What is happening to the quality of life in Basingstoke?

A good society – one which is likely to generate less stress and mental illness – is one which is able to look beyond income and status, and consider and value aspects of life without total commitment to capitalism.

I note that Cllr Paul Miller has “little interest in football”, (together with other council colleagues). Nor have I. I have never been to an ice hockey match. I cannot sing and have never been part of a choir. I cannot draw or paint and have never exhibited a creative piece. I am not an avid reader and only make light use of libraries.

But what is clear to me is that the social welfare and overall well-being (including physical health) require a good balance of all these things. And to cap it all we have a government, (vigourously supported by our local MPs) playing games with the most basic aspects of our well-being when they are willing to mislead us regarding future local hospital provision and staffing.

Basingstoke is one of the fastest growing conurbations in the UK and requires improved facilities and if the likes of a local football club is not in place, with a proper supporting infrastructure, those young people who might become engaged either as participants or spectators may eventually turn their hands to less desirable “challenges“.

I plead with our community leaders to look beyond their own immediate circles of interest and work to serve as broad a spectrum as possible. This means enhancing, not restraining or closing down what we already have.

Martin Biermann, Chineham