Your Letters: November 13

The writer who describes himself as an "ordinary Black Country bloke", letters 8 November, should read your letters page more often if he thinks Labour defenders are hiding, far from it. As I see it the political balance in your letters page since the July election is fair and not one sided and reflects my comments.

Why should he begrudge junior doctors, after eight years training, have a decent increase on their £14 hour, or train drivers a good salary, hauling hundreds of passengers at speeds of 90mph?

In the same issue, we have farmers moaning about the Budget, well farmers always moan about something, natural for them and they don’t vote Labour. They shot themselves in the foot by majority voting for Brexit and now regret not receiving EU subsidy.

Like many, I have lost my winter fuel allowance, if that helps young people into a home of their home or helps children out of poverty I am happy about it. 

As another Black Country bloke and mid-octogenarian, I look forward to the fact I might not experience another Tory Government in my lifetime. How fortunate that would be for me.

R I Jeavons, Craven Arms

SELF DIAGNOSIS AT GP SURGERY

With reference to Mr Rhodes' comment about seeing one's GP. For many years I have had chest infections every winter. I became quite adept at going to surgery, telling my GP, he'd listen to chest and back, confirm my diagnosis and give me a prescription. Then came the dreadful day, my GP had retired and I went into surgery, announced I thought I had a chest infection to be given an odd look by doctor. She checked chest and back, asked me the question 'Why do you think you have a chest infection?' I explained that as I had, at least, one every winter or 60+ years I'd learned the symptoms. Doctor agreed.

It was only much later that I realised why I'd been given the 'odd' look. The 'new' doctor wasn't used to odd people (like me) and was naturally slightly suspicious of my announcement when I first spoke. So Mr Rhodes, be careful when you go there, and just give your symptoms, like I do. Well some of the time anyway, my GP surgery at Gravel Hill seem to accept my idiosyncrasies and terrible puns.

Michael Gough, Wombourne

QUESTION OVER ARCHIVE PICTURE

I was very interested to see the Archive photo in the 8 November edition of the Star's 'Picture from the Archive'. The description is of Lady Bradford and Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader at the Weston Park Air Show on 19 July 1987.

I was confused - I am a volunteer guide and researcher at Weston Park and know that Lady Bradford died in November 1986.  I wondered if the year wrong - was it 1986? - or is this not Lady Bradford - Mary 6th Countess of Bradford - but somebody else?

Joy Pownall, Newport

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