Readers' letters - March 30

England should pull out of World Cup
Russian President PutinRussian President Putin
Russian President Putin

As a lifelong football supporter, the sight of our World Cup players trying on their World Cup suits causes me a great deal of concern in the current climate. Regretfully, I believe the FA should seriously consider boycotting the tournament in the light of increased diplomatic tensions between our country and Russia. Surely the primary consideration must be the security of both players, staff and travelling fans.Our Foreign Secretary has expressed concern that the British diplomat responsible for liaising with the fans has been sent back to the UK as part of the Russian retaliatory response to our PM’s expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, following the poisoning of the former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury. One cannot imagine anything more counter productive for the UK’s ability to help fans in Russia.Masked Russian fans ran riot at the Euros in Marseille two years ago, attacking indiscriminately and our own fans behaved disgracefully at the friendly with Holland.The potential confrontation is a cocktail that must remain unmixed. We have all been reminded of the 1936 Berlin Olympics which Adolf Hitler used to promote Nazi regime. This is Putin’s tournament and are we going to allow history to repeat itself and give him every opportunity to raise his profile on the world stage? Morality has not always been football’s strong suit but surely its ruling body should think that colluding in this propaganda coup is unacceptable.Russia does not deserve to host such a prestigious tournament. We are all proud our country has qualified but, should we be fortunate to repeat our 1966 success, the idea of our captain shaking hands with Comrade Putin as he receives the trophy would be unthinkable. Withdrawing will be unpopular, resulting in fines and possible bans, but a boycott is the only course of action in the light of the Kremlin’s disrespect for international law.Jim Oldcornvia email

charityWe can help your good causeAs one of the UK’s largest charitable funders, we want to highlight the amazing work that is being carried out by many small community organisations and charities in the Lancashire area. However, many of the vital services that these charities provide are at risk if they don’t receive the funding they need.Every year hundreds of charities apply to us for support as funding gets even tighter and council cuts continue to bite. At a time when communities are struggling to support those in need, we felt it was important to launch a fund that would help bring communities together. By funding capital projects, such as a minibus for a local youth group or a new kitchen for the community hall, we want to ensure charities have the facilities they need to do more of their great work. So in our 60th year, we have launched the Weston Anniversary Fund which will award up to £150,000 for each charity that successfully applies for help to improve their existing facilities, or provide new ones. We have £5m for this one-off scheme so we can support as many charities as possible.Find out more at https://anniversary.garfieldweston.org/ – the deadline for applications is June 30, 2018.Philippa CharlesDirector, Garfield Weston FoundationBREXITAnother vote is neededWith regard to Brexit, Pete Hanslip asks “Why bother with another vote?” (LP Letters, March 27).Well, I voted Remain but accepted the vote to leave, albeit with a number of anxieties which I hoped would be addressed by those negotiating the terms. I cannot be alone in feeling that this has not happened. Thus it does not seem to me to be unreasonable to believe that, unless the final settlement proves to be acceptable, then the option of retaining EU membership should be available. Therefore the final settlement should be subject to approval, through Parliament, a general election or a referendum. That is why we should bother with another vote, Mr Hanslip.John PrancePenworthamfinancesDoesn’t add upI have this past week received my 2018 council tax. Last year’s charge for band B was £914.38, plus three per cent (£27.81).This year it equals £942.19.Last year’s adult social care was £35.86 plus three per cent (£1.87). This year it equals £37.73, not £64.36 as Lancashire County Council is charging. What they appear to have done is added last year’s LCC and social care charge together then, once again, added three per cent, thereby charging us TWICE for the LCC increase. What the amount comes to, if they have done this with every household, I have no idea, but it will not take them long to make up the millions they claim to have as a shortage.Lostock Hall residentenvironmentBins for plastics

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If plastics pollution is so serious a threat as we are told, then surely we should urgently be supplied with ‘plastics only’ bins? These contents could then be burned whilst we gradually learn to wean ourselves away from plastic materials generally.Arthur QuarmbyAddress supplied