When the prince visited our town
Dear Editor,
I wonder if anyone remembers?
I fleetingly met Prince Phillip just 9 days after my 19th birthday, as he was leaving Lansing Bagnall, Basingstoke, Hampshire, England at approximately 4.30pm on December 21, 1965 just before he got into his Alvis to drive away after visiting the factory.
Our workshop was only metres from the security gates.
I was with a group of girls I worked with and we were all waiting to see him off when he approached us smiling and asked: “Did you all have a good day?” 
We collectively said: “Yes Sir.” 
He then asked: “Are you all looking forward to the holidays?”
Again, we answered: “Yes Sir.” 
He laughed and turned, walked a couple of steps, got into his Alvis and motored out the gate. 
His arrival caused a bit of consternation as he came early and was turned away from the gates by security as they didn’t expect him to be driving his own vehicle. So he was ‘lost’ for over 20 minutes! 
When he returned at the correct time for the day, they finally let him in.
Where he had spent the intervening time after being turned away?
I don’t think we ever found out, but one can only imagine what he said to the Queen that day.
Jozef Goj, NSW, Australia

Basingstoke’s typhoid epidemic
Dear Editor,
In his article about the 1905 typhoid epidemic (Basingstoke Gazette, April 8) Ian Richards said that at the peak of the epidemic there were 1,022 cases, which rose to 1,084 cases overall and that 16 people died. 
Ian took those figures from Eric Stokes’ book, The Making of Basingstoke. Those figures are wrong. 
Eric claimed that they came from Dr Farrar’s report into the epidemic. Dr Farrar’s report is clear that 164 cases had been notified up to October 30. 
By the end of the epidemic 170 of those living in Basingstoke had caught typhoid plus another 10 or so who lived outside the town. Fifteen (not sixteen) of them died.
Bob Clarke, author of The Great Basingstoke Typhoid Epidemic (Basingstoke Archaeological and Historical Society)

Thank you message
Dear Editor,
The Gazette has previously reported how the Hampshire Court Vaccination Centre is highly rated, being ranked amongst the best in the country. 
In addition, readers have written to the Gazette to express their appreciation of the efficient and polite service they have received there. I am a volunteer at the vaccination centre and I wish to remain anonymous. I would like to thank the public for their overwhelming support for the professionals and volunteers who work at the centre. 
While volunteering at the vaccination centre, I am frequently overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the public. 
Earlier this week a couple visited the centre. Upon greeting them, they explained that they were not attending for vaccination. No, they had returned after vaccination to deliver homemade rock buns to the staff as a thank you. 
Moments like this really make me stop and think how wonderful humankind can be. The cakes were made by Angie. 
Angie, wherever you are, thank you so much for your kindness and support, and great baking! 
The cakes were very well received by the staff. On a previous occasion, a van from Bramley Bakery arrived. The driver pulled out several large trays of muffins, asked the vaccination centre staff to give them a good home, and promptly drove off. 
He’s made several visits just to demonstrate his generosity, not to receive a vaccine. Thank you, a huge thank you, Bramley Bakery. 
Others come for vaccination and hand out chocolates. This is so very kind. The supervisors go around sharing these chocolates with the staff to give them a mid-shift boost. In addition, there seems to be a whole army of bakers nearby who very kindly bring treats to the centre. 
The staff have a short break mid shift and always look forward to these welcome temptations. It’s great to see so many happy people coming for vaccination. 
Working with them is very uplifting and we certainly don’t seek thanks. However it’s a special moment when people go above and beyond to say thank you, so I wish to express my sincere thanks and offer my appreciation to these exceptionally kind people.
Name and address supplied

Manydown development
Dear Editor,
At the risk of being accused of political bias, although I have no political party membership or affiliation, I would like to commend to your readers some of the content of a copy of the “Eastrop and Grove Focus” which dropped through my letterbox yesterday. 
I’m sure the item will be included for those receiving this publication in their own wards. The article in question is by one of my local representatives, Councillor John McKay, who I have never met, and extolls the sustainability merits of a 250 home eco development in Wales. 
The houses apparently have built in solar panels, hot water thermal storage, battery storage capacity, earth source heat pump heating and a three phase electricity supply to facilitate the charging of electric vehicles. The houses don’t apparently burn anything.
Those of us involved at the inception of the proposals for Manydown more than 25 years ago were keen that the public ownership of the majority of the land should be used to try to break the mould of most house builder led developments. 
I well remember the representatives of the private landowner at Hatch Warren assuring the local authority that the development then being considered would be different and better, but once the house builders became involved it was just more of the same.
The Manydown development is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to really get to grips with climate change, and for the local authorities to use the powerful weapon of ownership to ensure that it is not just a development like all the others. Are they brave enough?
Bill Fergie, Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke

M3 J7 Warehouse decision
Dear Editor,
As anticipated, this [decision on Amazon warehouse] was decided on “jobs at any price” without mitigating emissions/climate warming.  There won’t be 1000s of jobs created as this will be an automated warehouse full of robots routing (mostly imported) goods.  All we can hope for is that jobs for both freight and home delivery drivers will continue until they too are unfortunately replaced by delivery drones and freight pods. Bring back manufacturing and “big event leisure” to Basingstoke to create well paid (not zero hours) jobs!
Malcolm MacInnes, Basingstoke
Opportunity to build back better
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you as I wholeheartedly agree with last week’s letter from Jim Gould, calling on current and future councillors to act now to save the Camrose. 
A community sports hub is 100 per cent needed and would be a fantastic common good for the people of Basingstoke. Beyond that I believe that the Council have a compelling moral responsibility to act. 
It was the Council and its officers who long encouraged the then football club chairman ‘Rafi Razzak’ to fruitlessly plan to transfer the football club to the Old Common - expecting to make a financial gain from the selling of the Council owned share of the Camrose.  
Thwarted by local objections and the loss of council support a frustrated Razzak’s reaction was to acquire the Camrose freehold, side-step the covenant restricting use to sport and plan to sell for ground for personal gain through property speculation. 
 For all the good Mr Razzak ever did for the football club, this would be eradicated by persisting with a selfish land grab, causing the greatest damage imaginable.  
Hopefully having once undertaken to protect the ground for football Mr Razzak will recognise it’s not too late to return the ground to football. With the council support there is a fantastic opportunity to build back better. Under Mr Razzak’s stewardship he bore a responsibility to take care of the club for current and future generations. This needs to be upheld!
Chris Shorey, Basingstoke