Andover Carnival

Dear Editor
This is regarding David Borretts' column on Earliest Photo of Andover appeared on March 5, 2021. 
I remember the offices of Barker, Son and Isherwood clearly as, for many years, my father was the Finance Manager and the unique balcony was where we occasionally watched the carnival from. An excellent view point for a little eight year old! 
It was around about the early fifties when John Barker decided to have a grand clear out of all old correspondence. Especially the crates of paperwork to be found in the "dungeon" that formed the underground basement below the offices above. Tuppenny blues and penny reds abounded and delighted this fledgling philatelist. Sadly no penny blacks! 
Also found was correspondence that stretched back to 1830, ten years before postage stamps came into being! . It seemed that post marks were used before the advent of postage stamps. The script writing was beautifully superb on all correspondence. 
David Borretts' interesting article mentions John Smith, 1860, and I submit a receipted confirmation regarding a safe from Milners' Phoenix Safe Works, Liverpool that he purchased dated 24th September 1862. The safe was at a cost of ten guineas. Also I attach the envelope with two penny reds and addressed to "John Smith, Andover". This address was all that was needed to find him. 

John "History Boy" Porter 
Millway Road, Andover

Demand better

Dear Editor,
The budget announced by the Conservative chancellor was not good news. It marks a return to austerity. Analysis shows that while it cuts money to local councils and the NHS, it puts money into schemes such as the Levelling Up and Community Renewal Funds that appear even to the Financial Times as schemes for pumping money into Conservative-held constituencies rather than those most in need. In the meantime, the pandemic excluded groups, over three million, receive no specific help. These include those who have small businesses, those without furlough, those on many legacy benefits such as carers and the disabled. Yet these groups suffered massively increased costs.
Moving on to the linked issue of the proposed pay restrictions on NHS staff. Back in January 2020, Conservative MPs voted for a 2.1% increase. We now have the Conservative government telling the independent pay review body that it would only fund a 1% increase. Now ministers will tell you it is up to the independent pay review body but that is hokum. As a former soldier who was also regulated by an independent pay review body, the government’s instruction is an order.
Now you can argue from both a moral and recruiting standpoint that NHS staff deserve a real-terms pay rise. They are burned out, traumatised, and stressed after over a year caring for hundreds of thousands of severely ill Covid patients. They have worked tirelessly to get as many people vaccinated as possible. Many of us have seen first-hand the hard work and sacrifice that NHS staff have made. At the same time, the Government has been pouring money into dodgy PPE and the ludicrous Test and Trace system, now running to a staggering £37bn, which has had to be rescued by local councils. It is scandalous that while some consultants earn more in one week than nurses earn in a whole year, the Government believes it is fair to cut NHS workers’ salaries. Demand better for the NHS. Demand better for us.

Cllr Luigi Gregori, Charlton Road, Andover

Teaching religion

Dear Editor,
How amazing that the government is now even accusing those teaching “religion” of being liable to prosecution of the grounds of it being seen as a conversion therapy if aimed at anyone from the LGBT community.
If this is what they think of people teaching religion, then goodness knows what will happen to those who stick to the Bible and teach Christianity.

Geoffrey Brooking 
Havant 

Long lost brother

Dear Editor 
I am looking to find James Malachy O’Neill, the brother of an elderly Irish gentleman. 
James (called Jimmy by his family) was born in Waterford Ireland in 1931. He left Ireland in Dec 1947 aged just 16 and his 
brother has not heard from him since. 
 Frankie, now in his late 70s, always thought that they would make contact once their lives had settled, but such was not the case. 
Time passes and when you're young you sometimes think that people move on without you and that you are somewhat forgotten, 
but Frankie has looked for many years and is desperate to find Jimmy. 
 I appeal to anyone who knew James (Jimmy) Malachy O’Neill or knows him now or any of his family, 
to please give them my email or address so I can make an old (ish) man very happy. 
 
Hazel Weldon-Mack
Dublin, Ireland

Move on, Harry

Dear Editor,
When I resigned from a job there was usually a morning tea, a few platitudes and occasionally a gift voucher. I never got to keep the company car, the company credit card, the work title, nor any personal assistants, not that I ever had any of these as a teacher. You aren't doing too badly after you resigned Harry. Time to move on with your own life and family in a new country.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Minute's silence

Dear Editor, 
March is usually a month in our calendar that is hopeful of the spring and summer to come. But this year March holds a different significance, marking the anniversary of when the UK first went into a nationwide lockdown. 
The last twelve months have been challenging for so many and as a charity dedicated to caring for people at the end of their life and supporting the bereaved, Marie Curie has witnessed the impact of the pandemic first-hand. While we can start to see glimmers of hope and lockdown easing, millions of people have been bereaved, many unable to properly say goodbye to loved ones or grieve with the support of friends and family. 
That's why Marie Curie and over 60 organisations are leading a National Day of Reflection on Tuesday 23rd March, one year since the first lockdown, to remember those who have died during the pandemic, from any cause, and to show support for anyone who has been bereaved. 
On this day, we would like to invite your readers to join a minute's silence at 12 noon. We also hope readers will also take a moment to reach out to someone they know who's grieving and at 8pm to take candles and lights out on to their street for a minute’s remembrance. 
As relentless as this crisis has been, it has also shone a light on the courage, resilience and solidarity of the nation. People have put their normal lives on hold for the good of the many. We trust an annual day of reflection will continue to support those who need it most.
To find out more about the National Day of Reflection visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/day-of-reflection

Claire Collins
Marie Curie Bereavement Coordinator, Hampstead Hospice