LETTERS

December 29, 1170

ON this day in 1170, four armed knights entered Canterbury Cathedral. They seized Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and hacked him to death. It is one of history’s most infamous murders and sent shockwaves through medieval Europe.

Becket was born in London’s Cheapside to a family of Norman descent. After grammar school he obtained a position in the household of Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury.

This saw him visit Rome and Bologna, and he rose up the ranks. In 1155 he was Lord Chancellor and in 1162, after Theobald’s death, he became Archbishop of Canterbury.

Relations between church and King Henry II, who wanted a looser connection with Rome, became strained. Becket, the only senior churchman to refuse, was convicted of contempt and malfeasance and fled to Europe. Becket threatened to excommuncate the king

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Please don’t let us down

Thankfully, our British Prime Minister recognises that a vote from Joe Bloggs carries as much clout as a vote from one of the hierarchy (“Jubilant Boris has the world at his feet”, December 22).

It is to the Prime Minister’s credit when he says he promises to do whatever he can to help these “ex-labour” voting people who played their part in making Boris Johnson our PM.

For as long as I can remember the people have been maliciously duped with false promises, coming from the mouths of politicians from every political party.

So I say to our PM, Joe Bloggs is easily pleased. He does not want the sun, the moon and the stars.all he wants is a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and to raise a family in a dignified manner, that encourages them to do likewise when they become adults. I trust the PM will not let those people down.

Harry Stephenson, Kircubbin, County Down

Swipe card at reception

The subject of the cost to the NHS of health tourism keeps reappearing (“Make NHS tourists pay”, Letters, December 22).

Why can’t non-medical staff at hospital reception simply swipe a credit card at the point of entry just as we are obliged to do when checking in at any hotel, home and abroad? Someone travelling here without a credit card should surely raise suspicion.

This would not be ethical if an admission was an emergency but it could be processed at a more appropriate time.

Michael Carter, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Still at back of queue

I totally agree with letter writer Peter Roulston (December 22) but somehow I think the timescales which he suggested are a bit low, with migrants not receiving free treatment or be eligible to claim benefits until they have paid National Insurance and tax for five years.

I started work in January 1963, aged 15 years and three months, and finished working in September 2012.

So I’ve worked it out, I’ve paid in for 49 years and three months.

Calculate the difference in payments and, like myself and a good many other people as well, the ratio seems a bit low.

Plus, I still have to wait in a queue behind NHS tourists. Enough said.

Philip Evans, Great Wyrley, Staffordshire

Game better back then

It was sad to read Martin Peters has passed away (“Farewell toworld Cup winner Martin Peters”, December 22).

Years ago, footballers seemed more down to earth, while they had more passion for the game.

Nowadays the media attention on football seems to be the amount of money spent by clubs on transfer fees.

Surely no football player is worth what top Premier League clubs are happy to afford, even though I believe that English football was just as exciting years ago.

I believe then players were fitter, more passionate and often played for their hometown clubs. In recent years we have seen an increase of players who are not local playing for football teams, and transferring on a regular basis.

Daniel Burton, St Leonards-on-sea, East Sussex

Bad Sports a turn-off

I have to agree wholeheartedly with David Stephenson’s view of Sports Personality Of The Year (December 22).

It used to be a “must watch” programme for anyone with sporting interests but the whole concept of it has changed for the worse in recent years.

I think that having a shortlist from which to elect the winner was the start of its demise. Not having watched it for a number of years, I did catch the final 30 minutes this year and I quickly remembered why I had stopped.

In the short time I watched, there were two singers, both pretty dire, and I wondered what they were even doing in a programme celebrating sporting achievement.they certainly did not enhance it.

I found Gary Lineker to be as wooden as ever, the audience looked pretty bored and Princess Anne looked as if she would have preferred to be somewhere else.

Geoff Manning, Lower Kingswood, Surrey

Gareth is so inspiring

The most uplifting programme on television this Christmas was from Watford General Hospital, where Gareth Malone put on a concert, broadcast on BBC 2.

He visited every ward, talking to patients of all ages and various members of staff, getting them involved and listening to their every need.

The tireless work done in the hospital, and the empathy shown by the staff to the patients, was a joy to behold.

Joan Winstanley,

Preston