READERS LETTER

Dear Editor

After reading in issue 47 a letter from 'A very concerned Granny', about our country changing and not for the better, it urged me to write in. In my opinion we are turning into 'a nanny state' in many ways.

In my opinion we are being told what to do in many issues by the government. Firstly in what we eat and drink. We are told that McDonalds is unhealthy, too much fat and not enough salad. Too much interference is my view. McDonalds is great for a quick lunch if you have been at work or shopping all day in the city. Yes, okay, too much fast food is not the healthiest option but surely people have the right to eat what they want. Have we forgotten the expression on a young child's face when they hear that for a treat they are eating at McDonalds or Burger King?

We are also told that we should aim to eat 5 pieces of fruit and veg per day. Honestly, do the government really think that the UK is that stupid they don't realise Mother Natures own good for us? We are told that if you are overweight, you are clinically obese. To be quite honest, I hardly think the government can talk seeing Charles Clarke and Gordon Brown are hardly role models.

We should all take 30 minutes of exercise per day. It's okay for the MP's that decide these things. They get fancy cars to drive them around London and the only exercise they get is walking from their desk to the coffee machine and then back to their desk.

We are governed in what we watch on television. Adverts to remind us to pay our TV licences, or to quit smoking, or to pay car insurance. Pretty soon our television programmes are going to be constantly interrupted. Picture it, Friday night watching Eastenders. As some thief nicks a mobile phone from a punter a government official pops up at the side of the screen and tells you that street crime is wrong and that the fear of crime is worse than crime itself and that under this government, crime has fallen. You then see Dot Cotton downing another sherry or tomato juice in the Queen Vic. Another government official springs up at the side of the screen and reminds you of the correct number of alcohol units you should drink in a week. Along with this a link to a menu appears warning viewers of the danger of smoking and that passive smoking is as dangerous as smoking itself. As Gary Hobbs, sits down to a greasy fry up at Ian's caff. An expert in nutrition appears and warns you of the dangers of leading a diet high in fat. However, if soaps aren't your thing remember you can always watch the cricket. England vs South Africa? Don't forget your sunscreen if you travel. Also please remember that any alcohol or ciggies you bring back must be for personal use otherwise Customs will have no choice but to seize your goods, impound your car and send you packing with a slap and a fine.

I think I will leave it there as you may be getting bored but there is plenty more I could write about...
Yours gratefully, Aimee Myers (16)

CLEFT LIP & PALATE ASSOCIATION

Cromer & District Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes have made a fantastic effort in raising both the profile and money for CLAPA. Below is an excerpt of the letter received from Dan Mars, Fundraising Officer for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association."I am writing on behalf of the Cleft Lip and Palate Association to thank you, your family and everyone from the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, Cromer & District Lodge for the donations totalling £2979.15.

This is a fantastic achievement and will make a huge difference to our work. It is only thanks to such generosity and continued support that we are able to offer information and support to all those with, and affected by, cleft lip and /or palate. It was an honour and a great pleasure to be invited as a guest to your Lodge's recent ball. It was particularly heart-warming to meet members of your family who have put so much time and effort on CLAPA’s behalf. I found it interesting too, to learn about the philanthropic work of the RAOB."

KIDZ CORNER Okay, all you children aged 1 - 12 years, this column is for you.  Enter the competition(s) and you may win a prize. If you are in a dark room with a candle, a wood stove and a gas lamp. You only have one match, so what do you light first?

When asked to use the word Judicious in a full sentence one little girl replied,
"Hands that judicious can feel soft as your face, with Mild Green Fairy Liquid."