Right way to get compensation
I have no doubt that many of your readers were incensed to read about the prisoners who were financially compensated when they were forced to go "cold turkey" in an effort to wean them from their drug addiction.
This was my initial reaction before I realised the window of opportunity that was opening up before me.
If jailbirds can play the Human Rights card and claim redress for distress, then an upstanding tax-paying citizen like myself should have no problems in claiming for reduced living standards imposed by the removal of the 10p band of income tax.
Human Rights, a wonderful idea when first mooted, has now degenerated into a medium, not for the oppressed of society to escape unjust persecution, but for exploitation by anti-social elements.
OK, so this letter may be seen as a tongue-in-cheek attempt to expose the unfairness of such unpopular judgments, but one thing I am sure about is that the vast number of ordinary hard-working people would rather see senior citizens given a fairer deal than be continually frustrated at the unjustified financial benefits given to those who choose to live on the edge of mainstream society.
By the way, cold turkey is considered a luxury in our house.
Derek Rogerson, Bamber Bridge, via email

Get voice heard by 'spoiling' ballot
When, with turnout frequently falling below 30% in local elections, will the Great British public finally understand that, in the continued absence of a "None of the Above" vote, the only way to register your political protest is to "spoil" your ballot paper?
As far as I can see, the only way to radically change the way politics works in our country involves actually turning out to vote, writing "spoiled ballot" across your ballot paper and posting your protest vote in the ballot box.
At least this way, the politicians will finally understand that the electorate actually cares.
Our continued failure to turn out only means that we end up "electing" the candidates we deserve by default.
Rob France, Daisy Hill, Westhoughton

Big Ballet was a big success for most
As one of the small percentage of males in the audience for the Big Ballet at the Charter Theatre last Tuesday, I read the review in the Evening Post and was quite appalled at the stance taken by your correspondent.
I'm not sure what Ms Meaney expected to see, but she obviously didn't appreciate the fare on offer, unlike the vast majority of the audience, who applauded all the performers throughout with a high degree of enthusiasm. It may be true that the level of artistry and athleticism (by the ladies) was not up to the standard of the Bolshoi or Kirov companies, but to expect it even remotely to approach that standard was to miss the point entirely.
This was intended as entertainment and as such was a complete success. Rarely have I witnessed an audience leaving a theatre bubbling with such appreciation, and I believe that for Ms Meaney to belittle the efforts of the performers is an insult and a view definitely not shared by the majority of paying customers.
My wife and I certainly enjoyed the evening immensely and hope that no-one reading the review would be deterred from going to see any future performances.
It may not suit the purist but certainly entertained those of us who may not be quite as snobbish in our outlook.
John Blackburn, Bamber Bridge, via email

Mosque regulars could car-share
I am just reading the article about the Trustees of the Masjid-e-Salaam Mosque, and the extra car parking space they are looking at buying. It poses the question: "What more can they do?"
I live less than five minutes walk from the mosque, and I can tell you that in all the big cars driving down Watling Street Road heading there, I rarely see more than one person per vehicle.
Maybe the trustees need to put
together a car-share scheme, to
reduce the number of vehicles needing to park.
I live in Preston but work in Manchester, and me and my colleagues regularly share journeys to reduce the number of cars on the road.
David Matthews, via email

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