Readers' letters - July 12

A thank you and a smile costs nothing
Firefighters at the moorland firesFirefighters at the moorland fires
Firefighters at the moorland fires

The rescue mission to bring out the boys trapped underground in Thailand illustrates the determination of some people to go that extra mile or two out of respect for fellow creatures and the sincere wish to help them.

Although in most cases there is no thought of reward or adulation, the divers deserve recognition for their heroic efforts to save those young lives from an awful fate.

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Closer to home, the battalions of firefighters, pictured, who have given up so much time to save the moorland environment from total ruin, deserve our deep gratitude and support.

In other areas, such as the NHS and other sectors of the care industry, countless individuals devote themselves to working behind the scenes to provide essential services at a high standard, often without thanks or even a smile from others. Our local council works hard to organise routines and cater for the public health and safety of us, all within a tight budget and under the perpetual scrutiny of the higher powers but, when we give them a smile of thanks, their day is brightened and it costs us nothing to boot!

G W Richards

Bamber Bridge

event

So grateful

to Stephen

Just a few lines to thank you for advertising the spiritualist Stephen Holbrook at the Hallmark Hotel in Leyland on June 4.

I went with my daughter and three granddaughters (what an evening).

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My husband had died a few weeks earlier and I was really hoping he would come through.

The evening really was mixed, with feelings from laughter to tears.

During the interval, we went for a drink and my granddaughters said Stephen got so much right and that he really was gifted.

The second half came and then right at the end – I was the last one – he came over to our side and looked over at me. He asked if anybody had been to a funeral recently, so I put my hand up.

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He looked deeply into my eyes and told me the date my husband had died and something only I would know – what my husband was always saying to me and other things, and that my husband couldn’t say goodbye. I am so grateful to Stephen. I know now that our spirit lives on, my husband is with me every day and he came through that night. Thank you so much.

Ingrid Kelly

Leyland

nostalgia

Railway reunion

August 3 this year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of steam trains on the former British Railways network.

It all ended at Preston Station when the final steam-hauled passenger service train left with the 20.25 for Liverpool Exchange.

The locomotive was Black Five, 45318, with driver Ernie Heyes and fireman Tony Smith.

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Only a week or so before, this locomotive was seen on the Pilling shunt, carrying coal to Pilling and empties to Preston.

There will be a big reunion of ex-railwaymen taking place at the Leyland and Farington Social Club, Derby Street, in Leyland on Friday, August 3, from

7pm.

I believe there are quite a few retired railwaymen living in the Garstang area. All are welcome.

The evening includes a short talk by John Fletcher, author of Tales of the Rails, and a slideshow of North West Steam. Call John Fletcher on 01947 895682 or Eric Jones on 0751 9423381 for more details.

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I am an author of several books on the railways, there is a new book on Lostock Hall engine shed and a book on Preston with a section devoted to the line to Knott End.

Bob Gregson

via email

animal welfare

Ban halal in our schools

Once again we are having this discussion on halal meat. Just ban it in our schools. How many votes does the council need? All they do is go round and round in a circle. British meat and animals come before any religion. So LCC, get some backbone and let this be the end of it, or give a vote to the public.

L Hassouna

Fulwood

royalty

Prince will

be a Duke

A couple of nights ago, a man emailed in concern that Prince Edward had been overlooked for a Dukedom (LP Letters, July 6).

Prince Edward will inherit the title Duke of Edinburgh on the death of his father, Prince Philip.

Helen Walmsley

(Royal watcher!)

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