Novelty of the lockdown will soon lose its appeal

JUDITH Woodman’s letter (“How about taking some positives from this crisis”, Echo, April 14) paints a very cheerful picture of her life so far in the lockdown.

Unfortunately, we are only into week four of something that may last for many months or even a year. Yes, we are lucky: so far, the sun is shining and gardens are looking at their best, but we all know it will start raining soon and not everyone has a garden. Yes, we can do jobs we have always meant to do but this won’t last forever.

What if winter is coming round again and we still can’t visit cafes, pubs and restaurants or socialise with family or friends. I don’t think any of us, including Judith, will be happy then and I haven’t included the millions who may have lost their jobs and are suffering from hardship and depression.

I would love to say otherwise but I’m afraid the future is grim.

David Gorton

Rumney, Cardiff

Unfortunate case of mistaken identity?

DAVE PRICHARD’S interesting letter about Cardiff’s law courts (“All geared up for horses”, Echo, April 16) reminded me of a regular occurrence there in the 1950s, when I worked in City Hall.

Police would hold an identity parade, and needed a number of “civilians” for the line-up. Where did they get them from? They sent across to our office in City Hall, and we – me included – trekked across and took our places in a line and waited. In would be brought the scruffiest “night- in-the-cells” piece of humanity imaginable. He could choose a place to stand.

Bear in mind this was the 1950s, and we were “City Hall” where, in those days, one’s dress code was a far cry from that of today. To say that the accused stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb is an understatement, at top level. So it was a foregone conclusion that when a witness came in to identify the accused it was no contest.

The witness was required to touch the accused. On one occasion he did this, and the accused made a sudden move forward. Did that witness move back quickly? Three guesses. One, perhaps?

One day, however, things did not to according to plan. The witness picked out one of my colleagues. I leave it to your imagination on how we, his friends, reacted to this. Norman Rendle Rhiwbina, Cardiff

Invitation to men at the top

I COULD not agree more with Ian McNicholas (“Get the order for equipment done”, Echo letters, April 14).

Please could UHW or Royal Gwent extend an invite to Mark Drakeford and Vaughan Gething to visit one of the “safe wards” wearing the same PPE as the doctors and nurses?

This would not be an unnecessary journey as they would see the situation first hand. Somehow, I don’t think the invitation will be accepted. J Seabrook

Abercynon

Due process has to be observed

AS elected members in the Whitchurch and Tongwynlais ward we were horrified to read the Welsh National Party’s call to press ahead specifically with reviewing and giving permission to Velindre Cancer Centre’s latest planning applications.

This despite the applications, rightly, not yet having been submitted by the trust.

Cardiff council has halted making decisions on current applications, and the receipt of new ones, to ensure that every application is scrutinised properly by officers, and consultations with the public can be held fairly and transparently.

With stretched staff resources and a public on lockdown, both due to Covid-19, this was the right decision to make.

Furthermore, we would ask why Cllr Keith Parry, who sits on the Cardiff council planning committee, would feel it correct to bypass statutory requirements and also express his support for the scheme, and what other statutory processes and public consultations would the Welsh National Party like to bypass in order to get the outcomes they desire?

The care given to patients by Velindre now is first-class and will continue to be so. The new Velindre Cancer Centre does need to be built, in the right location, but only after due process and respect of constituents voices.

This letter is submitted on behalf of the Whitchurch and Tongwynlais elected members, excluding Cllr Mike Jones-Pritchard, as he sits on the planning committee.

Cllr Linda Morgan,

Cllr Mike Phillips,

Cllr Mia Rees

I would love to say otherwise but I think the future is grim

Sculpture would honour our heroes

EVENTUALLY this bizarre and intimidating crisis will end.

Meanwhile the staff at all levels in NHS Wales and the social carers continue their heroics.

To coin a metaphor and a question: would we have sent the Tommies into the First World War without rifles, bayonets, grenades or helmets?

I think there should be a UK monument in London but also one in Wales, in Cardiff.

I suggest a competition for a sculpture to be sited at the top of St John Street opposite the fine statue of Nye Bevan, pictured.

Paul Robertshaw Cathays,

Cardiff

Sad to see erosion at coastal location

AROUND 1920 the St Mary’s Well Bay holiday resort, near Sully, with its own promenade, shops and easy access to a train station (Lavernock), was a direct competitor with the likes of Barry Island and Penarth.

But after the closure of the train line in 1968, and with the advent of the package holiday abroad, St Mary’s Well Bay resort fell out of view, and disappeared from the holidaymaker’s bucket list.

At the beginning of the year Archaeology Cymru was still record

ing much of what was left of the holiday resort. Alas now due to recent high tides, we have seen the erosion and collapse of the remaining sea barrier, and the collapse of the Second World War pillbox.

In February the pillbox was completely protected by the sea barrier, and now the pillbox and sea barrier is in a collapsed state.

Much of this erosion is now going unchecked because of the coronavirus, but if you have seen excessive erosion at coastal or inland sites please give us a call: 07437 747402 or email: archaeologycymru@live.co.uk

This erosion, could cost lives if not reported.

Karl-James Langford Barry