Dispel myths (From Malvern Gazette)

Dispel myths

10:29am Friday 3rd August 2007 in Letters

Again, Worcestershire has been hit by flooding due to unseasonal rains.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to correct a few myths?

I own a fairly heavily modified 4x4, which runs (legally) on veg oil and is therefore quite green. Seeing the chaos the weather was causing on my journey home from work, I called a friend, attached my recovery strops, and we went out to see if we could help anyone out.

First was Mayfield Road, where we passed a few cars which had made it through the flood and subsequently died. They'd been abandoned. Shortly afterwards, we came across a lad in a Vauxhall who'd broken down just out of a flood in Sherrards Green. He was very grateful when we towed him home. Shortly after this, we were flagged down by a young lad and his girlfriend who'd got into trouble in a fairly deep flood in North End Lane. We were again able to get their car to dry land at their friends house. We wanted no payment for this. It was enough to be able to get these folks out of a hole, and hopefully do something to redress the unfair and misinformed opinions levied against 4x4 owners.

So, the point of this letter? Please don't tar us all with the same brush. 4x4s are not the cause of global warming, fuel price increases, or the death of baby bunnies. These are media myths directed at a soft minority target. 4x4 owners are not monsters with no social conscience. My vehicle is 14 years old, and thus is very green in terms of its low demand of new resources. It is serviced properly, so requires new parts infrequently. It is powered by veg oil and thus is very green in terms of emissions. Finally, it, as demonstrated tonight, is practical and useful too, in helping others get to where they were going in very difficult conditions.

A G McNally, Lower Chase Road, Malvern