Witney folk send messages to our troops (From Oxford Mail)

Witney folk send messages to our troops

5:39pm Monday 14th December 2009

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SHOPPERS in Witney were the latest to use the Oxford Mail’s video service to send a message of goodwill this Christmas to troops in Afghanistan.

We are recording messages from members of the public who wish to share their admiration for our soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Record your greetings with the Oxford Mail video team at Tesco, in Wallingford Road, Didcot, between 10am and noon tomorrow

and Sainsbury’s, at Heyford Hill, Oxford, from 10am to noon on Wednesday

All the videos are going live on this website, which will enable servicemen and women to access them from the war-torn country over the festive period.

Shoppers at Somerfield in Witney High Street on Saturday left a series of goodwill messages for the troops.

The store’s manager Chris Marlow said: “It’s very sad that there have been so many deaths this year in Afghanistan.

“It’s nice that shoppers are showing their support by leaving messages in this way and I would like to wish the troops all the best at this time of year.”

Joan Leech, 72, of Curbridge, near Witney, who left a video message for the troops, said: “I think the troops are very brave and are doing a good job.

“I don’t think we can pull out of Afghanistan yet. We have to sort the situation out.”

Anthony Proudfoot, 82, from Farriers Close, Witney, served with the Royal Navy on minesweepers in the North Sea during the Second World War.

He left a video message and said: “I think the troops in Afghanistan are doing a good job.

“They are brave men and quite a few of them come from this area.”

Thelma Bond-Smith, 76, from Standlake, near Witney, added: “It does upset me when I hear that soldiers have died in Afghanistan.

“It would be great if the conflict ended soon. I really do not feel that this should be our war.”

Noreen Tohill, 50, a waitress from Carterton, said: “I would like to send my best wishes to all the troops out there and to their families back home.

“It must be very hard for the families if their loved ones are away. I hope the troops all come home safe.”

Jo Dickson, from Brize Norton, said her husband was a Wing Commander in the RAF, based at Prestwick in Scotland.

She said: “My husband has been out to Helmand Province a couple of times and also served in Iraq.

“The troops definitely like to feel that the people back home are supporting them.

“It does upset me when I hear that soldiers have died in Afghanistan.”

Dave Wesson, 60, from Deer Park, Witney, who served in the RAF nursing service for 26 years until he retired in 1996, said: “They have to carry on for the sake of the troops who have already died.

“If we pull out now they will have given their lives for nothing.”

Jez Noble, 31, of The Crofts, Witney, added: “One of my friends was killed in Afghanistan. I would like to see the conflict end soon.”

Witney-based PCSO Emma Haines, 24, recorded a video message for her sister-in-law, Lance Corporal Rebecca Haines, 23, who is in Helmand Province. She said: “It’s nice for the troops to know it is not just their families supporting them – it’s everybody.”

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