Incredulity of vice chancellor’s compensation call

I listened with incredulity at the interview on Wednesday morning on Radio 4’s Today programme.

It was with Robert van der Noort, Vice Chancellor of University of Reading (University of Reading) seeking some form of compensation for losses estimated at £100 million over three years because of the impact of Covid.

This is the same University that has made hundreds of millions of pounds selling off prime agricultural land to build thousands of houses in Shinfield, totally destroying a rural village.

Much of the land sold was bequeathed and as reported in The Guardian (February 9, 2019) University of Reading reported itself to regulators around a crisis in £121 million land Sales.

Most of the students have to rent privately off campus and when challenged at a community Relations Meeting on January 29, 2019 to build student accommodation on campus Robert van der Noort stated “ust imagine if you take green space away”, shortly after dismissing residents questioning the massive developments in Shinfield, saying it was necessary to sell their agricultural land for development to meet Reading and Wokingham housing targets and ‘to balance assets’ i.e. revenue stream for University of Reading.

University of Reading land and enterprises at Shinfield include a science park, dependent upon EU funding, but unsure where the remainder of funding is coming from post Brexit.

A British Museum research and storage facility and University of Reading is also going through planning stages to build a massive TV and Film studios potentially employing 3,000 people.

A bit further from home University of Reading invested heavily in a campus in Malaysia which I understand is making significant losses.

University of Reading purports to be at the forefront of ‘Green’ yet, pre Covid, quite happy to contribute to the traffic pollution created from it’s various enterprises.

The University of Reading receives little sympathy from residents in and around Shinfield as they see very little benefit being put into communities’, just exploitation.

Brian Wood, Shinfield

Our distorted world

Just when we may be closer to the ‘Promised Land’ of freedom, I find myself deeply distressed at the non-covid evils around us. I refer to the treatment of animals, children and women.

I receive many charity appeals, especially showing horror stories and pictures of injured and maltreated animals – that bring tears to my eyes.

Very young children with Cleft Lip (Smile Charity) often are about problems in other countries and where mothers frequently abandon them because they cannot pay for operations.

Just how many poor children are there in this world who suffer from hunger, lack of clean water, any medical or physical care, education and all the things our children have or should have?

Charities do what they can, but are dependent on us to give what we can.

Then abuse and mental stress suffered by so many women, albeit mothers or not, who are second to pubs or gambling dens where he who must be obeyed spends money that should be used for the welfare of his family or wife.

Young girls who are not protected are easily abused and sometimes killed by the uncontrolled louts or gangs wandering our streets.

Lastly I mention another serious issue – that of farm animals being injured by dogs – taken for a ‘walkies’ with no control. I wonder if the socalled human owners actually like to see them attack a peace-loving sheep etc.. Sick it is.

If readers share my opinions, I guess they may say ‘why is it allowed – why can we not punish those causing evil?

The lack of ‘Law and Order’ is now so noticeable, things can only get worse, due to the lack of police and the legal system. By the way, we still need about 50,000 more police.

I base that on the government promise of 20.000 more immediately – a long time ago – which if corrected for shifts, absences etc., makes the figure 60,000.

We would benefit from a force of Gendarmeri or Carabinieri type – our Services would certainly be able to form such bodies.

Reg Cliﬞ on, Wokingham

Let us spay

With World Spay Day coming up on February 23, Cats Protection is urging that unneutered pet cats are kept indoors to prevent a potential kitten crisis.

We estimate that around 70% of kittens born in the UK are the result of unplanned pregnancies, which puts severe pressure on owners to arrange for their feeding, care and rehoming.

The pandemic has meant that we are currently only able to take in a small number of cats as emergency cases.

This is why we’re asking the public to help us by ensuring that unneutered cats are kept indoors, and unneutered siblings kept apart.

The coronavirus has affected many vets too. Many have had to prioritise emergency appointments, meaning access to neutering operations will vary. It is important to check with your vet for availability and make an appointment in advance if you can.

Cats Protection can help owners on limited incomes with the cost of neutering pet cats.

To find out if you are eligible, call our Neutering Line on 03000 12 12 12 (option 2) or visit www.cats.org.uk/neutering where you can also find out more about neutering and its benefits. Sarah Reid, Acting Head of Neutering, Cats Protection

Children and families need your help more than ever

As the coronavirus crisis worsens, more and more vulnerable children and young people are feeling the effects of repeated lockdowns, uncertainty and isolation.

The impact of the second wave is pushing a generation of the most vulnerable children in our country into a downward spiral of deprivation.

We at the leading children’s charity Barnardo’s are asking people to donate what would have been the cost of their usual daily commute or coffee to support these children and their families, so they can deal with the immediate challenges they are facing today.

We can support them with vital things, like putting food on the table, paying for heating and electricity (especially in the recent very cold temperatures), affording data so children can keep up with school online, and having access to counselling as children and young people all across the country are struggling with their mental health.

A week’s worth of coffees could mean a week’s worth of food for a child. With your help we can deliver the practical and emotional support families in crisis need.

You can help by supporting our Children in Crisis Appeal today via Barnardo’s Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/campaign/ donateyourdailycommute

Thank you.

Emma Bowman, Director, Barnardo’s South-East Region

Keep on learning

Let’s stop the Government scrapping the Union Learning Fund in England at the end of March.

This unique scheme provides lifelong learning in many local workplaces, bringing together employers, education providers and