Is this punishment?
Sir - It seems to me reading the article on the front page of last week’s paper (Bedfordshire on Sunday, December 24) about the prisoners’ Christmas menu that they, instead of being punished, (what prison was meant to be for) they have a better deal than some outside prison in spite of the economic situation.
The taxpayers would have to foot the bill for the food they enjoyed while many worthy citizens wouldn’t be able to afford such a menu.
There will be more homeless people trying to commit atrocities in order to get into the prison hotel because they are more likely to have a life of luxury with no work to do and most things done for them.
If these prisoners have done wrong should they be treated like honoured guests?
Jean Ceiriog-Jones Springfield Avenue, Kempston
These fares are not fair
Sir - Train fares have become daylight robbery if you ask me, (Bedfordshire on Sunday December 24).
If I wanted to harm the environment more, I would take my gas guzzling Jag into London via the M1, clogging up the motorway, choking up the city with my fumes and arriving at work stressed and tired.
The Government needs to review the so called ‘cap’ on fare increases.
It ramps up duty on petrol and then when people seek alternative transport to work, it ramps up the duty on that, too.
I feel sorry for the poor people travelling to London paying £3,000 per year or more and their fares are going up even more.
Happy new year!
Mark Knowles Ashburnham Road, Bedford
Where do checks stop?
Sir - During the run-up to Christmas I was delighted to be asked to act as Santa, this being only the second time in 30 years that I had performed this duty, publicly.
It was amazing to find that around 30 per cent of the children brought to the grotto refused, or were most reluctant to enter and chat.
Perhaps a sad reflection on our society, where children are constantly warned about the dangers of talking to strange men.
After 30 years away from the role I was also surprised to learn that I needed enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks before I could undertake the part. To me this was no problem, I have them already.
I was for several years Stationmaster on the local miniature railway, dealing with infinitely more children in each season, than ever I dealt with as Santa.
Whenever the question arose we were assured that CRB checks were not required.
For the uninitiated, CRB checks are made from criminal and other records to ensure that those dealing with young or vulnerable people have no criminal convictions that could debar them from performing such function; a valuable safeguard for staff and parents alike.
It appears that there is some incongruity here; maybe as ‘official anoraks’ railway staff are above suspicion officially, whereas Santas as seasonal beings evoke more suspicion.
Perhaps someone from a relevant department in local government can provide an answer?
Ted Jolliffe Highbury Grove, Clapham
Another school option . . .
Sir - If the British Humanist Association is so concerned about the setting up of a Free School with a Christian ethos (BoS December 18) then surely the remedy is in their own hands? They could set up a Free School of their own which propounds their own beliefs.
S Wilson Hulme Close, Kempston
Come fly with me
Sir - The Romance of Flying. If travelling to Heathrow then the journey from Bedford is particularly romantic.
In the reduced speed zones associated with roadworks on the M1 one has the opportunity to marvel at close quarters the sumptuous array of frustrated stationary vehicles and machinery anxious to get involved.
While stationary on the M25 one has ample time to figure out phrases whose words begin with the letters on the registration plate of the vehicle ahead.
Overlooking the potential problems with checking in and the necessary but tedious security processes one arrives in the departure lounge.
Last zone for boarding, so battle one’s way down obstructed aisles to find no space left in the overhead bins.
Settle down in one’s seat. There is either a delay at that point or tantalisingly having taxied to the very fringe of the runway.
How strange the bawling baby always happens to be in the row behind.
Anyway I have got an aisle seat so can get to the loo without disturbing anybody.
The configuration of the seating in the plane, however, is such that in order to stand, because of one’s centre of gravity and base of support, one has to grasp and pull on the seat in front.
The head jerk one receives is particularly distressing especially while asleep. Then the sneezing starts.
We are being transported in a mobile incubator.
Do I have termites in my headrest?! No it is the person behind tapping on their screen in a game of patience.
“Oh my elbow!” With those heavy food trolleys on the loose perhaps not such a good idea to have an aisle seat after all.
Even a soothing glass of red wine is thwarted by the onset of severe turbulence.
And so on - but then it would be slower by boat!
Dennis Kidd
Sovereigns Quay, Bedford
