Be more considerate in the park
What a joy to be in Avenham Park on Sunday and to see the wonderful fountain sparkling in the sunshine. And what a shock to see a man with a child trying to get her to paddle in the water feature.
My husband wanted to say something but because we had two grandchildren and their friend with us, we decided not to speak.
Walking along the top of the park, we sat while the children enjoyed themselves. Looking down I saw two dog owners put their pets into the fountain to let them swim around.
Shortly afterwards, the same man had now got shorts on and the girl her swimming costume. He was trying to get her to go into the fountain.
People coming up the hill towards us remarked that someone should do something, so I decided to go down and politely tell him it wasn't a swimming pool and if the child slipped she might be hurt.
While not being rude, he told me he was taking care of her.
Moments later two young women asked me if I was working for the park authorities. I explained carefully that we all have a responsibility to speak out when things are not right.
After telling me I wouldn't like it if she told my grandchildren what to do, she seemed surprised when I said if they were doing something wrong, I would be happy for her to speak to them.
How sad that people believe it is their right to do what they want in the park and have never heard of respecting nice things.
Mrs Beryl Cotton, via email

Carers enjoyed very well-deserved break
Today I was one of approximately 80 unpaid carers from Chorley and South Ribble who enjoyed a day where our needs were put first by our local carers project.
Thanks to Carers First we enjoyed a variety of complimentary therapies, tai chi and water colour painting, and a wonderful lunch.
Unpaid carers save the country a fortune looking after family and friends. They work 24/7, 365 days a year, under immense physical and emotional stress.
Many are isolated, suffer financial difficulties and neglect their own needs.
I would like to thank all the staff at Carers First for arranging a fantastic day and Lindsay Hoyle MP for attending and taking the time to listen.
Cheryl Ledward-Lee, Buckshaw Village, Chorley

Relentless charity staff put people off
I write to describe the reason why I no longer feel happy or comfortable going shopping on Chapel Street in Chorley, an area full of great shops. Chorley Council has spent lots of money on paving to make it attractive and on Saturday I had every intention of pottering along, buying a snack and treating myself to something.
In the space of a few minutes I was approached by three high pressure promotional staff, intent on using emotional blackmail to persuade me into handing over my bank details. They were pestering people to sign up to monthly charity donations.
Yes they were polite, but relentless and unsettling. I asked the third one if he had noticed how deserted the street had become.
My relaxed mood was ruined.
I did not wish to linger and be accosted again and went home empty handed.
Each week it is a different charity, but sometimes the same staff. Do any of these organisations pay to be there? Are the shops on Chapel Street compensated for loss of revenue?
Over the years I have been involved in fundraising for many charities and local societies.
It is not permitted to shake collection tins at people, or to directly approach them for money.
So why is it that people can be harangued for their personal details?
I am told these people are called "chuggers" - charity muggers.
Estelle Bryers, Chorley, via email

Beyond parody
What a brilliantly accurate
mickey-take of "wannabe" talent shows Lancashire's Peter Kay provided us with on Channel 4 at the weekend.
The fact that it wasn't savage enough, in my view, is down to the fact that these awful programmes are now beyond parody.
Geoff Bridge, via email

Morbid adverts a nice little earner
I would guess that I am not alone in being sick of the countless offers of funeral insurance aimed at the elderly.
Although I am out of range now to qualify for these tempting offers, I cannot believe there are vast numbers of OAPs clutching their pension books and worrying about burial costs.
Who the hell cares?
Someone will do the honours if only for the sake of hygiene.
By the way, it seems that pushing insurance is a nice little earner for well known celebs who are already loaded, like Michael Parkinson, June Whitfield etc.
Will they ever stop raking it in?
H Bell (potential corpse), Penwortham

Add voice to British energy petition
How many members of the public want future British power supplies under foreign control?
Very few, I suspect. Because of this a petition has been started on the prime minister's website at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/britishheld/
I hope Evening Post readers leave their mark.
F E Sharpe, via email

Fast lane swimming not always possible
I am writing in response to "OAP" from Fulwood who commented on my recent letter regarding slow people in the swimming lane.
He does in fact have a genuine point in that fast swimmers should be in the fast lane, and when it is "lane only" swimming I always go in the fast lane.
This is ideal because I am swimming with people of a similar speed to me and there is no confrontation.
But lane only swimming is restricted at Fulwood and West View and due to my shift patterns I usually have to resort to swimming when there is only one lane available. Having only one lane most of the time is fair enough because people go to the pool for reasons other than to get fit, such as to socialise and relax.
OAP needs to realise that the slow, medium and fast signs only apply at certain times.
Robert Mowatt, Fulwood, via email

Great memories of Roebuck Youth Club
I was delighted to see the Looking Back photo of the Roebuck Youth Club gang, which was sent in by Sid Smith. I attended at that time, and knew them all.
There were various activities going on and it's just a pity the club no longer exists.
I met my late husband there, he was in the football team. The Isle of Man was the "in" place to go then, and I would like to go back in the near future.
I still see some of the Roebuck crew. Happy days!
June Wilcock (nee Gregg), Fulshaw Road, Ashton

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