readers' letters - April 20

The recent cold weather, coupled with the announcement that we could be running out of gas, illustrates quite clearly that being mostly dependent on foreign sources for this vital energy commodity is fraught with potential dire consequences for us all. It is all the more frustrating to realise that, while we may fret about this scary situation, we are sitting on a source of fuel that would ‘keep the home fires burning’ for decades to come – I mean, of course, shale gas.Now before the anti-fracking brigade reach for their pens or protest banners, let me add that I am one of the first to admit that there are problems associated with getting at this source of fossil fuel, as there has always been when man attempts to wrest Mother Nature’s bounteous treasures from the earth.However, history has shown that there can be little reward without some risk attached, which we should be prepared to accept for the reassurance of keeping warm and hot dinners on the table. Yes! Without reservation we should continue our search for cleaner and greener ways to ensure that those home fires are never extinguished. However, to meet an ever-growing demand and with the best will in the world, this idealistic source of energy can only supply a relatively small percentage of our total requirements. The time has come to be realistic. Either we can hope that existing sources can continue to supply our needs, or we can tap into this seemingly limitless source of power until green technology reaches the point where our total demands are met. There is a further option, but I’m afraid my wood-gathering days are far behind me. Derek RogersonBamber Bridge

chorley fcAn over thetop responseRe: Broadcaster banned over ‘sexist’ remark (LP April 11). Now I know that the P.C. brigade has taken over the planet. Now you are guilty until proven innocent on the basis of one complaint and hung out to dry for it. This is not even a matter of public opinion. One person reported Mr Livesey and that was not even the person against whom the remark was directed. In fact, the Daily Telegraph, on the following day, ran the same story and asked the complainant for her response and she said that she did not know what they were talking about. Even if Mr Livesey’s remark was considered offensive, the referee herself has, apparently, not made any complaint and I would bet that, as a referee, she has heard a lot more offensive remarks. The draconian measures taken by Chorley F.C and Chorley F.M. are totally disproportionate to the perceived offence and to hide behind so-called regulations as an excuse smacks of running scared and does them no credit whatsoever. By this treatment of a loyal, dedicated supporter, who has, voluntarily, given valuable service to both the club and the station is shameful and is letting down the town. Presumably, if a male referee was told that he should have gone to Specsavers and one person complained that this was mocking the visually impaired, the same punishment would be meted out. What next? The thought police? George Orwell must be laughing in his grave.Ian HunterChorley languageStandards have fallenI certainly agree with Mrs Wren regarding the missing ‘t’s (opportuni*y etc) (LP Letters, March 29). This pronunciation is now noticeable amongst some television presenters as well as so-called celebrities. There are quite a lot of other changes creeping in too, even in BBC programmes. For example, ‘hour’ tends to gain a syllable (ow-wer) whilst ‘collect’ loses one (klect) as does ‘police’ (pleece). In written texts, certain words seem to have assumed a fascination which promotes their over-use. ‘Hub’ is such a word. Almost anything can now be described as a hub (Preston rail station has a ‘cycle hub’) and, if something has a poor reputation, just call it a hub and immediately it is to be seen as well-regarded. ‘Iconic’ is used so frequently that most of its attributions are bound not to be so. I wonder at ‘fairly unique’, it either is or it isn’t!A pet aversion of mine is hearing the Yesterday in Westminster programme presented with an abrasive accent. Somehow that programme should have a standard English presentation.It’s all a far cry from the BBC’s founding father, Lord Reith, who required standard English at all times, (and even required RADIO announcers, never seen, to wear evening dress after a certain hour!) Neil Inkley Walton-Le-DalehealthGet up and go for a walk

The clue in a recent crossword was ‘Abnormally fat’. The answer was ‘obese’ but unfortunately it’s not abnormal but becoming normal. It’s time to stop doing the newspaper crossword, get out of the chair and go for a walk.Dennis Fitzgeraldvia email