EDITOR’s COMMENT
IT IS great to see Waitrose stepping up and highlighting the issue of older people’s isolation during the festive period.
On the other hand it is also concerning we need to be reminded to check on vulnerable residents throughout the winter – have we really become such an uncaring society we would not automatically pop round and see how our neighbours are?
In times of severe weather, we often hear of elderly people being looked after by the community but surely this should just be a part of life, rather than something we do as a special occasion or because we are reminded to.
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I WISH to praise Mr Jacobs – headmaster of the Chase, his staff and the police for the amazing way in which they handled the worrying events on September 8.
When I heard that a student and teacher had been injured by an alleged assailant I immediately went to the school to offer my assistance where I found a situation which was calm and controlled.
I was advised that the staff had practised repeated for emergency situations in the hope they would never need it and I believe it was this training and experience that saw them giving a first class reaction.
Mr Jacobs spoke to parents to reassure them and gave them the option to take their children home. It is a testament to his leadership and handling of the situation that many chose to leave their children in school.
This summer the school and its students have celebrated its best ever exam results. I look forward to watching the school go from strength to strength.
Melanie Baker
District councillor – Chase Ward
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I DISAGREE completely with Lee Farley’s criticism of Helen Edmundson’s superb production of Therese Raquin at Malvern theatres.
The stage shifting was done with speed and efficiency, and was necessary to present the different aspects of Therese’s life, as were the costume changes, and surely the chunky furniture was symbolic of her prison?
The slow motion use of the boat in the drowning scene was very imaginative.
Lee Farley completely misses the point of the Thursday evening dominoes club, which helps to show the isolation of the visiting players, underlining Therese’s isolation, and showing how manipulative Madame Raquin is, wonderfully portrayed by Alison Steadman.
I felt the acting, characterisation, stage sets, and direction were all excellent.
Jan Mountford
Via e-mail
