What an excellent brief letter by David Gargrave titled ‘Threat to Settlement’ on Saturday, October 6. It seems to me, to be parallel to how our ‘powers that be’ see the physical health of its citizens.

For decades, corroborated scientific research and evidence has proven that appropriate physical activity levels and aerobic fitness to be two of the most important factors in the prevention of (and rehabilitation from) our biggest killer, coronary heart disease.

The fact that they also positively impact on obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, some cancers, mental health, bone health etc. etc. are massive bonuses.

Yet, I look out from my balcony, and see the totally neglected athletics track finally being bulldozed (previous pleas by myself and others to keep it reasonable fell on deaf/uncaring ears).

This just highlights a complete lack of care and political will to do something positive about individual and community health.

In both cases, the threat to our settlement and physical health, I’d love to know the thought processes that must go on in these decision makers’ minds, and what kind of moral compasses they try and sync with!

To conclude:-

  • Whilst out on the streets, the idolisation of the motor car is polluting us more every day and continuing to have massive negative impact on healthy environments.
  • The ‘powers that be’ want to take away more and more of the healthy buffer that is the countryside, something which also offers our best environment to keep active, get fit and save the NHS billions.
  • Further removing of opportunities (like athletics tracks) to walk, jog, run etc. and become fitter and healthier, and not providing initiatives to support these community facilities in the first place, are just retrograde steps – uncaring, health-ignorance in action!

Kevin Archer

St Michael’s Court, Faircross Avenue,

Weymouth