Those in work must be praised not questioned

£25 STAR LETTER

I was surprised that a reader regarded Betty, who is still working at 77, was keeping another person from ajob( Your View, November 11).

If a person enjoys their work and is fit and healthy to continue into their senior years, then no one has the right to question their choice.

Being employed is one of the most beneficial and meaningful situations that a person can do for themselves and their families.

Of course there will always be the work-shy brigade who are fit and capable, but choose not to look for gainful employment.

With the UK Government’s long overdue re-organisation of the social benefits system, suddenly more people are finding work.

Perhaps this is due to more questions being asked and the benefits not being handed out so readily.

Street life

Reading your Dear Maggie column, there was a piece about good neighbours.

I just turned 65 and over the years lost some good ones, which were like family to me.

I’m still living in the same street but lately the neighbours don’t wanttoknowyou.

They just walk past and ignore you.

Memory lane

I read Mr Gascoyne’s letter about his time at Skellow School near Doncaster.

I also went to Skellow in the early 1940s. When I left I joined the Women’s Land Army.

At 17 years of age, I loved it. I was a cook, after training. I was up every morning at 5.30am, cooked breakfast for 59 Landgirls, got them off to work. I had a pen pal who I wrote to for a year before we met. Then I married him! We were married for 67 years. I am glad I wrote to him.

It did me good to read that letter.

Who cares?

As a long-standing care home resident, the time has come to tell a few home truths about working conditions.

A great deal of time and money go into ensuring a good impression is created, but the working conditions of the people who do the caring certainly do not match up to this. The aim seems to be minimum staff to give very maximum work.

Where I live we have experienced, loyal staff, without them we could not function.

Meaty issue

IagreewithJudy Murray, if people eat sensibly and don’t pile their plates up so much, there is no problem with eating beef.

I am 85 and eat meat at least three times a week.

Those who are not allergic need milk and there wouldn’t be custard, ice cream without cows.

There would not be so much sickness if people took responsibility for their diet and do not eat late at night, and if possible a walk after a meal.

I need no medication from my doctor and weigh nine stone.

Moo-tiful

I hope this makes you smile:

They went down the lane together.

The sky was all studded with stars.

They reached the gate together.

For her he opened the bars.

She neither smiled or thanked him.

For indeed she knew not how.

For he was only a farmer’s boy.

And she a Jersey cow.