Dispatches / letters

Dear editor, ON November 7 1805 Thomas Brassey was born in the parish of Aldford near Chester. He was to become the renowned and energetic railway builder who built, with his teams of navvies and skilled craftsmen, countless miles of railways and stations. One of these stations was at Chester in 1848. As a keen amateur local historian interested in railways and canals and how they were built and developed it amazes me how the government neglects our national heritage. This brings me back to Chester station – the gateway for many visitors to the city and north Wales. I have written and spoken to Chester’s Labour MP Christine Russell on several occasions but not a lot of improvements have taken place. In fact I definitely think since the situation at the station has got worse, ask any member of staff. The station is in dire need of improvement for passengers, staff and the city alike.When you compare the improvements made at Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly and other stations the situation is ridiculous. Yours sincerely John Wittingham FLORIDA WEST INDIES CANARY ISLANDS SERVICES COSTABLANCA FLORIDA, Kissimmee, luxury villa 01268-750062 INDIAN WELLS KISSIMMEE Villas 10 per cent discount on rates for RMT members. Beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa in Florida. 5 minutes drive from Disney. Exceptionally central location. Own pool with screen porch and overlooking a lake. Will sleep 8 and cot facilities are available. Tel. 01202 425510 www.indianwellskissimmeevil- las.co.uk THE NEW FOREST DEVON/CORNWALL VICTORIAN FARMHOUSE B&B plus s/c lodge, sleeps 4, also B&B. Set in farmland overlooking forest. Direct access to trailway. Small heat- ed pool. Pets welcome. Ideal for walking, riding and cycling. Close to New Forest. For brochure call 01425 472115 NORTH CORNWALL Comfortable cottages on ancient Moorland farmstead. Seven miles from Tintagel. Coarse fishing, superb walking, scenery. Pets welcome. 01208 850674 or www.eastrose.co.uk AIRPORT PARKING UK AIRPORT PARKING Five per cent additional discount for RMT members. www.flypark.co.uk/discount 0870 733 0545 Get a quote and see savings TOBAGO - 4 bedroom en-suite self-catering family holiday home. View of ocean. £500pw. Sleeps 6. Maid service. 020 7358 0575 or 07956 916682. FUERTEVENTURA. 2 bed- room apartment in El Cotillo. £250pw. Tel: 01524 418230 TRAVEL & HOLIDAY BENEFITS. Alba Family annual worldwide travel insurance only £72.75. Single trip from only £3.20. Tel: 0870 4607806 quote RMT. Airport hotels/15 days from £49 a couple. Tel: 0870 8444042 quote WZ587. Visit www. benefit-web.com for further discounts. For discount holidays, flights, car hire, loans, mortgages, lingerie, clothes, games and much more, visit: www.benefits.co.uk CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING COSTA BLANCA. Three bed- room house, golf course, pool, Torrevieja. 0208 308 0189 Why the left should reject the EU Constitution IN THIS pamphlet The Centre for a Social Europe sets out why the Left and trade unions should campaign for a ‘no’ vote in the referendum on the Constitution which will be held in Spring 2006 – just 18 months away. The pamphlet argues that the EU is becoming more focused on neo- liberal solutions to Europe’s problems with unemployment and public services.The Constitution misses the chance to tackle many of the failing policies of the EU like the Common Agricultural Policy, and it gives away more power in areas like economics, trade, foreign policy and civil liberties to Brussels. With the vast majority of the twenty-five new EU Commissioners coming from the right, it hardly makes sense to put power over the NHS and WTO negotiations in their hands – especially when Peter Mandelson is supposedly one of the six socialists! By campaigning for a ‘no’, the left can make the fight for reform of the EU a progressive cause. As Swedish Social Democratic MP Soren Wibe says in the foreword: “we strongly believe in interna- tionalism, be we oppose giving up control”. G The pamphlet is available from the Centre for a Social Europe,and is free to people who register as a supporter.Call 020 7222 9100 or email info@social-europe.org.uk for more details. Review Letter BRITAIN’S longest serving RMT branch secretary John Pegg retired in October after serving the Grantham branch since 1977. John started on the Railway in 1959 and after working his way up the ladder was a signalman in the old Grantham panel box until it closed. John stayed at Grantham on retention rate for 27 years. John was a regular AGM delegate and delegate to signal grades and branch secretaries conference, as well as being the local staff rep at Grantham since Adam was a boy, and delegate to the regional council for even longer. An exemplary trade unionist and socialist, his input will not end here as he will take an active role in the retired members section after a well earned holiday to see his daughter in Austraila. A well-deserved retirement Dispatches IIIIII Retired Warrington branch chairman Eddie O’Kane receives a gift from regional organiser Andy Warnock-Smith 34 To advertise contact Elaine Smith at Landmark Publishing Services Telephone: 020 7692 9292 Farewell to Eddie