Playsafe parks for happier kids
We all acknowledge how important it is that our children have opportunities to express themselves, exercise and build their confidence through taking acceptable risks.
When looking around Preston there are not many opportunities for youngsters to access these opportunities without it costing parents money or excluding their other children.
I think Preston should take a look at South Ribble.
They have two absolutely fantastic parks at Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge, where children of all ages can play and develop their motor skills along with getting fitter and taking 'acceptable risks' within a controlled environment.
We pay a fortune in council tax and I think it's time the children north of the Ribble were given the same opportunities as children to the south.
The initial, one-off investment would be well worth our money, and it would give children the chance to play constructively together, to stay safe and motivate them to get involved in other activities in our local communities. The knock-on effect would be a reduction in anti-social behaviour as well as happier and healthier children.
A responsible council tax-paying mother, north of the Ribble

Hounded out by car park scum
We visited Preston for a shopping trip recently, parking at the Guild Hall car park. On returning to our car at around 1pm, we – three adults – were followed, verbally abused and had objects thrown at us by three eight- or nine-year-olds with the foulest mouths and disgusting gestures.
Did they know us? No. Did we know them? No.
Needless to say, there was no one around in the form of security.
Will we be coming back to Preston? Not likely.
And when I tell anyone else who will listen to me, neither will they.
S.Kendal, address supplied

We don't need this flock, only our lamb
What a daft idea filling Preston with 320 fibreglass sheep. This council and councillors have been pulling the wool over our eyes for long enough already.
I spent three hours cleaning our area last Thursday but come Friday morning it was like a war zone because the recycling crews had thrown the rubbish and bins all over the place.
No wonder Preston is a mess in whichever direction you look.
Come on council bosses, earn your money – something you don't do at the moment.
Also get Preston bus station cleaned up. Some of the work practices are a disgrace. No more gimmicks for Preston – get some pride back into the city.
The only lamb we need is on the Proud Preston coat of arms and let's get back to meaning it.
J Rayton,Fulwood,Preston

Forgotten conscripts of Palestine conflict
When I read the letter and poem by Suez Canal zone veteran Chris Levett, it brought back vivid memories about the time I was stationed there as a teenager in 1943.
I was in transit in that god-forsaken place and it is something that will stick in my mind forever so will the posting I was sent to – the conflict in Palestine.
This bloody conflict at the time was given little or no publicity and many of the armed forces, including members of the women's services, were killed in action there.
Since handing over the mandate in 1948, the veterans, including the British Palestine Police Force, have formed the Palestine Veterans Association.
Every October we meet at Eden Camp at Malton in Yorkshire and veterans – we are known as the 'forgotten conscripts' – come from far and wide.
It was at one of these meetings that I had the pleasure of meeting the late Mo Mowlam, and what a pleasure it was. She made a speech and so did members of the services.
It was on this occasion that I was given a copy of a poem written by a person whom I only knew as Gerry and it was a fitting tribute to all who served there during the terrorist war, both the survivors and the ones who did not return.
F Jones, Ingol, Preston

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