Tradesmen who shun the work
Three months ago my mother contacted three local tradesmen. She wanted an open porch building on the outside of her house to replace an old wooden one that was past its best.
One of them arrived and quoted her a price there and then, the other two made their sketches and told her that they would "put a quote in the post in the next few days".
Despite several phone calls, and leaving messages on answerphones, no quotes have been received; neither have the tradesmen had the decency to return her calls.
Two months ago, she contacted two more local tradesmen. A tile is missing from her roof and there's a hole into the attic, and as she's given up on the idea of a new open porch, she's now decided that she'd like a new front door instead.
Once again, no one arrived when they said they would, and again, none of her phone calls have been returned.
Is this the way local tradesmen now treat potential customers?
I have to laugh... a few years ago we needed a painter and decorator to do mum's stairs and landing. There is a person just around the corner from where my mum lives and we decided to give him a call.
His wife answered the phone and asked who had recommended him to us: "No-one," I said, explaining that mum lives just a stone's throw from them.
"Sorry, he only takes recommendations," came the reply.
Why oh why have a signed work van on the driveway if he's not willing to take work it generates?
Disillusioned, Leyland (full name and address supplied)

Great to see useful goods not wasted
I was delighted to read the recent feature by Jenny Simpson on the number of useful items such as mattresses and washing machines that get taken to needy people in the Ukraine by International Aid Trust, based in Much Hoole, Preston.
This charity is doing a tremendous job. But I was struck by the fact that the goods they take across Europe, presumably to be used for a good few years, would otherwise have been destined for the rubbish dump.
What a shocking indictment on our throwaway society.
Perhaps the current economic crisis will persuade more people not to keep buying new things just for the sake of being fashionable or keeping up with the Joneses, but will make do with stuff that is still perfectly serviceable.
One thing is certain, we'd become a greener nation in the process.
At least, though, some people in the world are gaining from our folly.
Janet Davies, via email

Neuter cat to avoid unwanted litters
The Evening Post reports on yet another unwanted litter of kittens (September 6), this time discovered with their mother in a shed in Eccleston.
Cats Protection and other rescue groups receive daily calls about unwanted cats and kittens, yet we still hear the old misconception that "cats should have one litter".
There is no reason for any cat to have a litter of kittens. In fact pregnancy puts the female at risk of fatal diseases.
Cats Protection urges cat owners to make sure that their male and female cats are neutered, and
offers help towards the cost to people on low incomes.
For more details of the neutering scheme, contact Cats Protection Preston Branch on 01772 436885 or visit www.prestoncpl.com
Jeanette Greaves, Lostock Hall, via email

Make road safety a bigger priority
As a mother who has been bereaved following a road traffic accident, I find Hazel Harding's comment "Unfortunately there are times when young people are distracted and it leads to a tragedy" most offensive (Roads to ruin, LEP, September 23).
Yes, young people get distracted but how about taking measures to protect them if you recognise this fact?
For example, 20mph zones in all residential areas, more pedestrian refuges and more light controlled crossings.
LCC prioritises vehicles on the road and should class vulnerable road users such as children more highly.
Name and address supplied

Give your lifestyle extreme makeover
Ricochet, the makers of the BBC series Extreme Dreams with Ben Fogle, and Channel 4's No Going Back, are currently making a major new prime time series for BBC 1.
The series is looking for families who are struggling with the emotional and financial cost of the modern British lifestyle and who would jump at the chance to
escape the UK credit crunch.
We will be taking four British families to far flung and idyllic locations all around the globe - far removed from the stresses and strains of costly city living.
The locations aren't the kind of places you'll find on a package holiday tour.
The chosen families will learn a new way of life, going back to
basics as they go on a four-week crash course in living the simple life.
The experience will be a million miles from anything they've known, and will certainly test their resilience.
If any of your readers fancy the challenge, they should contact us on 01273 224817 or email
adventure@ricochet.co.uk to find out more.
Sophie Chandler, via email

Veil threat to seeing danger while driving
With regard to Edward Byrom's letter of September 9.
I could not agree with him more that it should be an offence for women to drive while wearing a veil. There can be no peripheral vision.
The law needs to be changed, but I don't suppose it will be.
Tony Jackson, via email

Financial rescue will not help taxpayers
The US government wants to intervene with a multi billion dollar package to save the American
financial services industry from meltdown. Without it, says President Bush, there will be untold misery for American families.
It certainly dwarfs our own government's rescue package for Northern Rock.
No doubt more of the misery Mr Bush speaks of would spread over here too.
Why have traders and speculators been allowed to run fast and loose with taxpayers' money across the globe?
Did no-one realise that bad times always follow good times and that throwing caution to the wind was bound to end in tears?
Our tears though, not theirs.
Name and address supplied

Climate changing in seasonal confusion
I seem to recall that summer
arrived in autumn last year too. Stand by for confused daffodils blooming in January, which will of course mean that spring has arrived in winter... again.
I really think it's time we shuffled the seasons around.
Observer, via email (name and address supplied)

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