Smartphone bans and fireworks – readers’ letters, plus daredevil flying at Halfpenny Green in 1973

PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Swooping just feet above the grass, a biplane from the famous Rothmans Aerobatic Team threads the needle beneath a low bunting line held aloft by two figures - including one dressed in a monkey suit on the right - during rehearsals at Halfpenny Green Airfield in June 1973. Organised by the Barnstormers Flying Circus as a summer replacement for the Goodyear Air Races, the display promised a crowd-pleasing mix of daredevil precision flying and slapstick comedy both on the ground and in the skies. Do you remember watching the Rothmans Aerobatic Team or the Barnstormers Flying Circus in action at Halfpenny Green in the 1970s? | Express & Star archive

placeholder image — PICTURE FROM THE ARCHIVE: Swooping just feet above the grass, a biplane from the famous Rothmans Aerobatic Team threads the needle beneath a low bunting line held aloft by two figures - including one dressed in a monkey suit on the right - during rehearsals at Halfpenny Green Airfield in June 1973. Organised by the Barnstormers Flying Circus as a summer replacement for the Goodyear Air Races, the display promised a crowd-pleasing mix of daredevil precision flying and slapstick comedy both on the ground and in the skies. Do you remember watching the Rothmans Aerobatic Team or the Barnstormers Flying Circus in action at Halfpenny Green in the 1970s? | Express & Star archive

Concerns over plans to ban smartphones in schools, the impact of fireworks on people with breathing difficulties and the issue of slavery and reparations

Concerns over ban on phones

Following the announcement that smartphones are to be banned from pupils’ bags or pockets in schools in England, the RNIB is concerned a blanket ban could disadvantage children and young people with vision impairment.

Research shows that pupils with vision impairment achieve, on average, 33 per cent lower attainment than their peers, and the sight loss charity says every effort must be made to close this gap.

Smartphones are an essential accessibility tool for many pupils with vision impairment, particularly where tablets are not available. Screen readers, magnification apps and colour contrast settings help students access the same information as their classmates.

Children and young people with vision impairment are entitled to the same access to learning as their peers, but sadly this is not always the case. A blanket ban risks leaving some without an essential tool to help them learn and reach their full potential.

Government guidance makes clear that schools must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils under the Equality Act. This means blanket bans should not override a student's need to use their own device where it is necessary because of their disability. Removing that access risks putting pupils with vision impairment at a significant disadvantage.

We urge the Government and schools to make explicit exemptions to any mobile phone ban for pupils with vision impairment, in line with existing guidance. Without these reasonable adjustments, students risk being excluded from learning – not because of their ability, but because the tools they rely on have been taken away.

Aarifah Karim, RNIB

Fireworks not good for air

My wife suffers from COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. For the last two nights the air purifier which normally helps her to breathe has been registering 10. A very high level of air pollution. Caused we believe by fireworks which were being set off nearby. I beg those who enjoy celebrating with fireworks to consider residents with lung conditions. Smoke from fireworks can increase breathing difficulties. Please do not let off fireworks near houses.

Name and address supplied

Slavery was found in mines

With regard to Mr Alan Jones's comments about slavery he mirrors my thoughts exactly. Here in Wales people were treated incredibly badly, living in squalid conditions and working in the same. From the coal mines and slate mines to the steel and iron works they were just as enslaved as anyone else. No wonder unions became so strong.

Reparations will not and must not be considered if they are not available for all.

Nigel Griffiths, Hanmer

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