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Dear Editor,
I was amused to read that Mr Tom Hawksworth has started a campaign to draw attention to the ‘crashing value of the pound’; I think all of us whose incomes are Sterling based have noticed what is happening. The reason we are no longer enjoying beneficial rates of exchange is because the UK base rate is now more in line with all other major currencies. For decades, UK expatriates have enjoyed the benefit of artificial exchange rates. Long before the introduction of the Exchange Rate Mechanism, the pound appeared to be a strong currency but only because deposits in Sterling earned more than in any other major currency - US dollars, Deutschmark, Yen, Canadian dollars, Swiss francs and a few others - so holders of these currencies converted them into Sterling thus creating an almost permanent demand for the pound: this meant that Brits holidaying, or going to live abroad, were receiving more pesetas etc, than they really should have.
Now that the UK base rate is heading towards that of the euro, Sterling is finding its true level and if The Bank of England lowers the rate again - as seems likely - then Mr Hawksworth and thousands like him will find less euros in his pocket. So, I suggest that Mr H stops whingeing and if he finds the new condition not to his liking, he could go to where the problem doesn’t exist, vis-a-vis the UK.
Jack Haggarty Alicante
May 08,2008 Tribute to Humphrey
Recently we saw the passing of the hugely talented Humphrey Lyttelton; broadcaster, musician, bandleader and cartoonist. Most people will remember ‘I’m Sorry I Haven't a Clue’, his jazz performances with his band and his presentation of the ‘Best of Jazz’ record programme.
In the late sixties, I was fortunate to be the producer of his other radio show, ‘Jazz Club’, a weekly one-hour-forty-five minute programme of British bands playing ‘live’ sets. Humph was a lovely man, an ideal presenter and colleague; he knew everyone past and present on the jazz circuit. One of my many memories of working with him encapsulates his awareness of the current jazz scene, his humour and his loyalty.
We were in the middle of a show when, to my surprise, he pulled a letter out of his pocket and started to read it to the audience. Humph told them it was a complaint from a listener. I started to worry about what was coming next. Angrily, the listener asked if Humph was ‘responsible’ for choosing the musicians taking part in the programme each week. “No,” said Humph, “the person responsible for choosing them is my producer, Roger Eames.” I felt ever-so-slightly betrayed, but after a brilliantly timed pause, Humph continued: “But if the choice were mine (another pause) the choice would be exactly the same.” The rascal!
Roger Eames
May 08,2008 Enough, Leapy!
Dear Editor,
Leapy Lee’s article was unnecessarily virulent, an outpouring of his prejudices. I thought there was a law of libel? Whatever we may think of Mohamed al Fayed, we cannot judge a man who had intimate knowledge of Diana and her problems. It is even more ill befitting to pen such self-righteous venom covering all the Middle East without acknowledging how long its people were subjected to provocation from Western powers through our arrogance, greed and conceit, ignoring the genocide of Palestinians.
As for the comments re Beijing, they show ignorance, arrogance and provocation. Let me remind Leapy that there are sweat-shops in New York! Wake up and try to seek the other side of a story. Most of his criticism of the Middle East applies far better to the USA and Bush/Blair’s blatant lies.
A Taylor Moraira
May 08,2008 EU dreaming
Dear Editor,
With some 60% of trade from the UK involving other EU countries, the question of Britain joining in the single currency is now bound to enter the political arena. With the demise of the pound Sterling and its long-term future in doubt, perhaps we can have a reasoned debate on the long-term prospects of the EU or whether the UK should plan to leave Europe altogether and align itself with the US and introduce the dollar as the UK currency.
In the present global market NO country can stand alone.
Alan Page Alicante
May 08,2008 More than a sea view
Dear Editor,
[This letter in response to Sr Jorge Martinez Prefasi (Euro Weekly 1189).] As a friend of your beautiful country, allow me to call you Jorge. Those whingeing Brits must be very annoying; send them all back home. Who cares that they have residencias, pay taxes, social security, rates and basura regularly? Who cares that they have bought property, opened businesses, providing services and employment? After all, they are only visitors here; they have no rights.
I’m sorry that your real cultural experience was with lager louts. I’ve had many cultural experiences here, too, like animal cruelty, double parking and the postal system, and they were all very real. Jorge, you have opened my eyes to more than a sea view; I didn’t know that the rest of the Europeans are all hydrophobic (including the Spanish).
Now greedy desire is an international thing and there’s certainly been plenty of it in Marbella over the last few years. I’m impressed, Jorge. You appear to have researched the history of Britain. Perhaps you have researched the history of Spain? Does Conquistadores ring a bell, a big gold one? At least when Britain colonised other countries they left plenty of the indigenous people standing; that’s why so many have British passports today.
Have you met any Aztecs, Incas or Mayan people lately? Spain was dragged into the 21st century by a large EU gravy train and perhaps the Brits helped as well. So, chill out, Jorge, and lay off the fags (cigarettes)!
