Letters - March 9, 2016

This is no more than three miles from the proposed fracking site at Little Plumpton. Fracking could generate earth tremors, as well as water and air pollution – hardly conducive to good health.

If both developments go ahead, I am informed that structural or pollution damage caused by fracking will not be covered by many insurance companies.

This is one of the reasons that I, like the French government, am opposed to this controversial source of energy.

Ian Jackson

Park Road

Blackpool

ENVIRONMENT

Who would buy a home near fracking?

Am I imagining things, but has Blackpool been picked to provide one of 10 healthy towns in the UK, with the massive development of 1,400 homes on the Whndyke Farm development including a school, shops and a health centre?

This same site is less than half a mile from the proposed Cuadrilla fracking site, which will be anything but a safe, appealing and green place to live.

Who in their right mind would want to buy a house so near to hazardous waste, possible contaminated water and the eyesore of 30m masts visible from their back gardens?

I would be interested to hear omments from other readers, please.

Concerned resident

Fylde Coast

EUROPE

Anti-European rant had inaccuracies

I feel I have to respond to the outrageous views spouted by Ian Bancroft in Your Say, March 7.

How can any civilised citizen of our country be so anti basic human rights?

I am not sure if he is aware of the rights that he is opposed to, so I will remind him of the basic rights of which the United Kingdom was an original signatory.

The right to life,not to be tortured or held as a slave.the right to security and liberty and to a fair trial.The freedom of thought,conscience and religion.The right to freedom of expression and thought and not to be discriminated against.Also enshrined is the right to enjoy a peaceful life in one’s property and to an education, etc, etc.

I feel that Mr Bancroft is confusing the Convention on Human Rights with the European Union, as do all the others who are in favour of Brexit.

May I remind him that the convention has nothing to do with the EU, and precedes it by some years, being set up in the aftermath of the Second World War, and as mentioned earlier we were the main instigators.

What happened after Labour was elected in 1997 was that it was enshrined into British law, which means that anyone can seek justice in a UK court rather than go to Europe.

This seems to be yet another rant by an anti-European who hasn’t got his facts right.

NJ Wightman

Lune Grove

Blackpool

NOSTALGIA

Memories of work on our Wellingtons

How interesting to read the story about bringing home the Blackpool-built Wellington bomber from the floor of the Aegean Sea (Gazette, March 2).

In 1943, at the age of 14, my first job on leaving Tyldsley School was with George Woodhead & Sons Engineers, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool.

I was known as a “driller”, which meant I had to drill the holes on the wings of the Wellington bomber ready for screws to be fitted.

I actually found it quite boring, so much so 12 months later I asked to be released as I wanted to be an apprentice mechanic, but Woodheads were reluctant to do so. I still have the letter sent to my mother by Mr G Woodhead giving his reasons, one being that 16 was the normal age for apprenticeships, but also he calculated my wages for the past 15 weeks was £42. 7s.4d ie £3 a week and it was a light clean job.

I did leave, but returned around 1970/71, some 27 years later, working for Woodheads Garages as a car refurbisher under his sons Arthur and Peter, for quite a few years trading as main dealers for Chrysler UK.

Les Whiteside

Blackpool

EDUCATION

Nursery is so much better than good

I have twin girls who attend the nursery recently rated “good” by Ofsted.

The nursery is fantastic and the people working there are simply superb. The learning on a daily basis, the outdoor play, the dedication to the kids and the happy atmosphere is what makes it so special.

With all due respect to an inspector, who visited the nursery for one day only, labelling the nursery as “good” and putting that down to paperwork seems unreasonable.

Picking a nursery for me personally was a super hard decision – I wanted to enjoy my kids and keep them with me.

However, for their sake, I felt it was best to let them attend a nursery to be around more kids, to learn and to grow.

I am so happy I found St Thomas nursery and the staff. I couldn’t recommend them enough to give an outstanding environment for the kids... and I was blessed with two, so my opinion counts twice!

L Bottomley

via email