‘It’s no wonder kids are obese – these are the reasons’

SO schools are now dropping frying of any type from their dinner menus and introducing healthier options in the hope for healthier children and less obesity.

Growing up in the 1950s our diet was more bland and very much reliant on seasonal vegetables and fruits.

The access to exotic foods (to us then) from all around the world was rare but now common.

When growing up, curries, Chinese fare, pizzas, kebabs, spaghetti bolognese, burritos and the like were alien to us.

The vegetables were own grown – fork to plate in 30 minutes.

The meat and bread came from the local butcher and baker.

I thoroughly enjoyed the school meals – in particular the puddings: jam roll-poly, chocolate, and spotted dick puddings were beautiful.

But with no TV or mobile phones, we played outside, went cycling and swimming, digging and maintained the garden and walked everywhere.

We were active and healthy.

Now with ready meals, mobile phones, computers, being run around in vehicles, and the inactivity for most children it is no wonder kids are obese.

D M Deamer,

Penleys Grove Street,

Monkgate,

York

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Tories to blame for run down armed services

TJ Ryder is very critical of Prime Minster Starmer for the problems of a ship in the Royal Navy sent to Cyprus (Letters, April 14).

The ship’s departure was delayed by three weeks by problems on board, and needed further attention on reaching Cyprus.

It is not Starmer who should be blamed for this.

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Western powers reduced spending on defence, taking advantage of the peace dividend.

In the past 20 years or so, the British armed forces have been hollowed out to save money. Both Labour and Conservative governments have been guilty of this. But I blame the Conservatives more because they have been in power for most of this time.

By tradition, the Conservatives are stronger on defence than Labour. But not recent Conservative administrations.

I believe that Starmer is aware of the problem, but has yet to persuade his MPs to spend more money on defence, and less on social care.

And the ship? Ships are large and complex, and need large and complex facilities for their maintenance. Perhaps TJ Ryder would be willing to pay higher taxes to this end.

David Martin,

Rosedale Avenue,

Acomb,

York

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Time to re-nationalise the Royal Mail

IN a recent letter to The Press Mr Rickaby quite understandably commented about the rising cost/slower delivery time of our mail.

In the next paragraph of that letter he once again complained stridently about our “ultra-left socialist” government and seemed to imply that it is the fault of the Government that the price of stamps is so high.

I ask him to consider that however appallingly terrible things have become in the USA, the US Postal Service is just that – a government-run service.

This is surprising in a country many of whose citizens equate “socialism” with “communism”, but nevertheless the cost of postage is far less than that charged by our privatised Royal Mail.

It is way past time the Royal Mail was re-nationalised. Sending letters and greetings cards should not have become a luxury to be enjoyed only by the well-off.

M Hardy,

Heworth,

York

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