Non-smokers kept in arena
Last Saturday we attended the Capital of Culture spectacular at the new Arena on the Albert Docks in Liverpool. The arena was wonderful and the Philharmonic orchestra fabulous.
We had lasers, fireworks and cannons. It was worth every penny.
But during the 20-minute interval, as we made our way to the exit to get some fresh air and to view the river, an attendant said: "You can only go out to smoke, nothing else!"
Assuming he was joking, we continued outside. We found ourselves carolled into a small area cordoned off by barriers. There, a few hundred people were smoking. The air was thick with smoke and very unpleasant. We tried to walk away but were stopped by a jobsworth.
"Are you smoking?" he barked. "No? Then you must go inside". We explained that all we wanted was fresh air. This, apparently, is against the rules. He claimed that no arena in the country would allow people to go outside in the interval. Is this true?
What is going to happen when we get a hot spell of weather?
Are these men seriously going to tell 10,000 people they can't go outside?
The man sitting next to me told me that he and his wife had arrived early but had forgotten something in the car. He was not allowed out to get it.
Are the inmates running the asylum?
Mrs Margaret Rey, Ingol, via email

Distinguished gates should be displayed
As a former student nurse at Preston Royal Infirmary in the 1970s I am saddened at what I consider to be the abuse of the former hospital gates.
When the Infirmary closed in 1987, with the transfer of services to Royal Preston and Sharoe Green, the gates were removed and restored at considerable cost. Later they were re-erected as a feature when the site was redeveloped. I believe that they have a preservation order on them.
Not only are they very decorative but also a lasting tribute to what was a very fine hospital.
They are now constantly used to display advertising banners for local stores - not a very dignified use for a pair of distinguished gates. I would appeal to the managers of these stores to leave the gates to be displayed in all their glory.
Name and address supplied

Grandparents kept away from children
As grandparents experiencing some legal and family difficulties concerning access to our grandchildren, we write to you in the hope that others in similar circumstances, will understand they are not alone. We have been searching for answers regarding grandparents' rights to be active members of the "family" and are involved with Grandparents Apart UK.
Under the guiding hand of its founder member, we are in the early stages of opening a branch of this registered charity in Chorley to cover the whole of Lancashire if possible.
We are concerned and loving grandparents with a particular interest in Parental Alienation Syndrome, where a child has been manipulated to become alienated from a targeted parent.
This is an area in children's everyday lives that requires serious consideration and recognition.
Just as every grandparent has a right to be heard and recognised, so every child has a right to be heard and protected from this type of mental abuse.
We cannot at this time, allow any publication of our names, address or telephone number.
This is the reason we ask all interested parties to contact the website for details of a contact source in Chorley. Please go to www.grandparentsapart.co.uk
We would appreciate your readers' support.
Caring Grandparents, Chorley (full names and address supplied)

Dreaded F-words
What is happening to the pronunciation of our English language? I am finding people on the television use words which start with "Th" as if they start with "F" as in "fink" instead of think.
I think it sounds dreadful.
Do the producers never correct these people or do they all want to speak like David Beckham?
Does anyone else agree with me or am I just a grumpy, old woman?
Mrs J Simmons, Riverside Avenue, Farington Moss

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