Readers' letters - April 30

With politics and politicians of every persuasion in every corner as the local elections approach, I suggest we have a bit of light relief... with some daytime television.

No matter how much there is to do, or to occupy you, it has a tendency to permeate your life if you have young kids, are a pensioner, a carer, unemployed or in poor health. I myself can tick three of these boxes.

So, what’s on offer? Firstly there’s Lorraine Kelly’s show. She always politely concludes interviews with celebs (usually promoting a book or tour) with “always a joy”, no matter how monosyllabic or arrogant.

Then there’s Phil and Holly presenting This Morning, whether or not they’re the worse for wear after a heavy night at the awards.

What about Wanted Down Under? To live in sunny Australia or rainy UK? No-brainer!

How about some bargain hunting with the guy who was first (or nearly first?) out of Strictly? Or antique analysis with the perma-tanned David Dickinson?

Oh, and Loose Women, or should I say ‘Loud Women’? Or Escape to the Country, invariably featuring middle-class retirees with the kind of money a lot of us could only dream about.

There’s plenty of drama to be had with Doctors although God knows no overworked and cream-crackered GP would have the time for all their extracurricular activities.

There’s the house, garden and beauty makeover shows too. In my case, where would they start with all three?

To challenge the brain cells, there’s Tipping Point and Pointless.

Oh, and mustn’t forget the Jeremy Kyle show, whose participants are not noted for their finesse or intellect.

If you want nearly an hour of peace and tranquillity, forget it, but if you want enough roaring and shrieking to challenge the Richter scale, welcome aboard.

Mustn’t leave out the acid-tongued Judge Rinder either.

The way he bellows “Talking” at an unfortunate who dares to interrupt him must’ve woken many a snoozing pensioner with a start.

He certainly scared off three pigeons in our back garden.

Still, at least gone are the days of the test card featuring the girl playing noughts and crosses with the daft clown that looked like he must’ve been on something.

This was accompanied by the kind of piped muzak that even the bank would reject outright when putting you on hold.

Suddenly wall-to-wall politics is starting to look preferable.

Still, I’d be the first one to moan if the telly conked out or the ‘leccy’ went off, sad though it may sound.

Oh well, such is life. Happy daytime viewing.

CM Langan

Address supplied

roads

Do they care about holes?

It would seem that Lancashire Highways have learned nothing, judging by the work done to mend a few potholes.

In former years, the holes were filled and then the edges were sealed with hot liquid tar. This largely prevents water seepage into the tarmac, thus preventing expansion due to sun heat, or freezing, which then lifts the tarmac, allowing more water in and repeating the damage. Heavy rain then washes away the loose tarmac and leaves a hole, which gradually gets bigger and bigger.

The process in the few holes which have been repaired does not include sealing these days, and money and time is simply wasted.

Is this a question of lack of funds for the tar needed, or does the County Chief Road engineer just not care?

Dave Simpson

Longridge resident

event

Great night

of support

As the Veterans Champion for Lancaster City Council, I just want to thank and congratulate the Royal Air Forces Association, Morecambe Branch, for organising an excellent evening to celebrate 100 years of the RAF. A massive thank you to Jane and Bob Latin who worked tirelessly to organise the event.

There were 115 people, which included Lord and Lady Shuttleworth, the Mayor and Mayoress of Lancaster City Council, the Mayoress of Carnforth, Air Vice Marshall John Cliffe, chairman of RAFA Central Council, the Rev Group Captain Richard Lee, Northern Region Chaplain of the Air Cadets and ex-RAF personnel. MPs Cat Smith and David Morris attended the event.

There were members of the local RAFA and several Lancaster City councillors. It was good to see several cadets, they will be the future of the RAF and their growth needs to be encouraged. My thanks to David Hodgson and Brian Jefferson who collated a collection of photographs and information for the board which was interesting and informative.

The Centenary Dinner at the Headway Hotel was excellent and the service that they provided was appreciated by all. The RAF played an important part when they formed in 1918 and its importance remains. Given that I was born and brought up in RAF Changi, Singapore, I still have fond memories of the immense noise of the fighter planes taking off and landing.

Coun Liz Scott

Veterans Champion, JOG Ward, Lancaster

royalty

Three is enough

Another Royal baby, I think three is enough now.

Don’t forget we taxpayers are supporting this new Prince and his luxury lifestyle.

I don’t think we can afford any more.

Jayne Grayson

via email

education

High time to stop pandering

So UK schools are removing analogue clocks and replacing them with digital ones as the students cannot read analogue ones. It is one of the many examples of dumbing down so indulged youth will not suffer. Perhaps, as well as personal responsibility, it’s time to bring back sundials.

Dennis Fitzgerald

via email