PIcTure oF THe weeK!

Citizens are sadly restricted by their upbringing in Britain, since so many adults have bigoted minds, distorting the meaning of words, our only method to think.

So NATO was originally a ‘ defence’ union, in a period after WWII, when Russia was declared a menace, by Winston Churchill, General Patten, General MacArthur, who then favoured attacking our weakened ally, with our huge preponderous level of power.

The UK and USA were firm allies of the Czar until 1917, so hated Russia because its people had chosen Communism. But any fair- minded adult, would agree that growing NATO, must be perceived by Russia, as an aggressive, offensive organisation, even when we supported it for defensive reasons.

Most British adults cling to a child’s comprehension of our world, Goodies and Baddies, and we are always the virtuous Goodies.

I have neither reason nor intention to think highly of Russia, nor its President, but am puzzled when millions of Britons oppose a cease- fire, because we believe that Putin is certifiable, which he may be.

That is a stupid reason for prolonging any war, where Britain, a nation of citizens unwilling to pay to feed their own schoolchildren, gladly pays for land mines to be laid in Ukraine, which will blow the legs off Ukrainian children, ten years from now. The ‘ gunrunner’, the cowardly merchant, who made a fortune from selling arms to desperate combatants in war, has been despised in previous centuries, yet still this trade is dressed up as ‘ saving lives’.

Every British citizen, failing to learn from the past, that a cease- fire must be the best hope to find negotiated peace eventually, regardless of circumstances, must be responsible now, because bitterness increases over generations, just as in the Middle East. Name and address supplied

I am writing in support of national charity Living Streets’ call to see 60% of children walking to school by 2029. Fewer than half of primary school aged children walk to school in England, this is a drop from 70% a generation ago.

When we design streets for children, we create places that work better for everyone. Increased walking rates will reduce road casualties, improve health and air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and boost our economy.

A combination of ambitious yet realistic targets, at least 10% of transport budgets spent on active travel, improved road safety in our neighbourhoods and empowering local authorities to make the right transport decisions, would go a long way to creating safer streets for children to walk and play.

I urge all political parties to ensure the walk to school is at the heart of their transport policy this election year. The impact of this investment will also help tackle the current climate, economic and health crises.

CALLiNg FoR SAFER STREETS FOR OUR CHiLDREN DEAR SIR,

1 Brynffynnon Cottages, St. Asaph, Denbighshire LL17 0ET