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| Leominster's welcome for Bulgarians | Leominster's welcome for Bulgarians |
| (2 months later) | |
| You write of "Bulgarians taken aback by British xenophobia" (Do you mean us?, 2 February). On 5 June 2006 you devoted a page to east European workers near Leominster. It was a horror story of bad accommodation, lack of facilities, poor pay, passports lodged elsewhere and workers being misled. A group of concerned local people did something about it. We set up a drop-in centre with free refreshments and literature in various languages, English classes and useful contacts. Since then conditions have improved dramatically, there are fewer workers and they are predominantly Bulgarian. We organise various activities for and with them, including suppers, barbecues, concerts, visits and the now annual Bulgaria v Leominster football match. All this has been done with financial and other support from employers and local council. It's clear that most have no wish to stay here, merely to earn enough money to make life easier back home. (Shades of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.) Friendships have been formed and there must be many Bulgarians with happy memories. So much for xenophobia. Joseph Cocker Leominster, Herefordshire | You write of "Bulgarians taken aback by British xenophobia" (Do you mean us?, 2 February). On 5 June 2006 you devoted a page to east European workers near Leominster. It was a horror story of bad accommodation, lack of facilities, poor pay, passports lodged elsewhere and workers being misled. A group of concerned local people did something about it. We set up a drop-in centre with free refreshments and literature in various languages, English classes and useful contacts. Since then conditions have improved dramatically, there are fewer workers and they are predominantly Bulgarian. We organise various activities for and with them, including suppers, barbecues, concerts, visits and the now annual Bulgaria v Leominster football match. All this has been done with financial and other support from employers and local council. It's clear that most have no wish to stay here, merely to earn enough money to make life easier back home. (Shades of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.) Friendships have been formed and there must be many Bulgarians with happy memories. So much for xenophobia. Joseph Cocker Leominster, Herefordshire |
| • I have lived happily in Bulgaria for eight years. I am appalled by the ignorant comments about Bulgarian people in the British media. They are kind, helpful and caring, and their only wish is for a better life – and they are prepared to do any job to achieve their goal. This is not the case with many English people who are capable of working, but choose to sit at home watching the television all day, while thinking it's their given right to take money from the government. Jane Charles Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria | • I have lived happily in Bulgaria for eight years. I am appalled by the ignorant comments about Bulgarian people in the British media. They are kind, helpful and caring, and their only wish is for a better life – and they are prepared to do any job to achieve their goal. This is not the case with many English people who are capable of working, but choose to sit at home watching the television all day, while thinking it's their given right to take money from the government. Jane Charles Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria |
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