Page 12 - Phonebox Magazine December 2009

HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters
Dear Editor
Emberton Country Park is a facility that the local people should be proud of. It’s enjoyed by the joggers and cyclists who like a little exercise, and by those who like a little relaxation sitting on the banks of the lakes awaiting a bite at the ends of their lines. Then there are many of all ages, from those who are yet to start school to those who are well past retirement age, who enjoy watching and feeding the birds in the Park. The most popular spot being by the two benches at the far end of the Park.
I wonder how the bird feeders would feel if they were to know of the fate that awaits some of those birds as they leave the confines of the Park. Directly in their flight path, on the far bank of the river, under the shade and camouflage of a forked tree, a hunter occasionally awaits them.
In this day and age there can be no good reason to gun down any bird born and bred in the wild. Certainly not for food. That may have been a justifiable reason for the rich landowner of a hundred or so years ago. But not in this day and age with the wide variety of foods available in the high street.
The only reason to gun down those birds as they are about to leave the sanctuary of the Park is to satisfy the blood lust of the hunter.
What must be a matter of concern is that from the cover of that forked tree the birds can only be a target whilst they are still over the Park. As a taxpayer paying for the upkeep of Emberton Country Park, and that includes the protection of all flora and fauna within the confines of the Park, I object most strongly to the gunning down of any bird whilst it is still within, or even close to, the boundaries of the Park, whether it be on land or in the air.
One dreads to think of the agonies suffered by the birds only wounded by the countless tiny pellets as they wait whilst still alive to be picked up by the gun-dog. It is difficult to think of a more cruel and sadistic way to end the lives of our wild life.
Footnote to “Amazing Disgrace” November Phonebox
Mr Bacchus feels aggrieved that the role played by Quakers in the anti-slavery movement goes unrecognised.
“Our received schoolboy history was written by protestant historians who could not bring themselves to give credit to a dedicated group of (Mostly) Quakers.”
This may well be the case but I think the greater casualty is the unrecognised role played by black slaves in their own liberation.
With more than 500,000 slaves the French slave colony of Saint-Domingue (now Haiti) was the “jewel in the crown”, the most profitable and largest slave colony in the world, producing more than all the other slave colonies put together.
Led by the black slave Toussaint L’ouverture, a slave uprising developed into a revolution. Slaves first overpowered the cruel planters. The untrained former slave army went on to defeat what was then the largest expeditionary force Bonaparte ever dispatched from France. They also defeated Wellington’s British army, whose intent was also to re-establish slavery on the island.
Slavery was abolished and never returned to Saint- Domingue. Not as a result of any parliamentary legislation.
It was the turning point against the slave trade, yet the story of Toussaint L’ouverture and the slave revolt remains largely written out of our official history of the period.
J.B., Olney
The Editor, Phonebox
We have in the November issue another ‘Baccanalian’ diatribe criticising John Newton for his activities over two hundred years ago, purportedly to have continued to have received some benefits from slavery. Baccus also suggests that the Sierra Leonians might change the names of their communities from Freetown, Wilberforce, Newton etc.
I have been to Newton and met with the residents and, over subsequent time, studied the various newspapers including satirical ones and at no time seen any evidence of their desire to alter the names. Their legislation contains much which pre- dates the Independence in 1961 and is used by them to continue their democratic way of life and forms the basis of ongoing reforms.
I would also challenge Geoff Baccus to publish a clear confirmation that he himself does not continue to benefit in some way
from both past and present ‘slavery’ present in the income from investments and pension, food and clothing materials.
Dear Father Christmas
I doubt that many of us could truthfully declare that our lives do not contain some input from individuals oppressed by poor conditions of living, health and employment.
I would also offer the following article, recently gleaned from the Sierra Leonian press, which makes reference to John Newton in a favourable light and also gives a Sierra Leonian view of their history.
Perhaps Mr Baccus might consider replacing his apparently cracked bathroom mirror and see himself as others see him!
Brian Lintern, Olney
The Torchlight newspaper article, by Presidential Press Secretary Sheka Tarawalie, dated Friday 28th August 2009, is available at our website: www.phoneboxmag.co.uk/Freetown
Would you like a letter sent to you from Father Christmas? He is visiting our offices again very shortly and promises to reply to any letter that is sent to him (care of us)!
Drop a line to Santa at the address below and you will receive a personal letter back from him – for free!
But don’t leave it until the last minute – or you may not receive his reply in time for Christmas.
Write to:
Salvation Army visit the White Hart, Sherington
On the 18th December at 7.30pm, the Salvation Army Band will be playing at the White Hart in Sherington. To add to the festive atmosphere, there will be mulled wine, pork rolls and a snow machine.
Father Christmas c/o Phonebox Magazine Unit 2 Stanley Court
12 Phonebox Magazine
DON’T FORGET YOUR STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE
Olney
Bucks MK46 5NH