Point missed

MR Wrigley’s recent criticism of Operation Conifer seems to have missed the point. The enquiry was not solely about Mr Heath. It was based upon national advice given to police on how to deal with non-recent child abuse investigations concerning persons of public prominence.

It states: the role of police in an investigation into a deceased person should be focused on: Establishing the facts of the case, identifying offenders, whether deceased or not, bringing any living offenders to justice and preventing further harm.

In 2014 a retired police officer inferred that Wiltshire Police was complicit in covering up alleged child sexual abuse perpetrated by Mr Heath. Had they not investigated they would no doubt have been accused of a further cover up. Mr Wrigley states that it is a waste of money to ‘chase ghosts’ (Mr Heath I assume) but clearly it wasn’t just about him. It was suggested that others were involved or complicit in the alleged offences. Some might be still alive. Police have a duty to investigate in case the others pose a risk of harm to other children.

Another point about the so-called waste of money; research by the NSPCC shows that, apart from destroying lives, child abuse is a very costly business for the state. Abused children invariably do not fare well and many depend on costly support services for the rest of their lives. The main point is that the impact of abuse lasts a lifetime and no one should put a price tag on any investigation that seeks to eliminate or prevent that.

Anthony Griffin, Salisbury

Coach joy

I’M really pleased to see that Salisbury City Council and the Salisbury Business Improvement District are going to continue the Coach Ambassador scheme. The fact that, in only 11 weeks, over 1,300 coaches were recorded as visiting, with the majority staying over three hours, shows how important coach tourism is to the economy of the city.

The city is fortunate that a close-to-the-ring-road, ‘hidden-away’ coach park, with easy pedestrian access and which is popular with coach drivers exists. Imagine what could happen if the high number of coaches visiting throughout the whole year lose the convenience of being able to park so centrally and are decanted onto the busy city roads. Of course, this could still happen if the Maltings redevelopment plans go ahead and the Coach Park site is built on.

I hope Salisbury City Council will remember the value to the city of the coach park on its present site when the anticipated consultation and subsequent planning application come before it. It has been suggested that this could happen very soon.

John Cutland, Wilton

Little angels

MAY we, through the offices of your newspaper, thank all those who took part and attended the first Salisbury Angel Festival in the United Reformed Church in Fisherton Street last week.

The imagination and creativity of the 40 schools, churches, organisations and individuals who took part was most impressive.

Although the footfall was a little less than we had hoped the connection with the community was most rewarding.

The children who took part in the young persons concert demonstrated the quality of the local musical talent we enjoy and was greatly appreciated by the audience.

Proceeds from the festival are being shared between our church and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Airbase appeal.

Ted and Christine Haines, Festival organisers, Salisbury

It’s just nature

MS Lancaster (Postbag, October 26) complains about the state of the river with weeds proliferating. She does not realise that the banks are deliberately left by the Wildlife Trust to grow native wild plants as these support insects and other wild life. A tree growing in the river is an ideal shelter for waterbirds. The beauty of Salisbury is that countryside comes right into town, and nature can be a little untidy.

Helena Wright Salisbury Bag thanks I JUST wanted to say that after all the negative things that are said about Salisbury there are still some wonderful people living in and around it.

On Friday, October 20, I did my weekly shop at Waitrose in Salisbury and after loading groceries into my car I returned my trolley to one of the trolley parks and very stupidly left my handbag hanging on the front of it. I drove all the way to home to Harnham where I realised what I had done.

My husband drove me back to Waitrose as I was naturally in an upset state. When I got there I was truly astonished to find that some very kind person had taken the trouble to hand it in.

I had been going over in my mind all the things that were in my bag that would need to be reported lost, bank cards, drivers licence, bus pass, membership cards. My glasses and my iPhone were also in there, and all the other things that women carry around in their handbags.

I cannot tell you how relieved I was, so a massive, massive thank you so very much to you. I asked if the person who handed it in had left their details so I could send a personal thank you but was told ‘no’, so I am hoping that you will see this and know that you have restored my faith in humanity.

Sue Rebbeck, Salisbury