Same rates but a poorer service

Blaby District Council: the Scrooge of Christmas?

Once again, it is the time of year of no refuse collections and no recycling collections.

On December 10, the binmen were calling for textile collections (a recycling bag had been put through the door) – an ideal opportunity, I thought, to get rid of the two bags of clothes I had.

I duly left them both out, even though only one recycling bag had been left.

One bag was taken and the other left with another recycling bag to put it in.

Why couldn't the binmen put one bag inside another themselves?

Now the Christmas period is over and a mountain of recycling and refuse is still waiting to be taken. Why?

Because Huncote's collections are on a Monday. We never get the same service as the rest of Blaby district, though we pay the same rates.

Before December 31, our last recycling collection was December 10 and our last refuse collection was December 17.

Also from our dear council, we received a letter about our objection to the ridiculous housing estate being planned for Huncote.

Another 75 houses on top of the 93 and 25 already built.

When is the date for us all to attend the planning meeting? It is 4.15pm today, a time when most people will be at work.

Is this designed specifically so people will not attend the meeting? It certainly seems so.

Blaby District Council: Not Working For You.

Mr D Bown, Huncote.

Yet again, Blaby District Council appears to be giving the go-ahead for a 78-property development in Whetstone ("Homes plan set to go ahead despite villagers' objections", Mercury, December 31).

Residents living in this area have no one to stand up against all these proposed developments.

This council is riding roughshod over the majority of its residents without taking any of the considerations into account.

Countesthorpe has been devastated by new housing developments in once open fields.

Blaby is set to get the same treatment.

With this shower in office, planning permission would be granted without hesitation.

Ann Williamson, Blaby.

On behalf of Oadby and Wigston Charity Fun Day Committee, we are grateful to Mercury readers for their generosity when we have in the past made requests for unwanted Christmas presents.

These gifts have been used for tombola/raffle prizes and have helped with our fund-raising events leading up to the fun day held at Parklands leisure centre, Oadby, each August bank holiday Monday.

The fun day is aimed at attracting families with its low entrance fee and free entertainment.

Each year, the fun day has proved to be bigger and better.

Proceeds of a year of fund-raising, peaking with the fun day, are distributed between charities.

The committee has decided this year to support: Age UK (Oadby and Wigston); Whizz-Kidz, which helps children with disabilities by way of ambassador clubs and assistance with purchasing wheelchairs; Crohns and Colitis UK (Leicestershire and Rutland) and Leicester's wheelchair basketball team, the Cobras.

The small committee which organises the fun day and events leading up to it prides itself on not paying expenses unless required for health and safety or necessities.

Any unwanted Christmas gifts will help us with our fund-raising and we are happy to collect. We can be contacted on 0116 288 0089.

We can also be contacted on the same number if anyone has inquiries about having a charity/trade stall at the fun day or for any further information.

Bill and Linda Boulter, Wigston.