What a cesspit we live in. Everywhere you go, there is litter strewn about.
The town centre is a disgrace. In residential areas the pavements are full of crisp wrappers, pizza and chicken boxes and burger bar bags. Drinks cans and plastic bottles are thrown anywhere.
Has any member of the council driven out of town recently along Preston New Road? There are hundreds of plastic bags clinging to the bushes. They have obviously been thrown out of cars leaving the town. The hedgerow is full of rubbish as are the grass verges.
Can the council or cleansing department do nothing to make the town look as if it has some pride instead of looking like a derelict toilet? Cleaning litter must be an expensive process so how about implementing the use of fines for litter louts. Something has to be done before Blackpool looks like a landfill site.
MARION GOURLAY
Kipling Court, Marton


Archbishop shows his ignoranceThe Archbishop of Canterbury's claim that elements of Sharia Law are inevitable demonstrates yet again the problem of allowing a philosopher loose on real world problems.
The Archbishop has always been a loose cannon. Adept at spinning words, he is woefully ignorant of the law and its crucial role as the basis of citizenship.
Under our law we are all equal irrespective of religion, sex or gender. We cannot possibly have a situation where different laws apply to different groups. That would be a recipe for disaster.
For example, has he considered how Sharia Law would conflict with existing EU law and Human Rights?
The idea of allowing Sharia Law to be used, for example, in matrimonial dispute is flawed for the simple reason that under Sharia law women are regarded as inferior beings with few if any rights.
The Archbishop's comments are yet another example of how attempts continue to be made by naive liberals to undermine our political and social cohesion by stealth means. If I chose to live in, say, Saudi Arabia I would expect to conform to its laws, and not try to import an alien body of law to serve my values and beliefs. Those who wish to live under Sharia Law have a simple decision to make.
BARRY CLAYTON
Fieldfare Close, Cleveleys


Glorifying warI write in support of Robert McDougall's letter (The Gazette, February 4). Veterans' marches glorify and celebrate war and victory. They wear medals awarded for killing. They do not lament the dead of every nation caught up in senseless war, nor do they appreciate that the enemy is only working people doing what they were told, just like our side.
The red poppy celebrates war and victory, the yellow poppy indicates cowardice, the white poppy indicates peace. It's funny how the letters opposing
R McDougall are from living people, many unmaimed or too young to have done national service or seen action. Every war is the war to end all wars. McDougall's overgrown boy scouts are never likely to learn, are they?
Peter Dickinson, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool


Blackpool's got talentPiers Morgan recently wrote in a national newspaper that Blackpool doesn't have talent.
Perhaps someone should have invited Mr Morgan to the Grand Theatre last weekend to see The World At Your Feet performed by the students at Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre.
This amateur show would put many professional productions to shame and proved yes, Blackpool does have talent of all ages.
Everyone associated with the production of the show should be applauded – the routines were polished and the costumes spectacular. It was truly fantastic .
MRS S EASTWOOD
Poulton


Rest home that gets my voteI live on Crossway, Cleveleys and facing me is the rest home called The Kingfisher. We have lived here for five years and just recently the rest home was taken over by new people.
I could not help but see things were happening like the home being redecorated, new tables, chairs and lots of other things. But come Christmas I could not believe all the children going in singing carols, Father Christmas with presents – this had never happened before. They go out on trips every week and have someone coming to entertain them.
I hope you will let your readers know all rest homes are not bad.
Mrs G Topley
Crossway, Cleveleys


Lady T was the greatestI TAKE extreme exception to Bryan Partington's letter (The Gazette, January 25).
I cannot believe that man can call one of the greatest world leaders evil. Lady Thatcher made this country feel proud again.
I'm too young to remember the late 60s and 70s when picket lines were common and workforces walked out at a drop of a hat. I did not live through the height of the cold war, with its real threat of nuclear annihilation.
I have vague recollections that the once mighty United Kingdom was seen as so weak a military junta thought they could invade British sovereign soil.
However, I can remember the Lady who reversed all that and had more courage than many
before and all who followed.
People take for granted this country's economic position, but forget it is a product of the free market, set free by the Iron Lady.
This is Mrs Thatcher's legacy and many people will never
forget the part she played.
COUN SIMON RENWICK
Fylde Council