Former care home worker robs her own
THE Grotto in Lower Basildon is a Grade II-listed building of great historical importance. I personally believe that the shell-work that led to the building acquiring its name is still there, albeit covered by plaster.
In its day it was the most famous grotto in the land.
About six years ago we were shown a scheme by the owner to convert The Grotto into a hotel and I understand that the council finally granted consent to a revised scheme in 2019. As some residential development within the grounds is proposed, Historic England approval was required and that added to the delay.
But leaving the building unoccupied for such a long period of time has taken its toll – and to that can now be added the effects of serious vandalism two years ago and now a major fire (Newbury Weekly News, March 11).
The Grotto has now become an ‘at risk’ building and looks a really sad sight from the
Thames Path.
Our district council have a statutory duty to ensure that our listed buildings are preserved and in view of recent events they and we the public need assurances from the owner that the building will be restored and used for an approved purpose, within a reasonable time frame. If the council cannot obtain the necessary assurances, they should make a compulsory purchase order, buy the building and then sell it on to someone or some company which does have
CANCER patients find themselves let down by the NHS due to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s policy of solely focusing on Covid.
Boris Johnson allowed Christmas to go ahead, ignored calls to bring in travel restrictions and was slow to impose a national lockdown, despite knowing about the new deadly variant that spiraled Covid-19 cases out of control in the second wave and overwhelmed the NHS to the point of collapse.
His actions have now resulted in the NHS waiting list reaching a record-high backlog of 4.6 million, affecting key services including cancer and routine surgery.
It is now going to take a major effort for the over-exhausted NHS workforce, on a measly one per cent pay rise, to reduce the shocking waiting list backlog and may take many years to clear at the cost of patients’ lives.
The situation can only get worse if we encounter another wave as restrictions are lifted and people ignore the guidelines.
There is a real danger that cancer patients may become the forgotten tragedy of the 21st century.
Therefore, what is the Government going to do about it? JEANNETTE SCHAEL Crookham Close
Tadley
WITH spring on the horizon, many of us will be keen to get out of the jumpers and jogging bottoms that have dominated our daywear for so long.
This month, your readers may be thinking about having a wardrobe refresh and digging out something a bit lighter to wear on brighter days.
While reaching for the T-shirts and stowing away the sweaters, why not consider a spring clean to raise funds for a vital local charity, whilst making room in your wardrobe?
At Thames Valley Air Ambulance, we rely solely on donations from the public to keep us on the frontline of saving lives.
Recently, we haven’t been able to get out and fundraise in the way we normally do, so our recycling banks are a fantastic way for people to support us during restricted times.
Donated shoes, clothes and textiles have earned us over £1m so far.
With 42 banks across
Berkshire, there’s bound to be one nearby.
Plus, we’re always on the lookout for new locations, so if readers know somewhere that could host a recycling bank, let us know.
Visit tvairambulance.org.uk/ support-us/recycling to find the nearest bank and give that spring cleaning some meaning.
RUTH DUNKIN
Head of community and events, Thames Valley Air Ambulance