Readers' letters - June 12

Focus on our market town's selling points
Chorley town centreChorley town centre
Chorley town centre

Chorley Market was once again absolutely buzzing. Even better than that, I overheard a lady on her mobile, speaking to a friend somewhere, saying, “You must come and visit Chorley Market. I can’t believe how good it is. Certainly the best market I’ve visited for ages. Next time I’m visiting I will let you know and we can meet up for the day”. What better endorsement could we wish for? Add to that, the success of the Totally Locally group in Chorley, which promotes the smaller independent traders of the town, and it starts to show what we, as a town, have to offer. A unique mix of first class market traders and those small shops which will always be an attraction to visitors, who are fed up with the major out of town shopping centres, with no personality, just big crowded car parks.The letter by Paul Williamson summed things up to a tee (LP Letters, June 5). Just why do we need the extension to Market Walks when we have so many empty shops dotted about already? The face of retail shopping is changing daily. It’s hard to believe that this project was announced in October 2015 with the promise that “nothing would happen until 75 per cent occupancy had been agreed”. Since then we have seen the closure of what were, at one time, great businesses – Maplin, Toys R Us, BHS and so on. Now we see that M&S, Mothercare, House of Fraser, Carpetright and New Look are all closing stores. Even the major banks are closing more branches than they are opening! This proves all too well that the theory of ‘build it and they will come’ is now but a pipe dream. Surely it now makes sense for those concerned in our council to hold up their hands and admit that now is not the time. Save face before it is too late. If we really do need a cinema, build it somewhere else, and leave our town centre alone.Capitalise on the things we have which are unique and will continue to attract people to our great town, while we have the opportunity. In business terms, concentrate on our USP (Unique Selling Points). Come on councillors, you know it makes sense!Increasingly, the ‘Head in the clouds’ of wild ambition is becoming a ‘Head in the sand’ attitude as the facts are ignored. I’m not really sure where the dividing line is!Graham Archer ChorleyPhoto: Martin Birchall

politicsA Very English ScandalThe three-part TV drama, A Very English Scandal, by screen writer Russell T Davies, was fantastic. Both Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw played their roles brilliantly. The complex and secret life of Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe, back in the 1960s and 70s, highlights the abuse of power shown from those in high places. It beggars belief how the privileged were able to simply close ranks, tell lies in court and simply get away with it. The acquittal of Jeremy Thorpe and his associates over a botched attempt to murder Thorpe’s lover, Norman Scott, clearly made a mockery of the legal system. This story makes you wonder how many other historic Establishment-style cover-ups were colluded within the old boy network in years gone by. However, the historic dams of deceit are certainly starting to burst. Hopefully, the rivers of truth will continue to flow, offering justice and making a fairer society for all. In this modern age with advances in DNA, it’s only a matter of time that those who are guilty of historic wrong doings are found out. Today with CCTV, satellite phone tracking systems, social media and internet live streaming footage, this technology offers the police better opportunities in tracking down the bad guys. With greater transparency, it also makes corruption at all levels harder to commit. stephen pierreEquality & Social Justice CampaignerNOSTALGIAThe team was Ribbleton AveMy cousin, Frank Dunne, sends me the Post every week. Today, Wednesday June 6, I received three papers. In Monday’s Looking Back, the photograph showed Ribbleton Avenue football team (LP June 4).Although I didn’t recognise everyone, Eddie Hopkinson was the goalkeeper and inside forward. We called him Elvis. Eddie, in fact, lived near Willie Forbes, who had played for PNE and was manager of Fleetwood. They asked Eddie would he recommend anyone and he suggested me. After a trial, they signed me on. Unfortunately, I was called up for National Service in the Royal Air Force. Once I’ve read the papers, I then cut out anything about PNE and send them on to a Preston supporter who lives in Lincolnshire, so the reports certainly do the rounds.Gerard DunneMalton, Yorkshiremental healthHelp us create a memory boxWe would like to create a memory box for our clients who have dementia. Creating a dementia memory box is a simple activity and the reminiscence therapy is helpful. A dementia memory box can also open up the lines of communication (something which people with dementia can find particularly difficult). We would be very grateful if people bring to our Preston office any old boxes, pictures of the Second World War, CDs containing favourite songs and classical music, pictures of the 1966 World Cup, wrapping paper, sensory items or anything else you think our clients would like.HILARY HAMPTONRight at Home Preston, Unit 1, 110 Liverpool Old Road, Walmer Bridge, Preston, PR4 5GE

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