• Forget Rio, our doctors and nurses deserve gold medals

Since becoming an octogenarian a year or so ago this wrinkly old body of mine is beginning to moan a bit and demanded a visit to A&E on Friday last.

While I was there I met people, just like me, who were looking forward to the weekend and, no doubt, people who, just like me, have their own personal worries to cope with before having to look after their patients, something more should consider before they moan and groan about their treatment in hospital.

My doctor had phoned Colchester General Hospital before I went but on arrival I did meet a bit of confusion.

But, hey, I was looked after in the most courteous manner by all the staff I met during my stay.

The problem I have was completely looked into and I left with a bag of pills and a smile on my face.

I am not an angel but, god forbid, some of the patients I saw really did need a swift kick up the you know what.

As I write this Mo Farah is on TV being presented with a gold medal at the Olympic Games.

He had fallen flat on his face, but still managed to get himself up and go on to win.

No doubt there are times doctors and nurses perform such acts every day and in my eyes merit a gold medal.

I wish them and the hospital my best wishes for the future.

Tony Ashby Hedge Drive, Colchester

  • Time to tackle town centre traffic

At a recent consultation about the aborted Lexden Road bus lane scheme I was told by an Essex County Council representative we have to think 30 years ahead.

This may be so, but I wish the council would use the same yardstick regarding the town centre.

No action, it seems, is being taken to relieve High Street and Head Street of traffic.

Ideally we should rid these streets of traffic altogether, but I do appreciate this may not be possible in the short term.

One of the main problems seems to be traffic using the town centre as a through route.

To prevent this I suggest a “right turn only” plan.

This would involve traffic other than buses and taxies having to turn right from Head Street into High Street and likewise from High Street into Queen Street and St Botolph’s Street into Osborne Street.

The route out of town would then be via St John’s Street and Crouch Street East only.

Some tweaking may be necessary to this basic idea.

The barrier erected at the entrance to Culver Street West during pedestrian only hours is an embarrassment.

It comprises tatty plastic panels held together with black bin bags.

I understand works are awaited by the county council to reinstate the metal posts and would suggest these works are carried out as soon as possible.

A council operator advised me the plastic panels are strewn around by the night time fraternity on occasions.

The High Street market continues to disappoint.

On Saturday there were six empty stalls, despite there being a reduced number of stalls erected.

Where are the traders on your waiting list Tim Young? It’s time you admitted that this project has failed.

To reinforce this view there were some ten or so traders in Culver Street West.

Clearly they prefer to trade in this area rather than High Street where the traffic fumes are a health hazard to both stall-holders and customers.

Norman Bailey Cambridge Road, Colchester

  • We must get men’s health message out

Some months ago I wrote about concerns for men’s health.

Therefore it is good news there is to be a free men’s health check day at the Harwich and Parkeston football club. Details on chaps.uk.com.

Being a man is such a risky thing as we ignore the obvious and think we are indestructible. Ignorance is our worse enemy.

I am trying to get the message out on Facebook and email.

The trouble is this will likely only reach established locals.

However there are a lot of new people in the town and who probably do not have cultural links and local social networks. They may not read the local paper.

This is what was once was called a hard to reach group.

I do not know of there any liaison officers or groups who get can the message out, if so, please do.

Taking an opportunity I introduced myself to one of the new London residents in Parkeston, had a very interesting chat and hopefully we can act as a conduit.

We don’t get much for free but I took the opportunity to join a writing group. I can strongly recommend it.

It is great to be with a group of people who are respectful and supportive. When one writes you put yourself out their and you need constructive criticism to improve and learn.

In the wider world I have found rudeness, abuse and shouting has replaced debate and questioning.

Bill Davidson Parkeston