Readers' letters

The recent report in your paper about the child who died following an accident in New Longton did not state whether he was wearing protective head gear, a reflective gilet or whether the bike had lights (LEP October 10).

Some weeks ago a friend of mine, an experienced cyclist, wearing top-of-the-range protective head gear, had an accident whilst on the Guild Wheel circuit.

His helmet was a write-off, but luckily he survived, although he was hospitalised for neck injuries.

Now might be an opportunity to remind cyclists of the importance of wearing the correct head gear.

It may not be the most ‘trendy’ equipment, but if it saves a life or serious injury, surely it is worth it?

I do worry when I see children cycling in the dark and the possibility of accidents.

Grandmother of three teenage cyclists

Where are the petrol protests?

I note petrol prices are being increased 5p a litre this week.

There are various reasons given for the hike, such as higher oil prices. It is also the first of many hikes to come because of the Brexit vote in June.

I have no idea what will be the financial repercussions of the vote to leave the EU.

I’m not alone as our Government, together with our unelected Prime Minister, are totally clueless on this issue.

All the PM says is “Brexit means Brexit” but has yet to mention anything concrete as to what this will mean.

So who can we turn to voice any disapproval for the latest rise in fuel? Could it be the infamous Farmers For Action, who blockaded fuel depots and blocked our highways protesting about the hike in petrol?

This self-elected body proclaimed themselves protectors of the poor hard-done-to motorists some 15 years or so ago.

However, there was a Labour Government in power at that time and I doubt there will be any protests from the Farmers For Action this time.

Under a Conservative Government, their silence will be deafening.

Eamonn Cookson via email

Do as I say...
not what I do

Once more we see the Labour Party as what it is, an organisation that preaches socialism and equal opportunities but, when it comes to their personal choices, they become creatures of selective educational privilege.

Leading members of the Shadow Cabinet (Corbyn, Abbott, Chakrabarti, Thornberry... the list is endless) rant on about the horrors of selective, private and grammar school education but, at the same time, have used that system for their own and their children’s education.

Don’t get me wrong, every parent has the right to search for the best school to educate their child, but no politician has the right to deny that right to any parent when, at the same time, they use the system to educate their own children.

Hypocrisy and the old mantra “Do as I say not what I do” is what socialism is all about.

The saying “Some people are more equal than others” springs to mind.

Bernard Darbyshire via email

No UK bids for submarines

F.E. Sharpe (and others) appear ignorant of the fact that not one British steelmaker put in a bid for the work on the submarines (LEP Letters October 19).

The work was offered to European manufacturers but no bids were received from the UK.

Roger Bacon, Fulwood

Demolished in 1925 not 1960s

With reference to the article on Sir Robert Peel and his residency at Penwortham Priory in the LEP (Retro October 12), Penwortham Priory was demolished in 1925 – not in the 1960s.

The Rawstorne family lived in the priory from 1783 until it was demolished in 1925.

It was demolished after it went up for sale by auction, of which I have seen the auctioneers’ documents.

The priory was demolished after the sale, but I am told on good authority that a pledge was made it would not be demolished.

But after the sale, the lands it stood upon became the victim of ‘progress’ in the growth in population of Penwortham.

Houses were built on the priory lands that are in situ today. The actions following the demolition was a great loss, not only to Penwortham, but Lancashire too.

A building of such historical importance should never have been demolished.

The priory and lands belonged to the Fleetwood family, who resided there

right up to the dissolution

until 1749.

After the Rawstorne

family purchased the priory and lands, Sir Robert Peel took up residency, having loaned Lawrence Rawstorne

£40,000.

The saving grace of the priory era is that the Priory Lodge was removed, and rebuilt in Moss Lane, Hutton, where it remains in situ today as a private residency.

Andrew Atkinson

via email

Double buggy test in law

Regarding your article, Pavement parkers on a sticky ticket, (LEP October 15), perhaps the Lancashire Police spokesman could advise through your columns as to where the “double buggy test” is enshrined in law.

It has been used for many years by the local police in residential areas where parking on pavements is commonplace and a nuisance, yet no official answer regarding the legal position has ever been forthcoming. Also, given the current stance of the Preston police, if a shopper were to be hit and injured by a motorist parking up in the ‘shared space’ to nip to the bank, could it be argued the shopper contributed to any sustained injury by walking in the road as there is no recognised pavement area?

Inquisitive resident, Preston