Readers' letters - May 9

I look forward to the re-opening of Whalley and Chatburn Library, along with the 20 plus other libraries Geoff Driver promised to keep for the people of Lancashire.

The Conservatives can now prove themselves.

Here is Geoff Driver’s statement, word for word.

“Our library promise:

“Having run the county council as recently as 2013, we know that plans have to be affordable to be credible.

“That’s why Lancashire Conservatives have a fully-costed plan to protect all our libraries and to re-open those that are being closed by the current Labour administration.

“If we take back control of the county council next May, that’s exactly what we will do.

“Unlike Labour, we understand how important these libraries are to our communities and how many people rely on them for a wide range of services.

“This fight isn’t over, we’ll continue to put residents first and make sure existing libraries remain open.

“That is our pledge to you.”

Now the people of Lancashire have returned control of the council to the Conservatives, so it’s time to be getting on with re-opening libraries, as promised.

There is no ambiguity in Coun Driver’s promise to ‘“..re-open those that are being closed...that’s exactly what we’ll do.”

Gary Wilson

Clitheroe

environment

Safety on a litter-pick

I was interested to read Dr Angela Spar’s letter (LP Letters, May 3) regarding encouraging her two children to litter pick while on their walks in the countryside, and thus help ameliorate the effects of some inconsiderate people who think it is somebody else’s paid job to pick up their thoughtlessly discarded litter.

I thought her suggestion was an amiable idea and then I thought about her children, and maybe that was also the thought of a health and safety officer.

For example, in order to prevent accidents to her children, has Dr Spar considered that they may each need a litter picker, as well as a pair of strong gloves to pick up broken glass or sharp tin cans?

Then there is the question of being a visible presence to other countryside walkers, so a hi-vis vest or jacket may be needed.

Then there is the matter of reaching for those poop bags up in the branches of trees. Oh dear! Above one’s head? You’ll be needing hard hats then.

As these discarded items may well contain harmful materials, there is then the question of needing full face masks, with visors added to the hard hats.

Lastly all bags must conform to EU regulation: bags, litter for the use of, confirming to tear resistance, leak resistance, etc, along with EU regulations about safe conveyance and disposal thereof of said bags into an EU approved receptacle which must also meet local council regulations and, for which, a fee for collection by the local authority may be payable, with all collected items separated prior to disposal into the approved and appropriate receptacle.

What a ridiculous way to treat a well meaning family in such a way, one may be asking.

Some may even be questioning this as a real life scenario, while others may take the view that it is too far-fetched an idea to be real.

Then reality will kick in and the scenario outlined may not seem so far-fetched after all.

People will be questioning what sort of world we are going to pass on to future generations and all because some think it is almost their right to drop litter.

They live in an alternative society, perhaps where everything is done for them.

At least one parent is teaching her children to be good citizens.

We, as parents, should all be doing this. Sadly, some parents are setting the wrong examples as they are the culprits in all of this.

Neil Swindlehurst

Walmer Bridge

nostalgia

I played for Atkinson’s team

When I left school in 1945, I was sent to an army workshop in Marsh Lane, next door to Bradshaws.

I was working on repairing army cars and lorries.

When the war ended, I got a job at Atkinson Lorries in Marsh Lane as an apprentice welder.

A new factory was being built in Walton-le-Dale and, within a couple of years, I was one of the first workers to be sent to Walton-le-Dale.

Twice we were flooded out when the Ribble broke through its bank at the top of Edward Street.

I worked at Atkinson until 1957 and went to Leyland Motors.

Within that time at Atkis, a large extension was built.

The football team in the Post (LP April 27) was after my time there.

I’ve sent a picture of another football team from 1954.

The local league wanted footballers to play a team from South Wales who were going to Blackpool, so we said we would play them.

We played at the back of the Shawes Arms and beat them.

My time at Atkinson went well.

My foreman Bill Balshaw taught me everything to know about welding.

I was also taken to Manchester, Eccles, to see the manufacture of the Gardner engines that Atkis used.

G Benson

Preston

nostalgia

Dad designed the emblem

Our father worked at Atkinson Lorries.

He designed the emblem for Knights of the Road so

it was interesting to read

the article (LP Retro April 19).

Terence Quigley

S Kyarsgaard

Marie Townsend

Address

supplied

crime

Bring back more police

Diane Abbott can be relied upon to make a car crash of a good policy.

However, I never thought I’d say this, but behind the headlines lurks a good Labour policy.

I’ve been disgusted by the Conservatives cutting police numbers at a time when violent crime is rising.

We face increased terrorist and cyber crime threats.

Traditionally Conservatives claimed to be the party of law and order.

If only that were true.

Despite my reservations about the party, I am pleased that Labour, at least, recognise rising crime and will bring back more police.

It’s a long overdue reform.

Roddy P Taylor

Address supplied