Send a heart to remember lost lives
BURNHAM: A project encouraging Burnham residents to create a heart and hang it on a tree in St Peter’s Churchyard to remember the lives lost to COVID-19 has started.
The project, which was started by Rev Janet Minkkinen and churchwarden Pam Rogers, saw church members make a ‘Tree of Hearts’ in their churchyard, to ‘reflect on the 100,000 plus lives lost’ to COVID-19.
The project began at the start of February.
The hearts can be decorated in any way and can feature a message of the creator’s choice. Hearts already on the tree include messages of hope, dedications to loved ones whose lives have been lost and messages expressing thanks to the NHS.
Rainbow Fishes Nursery has also contributed a number of hearts that were created by the children.
The project is running until Monday, March 15.
I’ve read Chris Locke’s letter (Viewpoint, February 11) with some dismay.
Here’s another driver who just wants to get cyclists off the road.
It’s great to hear that he saw 14 cyclists on the A308 in one drive.
I will declare my hand as a long-term cyclist of some 62 years. I have been involved with cycle racing with various clubs and coaching since 2003.
I am still a coach and still ride.
I have used the A308 on occasion and am not aware of any cycle path.
There is a pavement and if this has been designated as a cycle path it should not have been.
Cycle paths on pavements are dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
There isn’t usually room for both and for a cyclist used to traveling at a steady speed of 16-20mph the side roads that break across the pavement forcing one to stop or give way are dangerous and inconvenient, as are pedestrians who tend not to look where they are going and expect cyclists to get back on the road.
I’m sure you also have many letters complaining about cyclists on pavements.
So cyclists cant win, both drivers and pedestrian want us out of their way.
If the council plans to create cycle paths they must not do it by designating pavements as such.
What is needed is a marked lane at least one metre wide, preferably more and not less, on all roads.
If it narrows the road for drivers it will have the benefit of slowing them down and I see there is a proposal for the A308 to have its speed limit dropped from 4030mph anyway.
I will agree with Chris Locke in that the council spending money in this way on cycle lanes that are really just pavements is wasteful.
But of course the council never asked me.
There is a cycle forum I remember. I attended it for a while as secretary of a local cycle club but it was pointless, nobody listened.
Unfortunately there are two kinds of cyclists on the road.
Those who some choose to call Lycra Louts or MAMALS are usually in fact very experienced club riders who are wearing the correct kit for efficiency and comfort. They are skilful, fast and know what they are doing. They are perfectly safe as long as the motorists behave themselves.
There are also those we might call ‘pedestrians on wheels’ – ordinary folk who simply use a bike for short distance transport, shopping or commuting wearing ordinary clothes.
They are often on pavements and I’ve seen them move from pavement to road without glancing behind, one very nearly causing an accident with me by dropping
into the road as I was cycling up behind him on the road. Some of them can be very dangerous.
I’m happy to ride on the road at all times. I feel safe there, it’s the drivers who might knock me down who are dangerous and I’ve got used to watching out for them.
I don’t need the council to spend money on cycle lanes for me, perhaps the ‘pedestrians on wheels’ do, but that needs to be done properly so they can ride safely on the road.
JOHN PERCY Highway Road
Maidenhead