Page 30 - link magazine

30 • Letters to the Link. Letters with full name and address should be sent to The Link,
13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook, Swindon by the 20th of the month

Poll Tax on Pets Poll Tax on People expected rates bill (E540). There Cable Vandals
From Isabel Roberts , Moresby Close, From Bob Pixton, Labour Councillor, are 3 main reasons: From Kathleen Lindsay, Mont agle
Westlea Lambert Close, Freshbrook 1. The Government have seized Close, Grange Park
Whilst not wishing ot prolong the I was recently asked for some facts upon the introduction of poll tax to Oh, the sun is shining and I'm out
debate over the pros and cons of and figures about the poll tax. reduce the grant given to local au- in the garden and what do I hear?
the April story by Sheila Mitchell, I While Thamesdown is the collec- thorities forcing me to pay more. In A lawn mower, the distant sound
feel I should point out that the tion agency for Poll Tax it can be all the green/white papers about of music - at the moment I can
biggest hoax was the address of the seen from the bills that 85% of the poll tax the Government suggested because the drill has stopped, the
author. Imay be corrected (and no amount collected is sent to Wilt- that they and business would pro- pavement cutter has stopped,
doubt will be if wrong), but doubt shire County Council to pay for its vide about 75% of the cash for local though I can still hear the the noise
that Sheila was actually living in services and only 15% is retained spending. The reality (from the of a digger. Yes that time is upon us
Moresby Close or even West Swin- by Thamesdown Borough Council bill) is that they are providing only - let's dig up the pavements so they
don when penning her story, hav- for its services. 57%, slightly over half rather than will never look the same again.
ing moved in August 1989. This, based on my bill of £340 it The poll tax payer is funding the I thought I'd got away with it,
It is a mark of success when you amounts to a payment of just under difference to the tune of over C200 after all this is my third time. After
realise that The Link magazine is £1 per week (98p actually) for the each! the last move I thought the paths
read by people all over Swindon. vast range of services that Thames- 2. There has been a re-distribu- would stay looking decent forever.
Contributions from non-residents down provides. This is about the tion of wealth with the poll tax with It would be nice to be informed that
should be welcomed, but let's be price of two cups of coffee at a cafe! money being taken from ordinary there would be disruption to life
honest and report the facts accu- I hope this puts to bed the rumour, people in average homes to subsi- with having to walk in the road,
rately. happily spread by Conservatives, dise people in large homes on high dust, numerous vans, cars, lorries
Mayl say that Ienjoyed the story; that Thamesdown Council is a incomes compared to the rates. toing and froing. I have spoken to
it was a novel and original idea but reckless and wasteful Council. To 3. To simply collect the poll tax others who had been informed
appreciate it could have caused provide the range of services that is estimated to cost £zrnillion more though I wasn't. When I saw the
distress to some readers. Your Thamesdown does for 98pperweek than the estimated cost of rates col- first fluorescent spray on one cable
recent apology will be well received must be value for money from a lection. What could readers sug- box I thought vandals! How right
by those duped. well managed authority in any- gest we do with that extra £m? I was - just a different sort.
Editor's note: Our award winning - body's book. Build a Visitors Centre at Coate
writer assures us that she moved to One common question asked is and the rest on street cleaning? The Link
Moresby Close in 1985 and is still why is the poll tax for our house- I hope this analysis is of value to
there. hold (680) is much higher than the readers. Classifieds
From Jan Bates, Castle Dore, Lineage ads in The Link cost 15p per
Freshbrook word. Boxes cost £3.50 per single
I wish to congratulate Sheila Mitch- Thank you Ralph Sculptor responds column centimetre. Inclusive of VAT.
ell on her recent 'April Fool' article Palmer, the From Julie Livsey, Wallsend, Tyne Lost and found are free. Cash with
regarding a poll tax on pets. My and Wear advert to The Link, 13 Castle Dore,
Freshbrook, Swindon.
family and I found the piece ex- Cycling Chemist Having just read the feature on
C Piatek, Luddesdown Public Sculpture in the May edi-
tremely witty and amusing, even From Mrs I The Company
though it was obviously a joke. Road, Toot hill tion of The Link, I feel it necessary
What a shame it is that some I would like to say a special thank to make it clear that the sculpture Company
readers lack a sense of humour. you to Ralph Palmer, M.P.S. the 'The White Horse Pacified' was not
Surely something as major as a chemist in Deerhurst Way, Tooth- intended to be visible from the road Swindon's brightest
new new poll tax law would first ill, for his help on Friday 11 May. behind it (Cartwright Drive). Introduction Agency for
appear in the major newspapers My 15 month old son Matthew was The bowl of the clay-pit was to singles, divorced, seperated
and not a local freebie like The Link. very poorly and my doctor had be banked up to form a horse shoe and widowed people.
In response to one of last month's phoned through a prescription to shaped enclosure so that the sculp-
letters of complaint, it is PJ Meares Mr Palmer for me. ture suddenly confronted you at a Please phone
who needs the treatment - to im- Matthew was too ill to be taken turn in the footpath that leads down Swindon 487761
plant a sense of humour that is. out in his pushchair to get the pre- to the underpass. It was at this
Let me remind those pet owners scription with me sol called a neigh- point that I was hoping walkers
who complained that it is no joke bour who agreed to go to the chem- would choose to approach the -Vacancies
when they allow their pets to foul ist for me. Unfortunately when she sculpture - the scale of the piece
our public walkways and gardens. arrived it was closed for lunch and being appropriate when it enables Vacancy for a Playgroup Assis-
Do they find it funny when our hence returned without the medi- you to view it from beneath. tant at Westlea Playgroup. 5
children slip over in theirpet's mess cine. About 2.10pm I heard the The most prominent viewpoint mornings. 3 afternoons per week.
and risk contracting potentially door bell ringing but could not is from the main road where a Letters of application to Mrs D
harmful diseases? answer the door as I was busy see- passing driver can pick out at a Conner, 30 Benwell Close, West-
A recent Sunday Times article ingto Matthew upstairs. Unknown glimpse the simple horse form. lea by 8 June.
suggested that 80% of all dogs carry to me, it was Mr Palmer with the Having spotted it, I hope drivers
the Toxicara Canis germ. medicine. would resolve to visit it in its hid- Supervisor and Assistants re-
Maybe a poll tax on pets should When I telephoned him later on den enclosure. quired for The Nine Elms Play-
be introduced to discourage people to explain the situation he offered Unfortunately the landscaping group, Shaw. Five mornings per
from keeping pets which they are to call in with the medicine on his couldn't be completed while I was week. P.P.A. trained preferred,
not prepared to look after correctly. way home from work. True to his in Swindon, but I trust and hope but not essential. Positions avail-
I am not condemning all pet word Mr Palmer arrived on his that its completion will solve many able from September. Please apply
owners. I know many people do push bike at about 630pm with of the concerns expressed on your in writing to: Mrs K Peachey, 1
care for their pets whilst showing Matthews medicine, having gone Arts Challenge page. Kingscote Close, Nine Elms, Shaw,
consideration for others. Pity not out of his way, not once but twice, Swindon
everyone does. including coming in his lunch hour.
Once again, well done to Sheila I am extremely grateful to Mr -For Sale
Mitchell. We and several other Palmer and its nice to know that in Clothing Alterations French Polished Mahogany ve-
friends thought her 'April Fool' this day and age, there are still & Repairs neered dressing table. Large
very funny and we all hope you friendly caring people who are Tel: 872096 mirror. £45.
submit an equally controversial willing to put themselves out to Mrs White, Freshbrook - Deep Pink bedroom carpet
entry in next year's competition. help others. 10x12 £10 Tel: 872282.