Do you remember work camp?

While walking my dog on Roman Bank at Leverington I got talking to a charming couple from Norway.

The husband, Iver, was taking a trip down memory lane and showing his wife, Kari, where he was a student in ’75 and ’76 at the International Work Camp.

I invited them home for coffee and he showed me photographs and memorabilia of his time there. He has promised to email his memories of those times so we can include a small section at our Heritage Weekend event in Leverington church from September 10-13.

If anyone has photographs or memories of those times please get in touch with the Friends of Leverington Church on 01945 475097.

Mary Watt,

Chairwoman, Friends of Leverington Church.

social democracy

No ‘ism’ here

John Bennett-Collins is correct when he says I want it both ways (Letters, August 22). It’s called Social Democracy. There isn’t an “ism” on the end of it like Capitalism and Socialism.

If you have never experienced working with people who call themselves Socialists (and I have) then you will be taken in by the fine words and the fine prospects they hold out. But that is all it is – fine words, it’s really all about power and control; we’ll never get a government like the Atlee government again! Read Orwell’s Animal Farm for a deeper insight.

The socialist Jeremy Corbyn, the current front-runner for the Labour leadership that the unions and presumably John Smithies support, is linked with some very undesirable people.

I loved John’s description of the present Labour party and I feel that he perhaps wants the same as me – a political party with ideas that help people to live better and more rewarding lives and with policies that are practical and desirable; something he won’t get from so-called Socialists.

David Silver,

via email.

Austerity

Millions hit

It’s the start of the summer holidays; a time when families expect to take a deserved break and enjoy themselves.

But in Tory Britain, years of crippling austerity cuts, zero-hour contracts, low pay and high rents have driven hundreds of thousands to use food banks in order to put a meal on the table. And because of Chancellor George Osborne’s latest budget, low income families will be further hammered by an extra £12 billion-worth of welfare cuts.

Thirteen million families will lose hundreds of pounds a year because of cuts in working tax credits. And because of cuts in Universal Credit, three million households will lose an average of £1,000 a year... and the list of cuts goes on.

But at the same time the super-rich backers of the Tories continue to accumulate wealth. This year the 1,000 richest families in the UK amassed £547 billion, up £28 billion on last year’s total. No problem here buying a fish and chips supper.

John Smithee,

Wisbech.

school uniform

Warding off the bullies

The shocking case of a schoolgirl attacked by bullies for wearing the ‘wrong’ kind of trainers illustrates the pressure on youngsters to wear designer brands.

Although we may never be able to put a stop to incidents like these, schools can reduce the risk by making sure there is a clear uniform policy that is observed by everyone so that their students always wear the same clothes as their peers.

Not only does uniform reduce the risk of brand bullying, it also creates a sense of belonging – one reason that most parents and teachers believe uniform improves behaviour. According to behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, school uniform has a significant impact on children’s happiness at school. It gives a sense of pride and community, and helps promote positive well-being.

Badly fitted or tatty uniform makes children stand out from their peer group, feeling embarrassed or uncomfortable, and a likelier target for teasing and bullying. So it’s important that uniform fits your child well, is the same as their school friends, is comfortable to wear, good quality and kept in good order.

Our website www.schoolwearassociation.co.uk provides advice and guides for head teachers, governors and families about how to choose and care for your child’s school clothes.

David Burgess,

Chair of The Schoolwear Association.