farms in rural areas have to be connected to the urban areas like the West Midlands that actually need the power.
Coming soon to an area near you, loads more pylons, substations and dangerous BESS sites.
She should also know that underground cables are massively expensive compared to pylons.
And heaven knows our ‘renewable bills’ are already high enough.
Chris Smith, Horsehay
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