RE the front page story about Riverdance and exclusion zones (The Gazette, February 5), I was one of the people who walked along the beach to the port side of the Riverdance, apparently ignoring repeated appeals by coastguards and police officers to
return to the shore, supposedly ignoring advice and putting myself in serious danger.
I, with others (including an 80-year-old "lawbreaker") stayed for at least 15 minutes taking photographs and was not spoken to by either a police officer or coastguard.
The Gazette article stated that "Coastguard numbers were believed to be appropriate for the people anticipated".
Why did I only see ONE coastguard on the beach and when I did, it was me who approached him to ask why so many people had now been allowed near the ferry?
He said they were all breaking the law by coming within the exclusion zone.
There were also no police at all on the beach, only the ones talking in a group at the top of Anchorsholme Lane.
The amount of people on the beach around the ferry, I believe, was due to the fact that they were just allowed to walk without having to cross any barriers of any kind.
I do not consider myself a law breaker. I was merely walking along the beach. I crossed no cordoned area whatsoever and passed no police or coastguard directing me to leave the beach.I can assure you that if this had happened, I would have done so immediately.
S B, Cleveleys
l What a frightening picture of all those people risking their lives going up to the Riverdance.You should not need exclusion zones to tell you that something is stupid, yet common sense went out of the window as this herd of sheep made its way across the beach for a closer look. No doubt they wanted something to tell their grandchildren.
The mentality is on par with those foolish folk who put themselves in danger by insisting on walking on Stanley Park lake when it is frozen over. Thank goodness nobody was injured through their folly.
MARY BARWELL
Anchorsholme
l Hundreds of onlookers and photographers made their way to view the stricken Riverdance when it first ran aground and, on arriving at the scene, were horrified to be told there was an exclusion zone.
Although it is a public area, it was being patrolled by some arrogant young lads on quad bikes wearing Blackpool Council high visibility jackets.
One has to question the council's methods of vetting employees. They were assisting the coastguard who were nowhere to be seen.
Along with others I asked them why the public was not permitted to enter this area. After all, it is a public beach. One lad stated: "We don't know". He then dropped the cover on the helmet and ignored us.
It was clear there was NO risk to the public. From the police interest, it was not feasible to be an accessory to pilfering. There was nothing on the beach at that time and the sea prevented access to the vessel.
Along with two other men, one an off-duty police officer, we asked these lads to call or get assistance to help with our query. They refused, raising comments from the crowd. They had no communications radio except for a mobile phone! So if this was security, it was a joke. At this point, the three of us and my son proceeded to enter this area.
NORMAN WALKER-WORTH
Toronto Avenue, Bispham
cash please, Mr Hemmings
I have been reading of the far from sparkling state of our once glorious Opera House, as well as other Blackpool show places.
Then I read ( The Gazette, January 26) that the man who "monopoly style" owns the Tower and Leisure Parcs is non other than Trevor Hemmings - 58th richest man in the UK with a cool £980 million!
I often see his top racehorses 'on the box' – all top winners – and I wonder why this 'loaded' gentleman doesn't dig into his fortune and spend it on our theatres and make them once again the gems of the entertainment world they once were.
He owes us that, if only to counter the fact that he's a shareholder in Blackpool FC's chief rivals , Preston North End.
Come on Mr Hemmings, hand in pocket for Blackpool.
Neil Kendall
Stamford Avenue
South Shore
Committed to helping students
A LETTER from a Conservative (The Gazette, January 14), attacking MP Joan Humble for supporting the government's policy on adult education was totally misleading.
This government is NOT cutting the higher education budget. On September 7, 2007 the Government asked the Higher Education Funding Council to redistribute £100million (under 1.5 per cent) of the total teaching grant so that more people will be able to study for a first degree.
Even within their proposals, the government is protecting people who are studying for further qualifications in strategic or vulnerable subjects including science, maths, technology, engineering and a range of languages and those subjects in the interests of our country such as medicine, teaching and nursing. Adults going onto study foundation degrees are also protected.
This government has given its commitment to support the Open University, which has proved a great success offering opportunities for higher education to all regardless of age.
Since 1997 funding in higher education has increased by 23 per cent in real terms. Compare this to the last Tory government, who reduced funding per student by 36 per cent.
The 2001 census showed 7,371 people, 11 per cent of the population living in Blackpool and North Fleetwood, had a higher level qualification.
I am pleased and proud this government is encouraging others to apply to colleges and universities and welcome Joan Humble's comments in Parliament on January 10 about the additional grants now available to university students.
There are too many young people from families where no-one has been to university. Many of these can now get grants to support them.
JACK CROYSDILL
Chairman
Blackpool North and Cleveleys Labour Party
Rural roads do matter
I'm sorry if my requests for extra winter gritting around Treales, Roseacre, Wharles and other parts of Rural Fylde hit something of a raw nerve with councillors Speak and Oades (The Gazette, January 28).
However, by their own admission "rural roads are not a priority".
I'm afraid I disagree; road safety in our rural areas should be a priority and perhaps it's time we had councillors who, instead of seeking to excuse the current state of affairs, instead recognised that it is time for change in County Hall.
As a borough councillor, I will work with anyone to get a better deal for this part of the county, regardless of their party politics.
To me, it's more important to put the needs of the community first.
COUN SIMON RENWICK
Fylde Council
I was absolutely appalled at the comments made by Robert McDougall (The Gazette, February 4).
To think he can make such offensive comments about servicemen and women who have given him the right to write such rubbish in the free press because they fought for just that freedom.
I am proud to be a veteran and proud to walk up and down the Promenade, and we are also bring business to Blackpool in June by hosting the national Veterans' Day celebrations.
After the announcement, I was stopped in the street by taxi-drivers who were very pleased this event is coming to Blackpool.
BILL HUNTER
Chairman, Blackpool branch of the Royal British Legion
l Just a brief reply to a letter calling servicemen and women "pompous clones".
Well, so-called pompous clones will continue to parade like boy scouts to show the uptight pompous idiots like Mr McDougall that it is, and was, those same clones who gave him the freedom of speech.
Many have died for this right, still are and still will.
Let Mr McDougall get a petition up for those who would take away our freedom to march where and when we like and I will do likewise for those people who honour us on those windy wet days in November.
I am a hotelier and give up precious time to march as a former Royal Marine. Just as well the likes of Robert are allowed their say as it gives me increased motive to parade, sticking two fingers up to idiotic people of the same ilk as Mr McDougall.
KEV KINGWELL
(42 Commando Royal Marines)
Hotel la-rue, Springfield Road
Blackpool
l I was absolutely dumbstruck to read Robert McDougall's comments.
I have to declare that I am a former Royal Marine but up until five years ago, when I became a co-founder of the Blackpool branch of the Royal Marines Association, my only involvement was an annual visit to the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
Having become involved with an ex service association, I can tell Mr McDougall that it is not about self-glorification or self-styled war heroes.
It is actually about comradeship, remembering those with whom we served who are no longer here and ongoing support for those who daily put their lives on the line for this country.
Sadly we learn little from history and atrocities still carry on to this day but it is fair to say that in many instances it has been Britain's intervention that has halted mass slaughter. We should remember the words of Burke; "All that is required for evil to flourish is that good men do nothing."
The absolute irony is that we enjoy freedom of speech and live in a democracy that was fought and paid for (at a very high price) by the very men and women that Mr McDougall berates.
I should like to think Mr McDougall's misguided statement is based on a lack of knowledge and would like to invite him to one of our branch meetings to see first hand the calibre of those he so readily castigates.
Perhaps I could ask Mr McDougall to reflect on the words of General MacArthur who said: "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."
COUN RON BELL
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Blackpool South
l I read with disbelief Robert McDougall's attitude towards the war veterans' parades .
I am sure like every single one of us, a member of your family has been involved with a war. I spent nine years in the RAF and was involved with the first Gulf war, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.
Although I did not physically go to these places, I was involved in the logistics side and making sure my colleagues had all the equipment they needed while they were risking their lives to save ours.
Apart from having my kids, it is the proudest thing I have ever done.
I took part in three parades a year which also included the older war veterans who to this day still become very emotional in remembering what they went through.
We should take pride in how powerful we are for such a small country and be grateful to these extremely brave men and women who have fought for us.
I would rather see the roads full with a veterans' parade than a parade of stag and hen nights.
JAYNE MUMBY
Bispham
l Robert McDougall compares forces veterans to "overgrown boy scouts", "strutting in manic remembrance of good times war adventure".
He can only be pitied for his sad conception. Were he to get around a bit, and visit some of the war graves around the world, he would see just how many brave, and often pitifully young, lives were sacrificed by the colleagues of these veterans.
I can't imagine that, fighting across hostile territory, cold, wet, frightened and under fire, left many good times to remember, but they do have friends and colleagues who did not come back to commemorate "lest we forget".
He might also widen his perspective by a trip to one of the former concentration camps to see for himself just what these men were fighting for.
The industrial efficiency of these murder factories is a sobering reflection of what might have befallen his ancestors if the war had been lost.
These veterans deserve his gratitude, not his scorn. That he cannot appreciate that, is his loss, not theirs.
RICHARD HOOK
Devonshire Road, Blackpool
l In reply to Robert McDougall's comments "we don't want veterans" comment, I know many more Blackpool residents (including myself) who are very proud about the war veterans and I think Blackpool Council, along with all councils, should encourage these marches.
It might show some people what we have in life and whom we have to thank for it.
I would like to thank all our serving lads and lasses – past and present – and say don't get disheartened when you read comments that give the impression some people don't care.
These people are called hypocrites and you know, I know and they know that when they need you, they will change their views.
I have a son going into the Army, I have a niece in the Army and like many hundreds and thousands alike, we can be proud of them all.
I will not apologise for any "pompous" attitude that I may show in standing up for the majority.
LOUISE BRYER-JONES
Blackpool
l Re Robert McDougall's letter, if it wasn't for these veterans we would be having a lot more parades in the style of Nazi Nuremberg rallies.
Thank God for these veterans and bow your head on Remembrance Day and give thanks, or in Mr McDougall's case, bow his head in shame.
I would also like to point out that I have never been a member of the armed forces but I do respect them.
B P IBBOTSON
Ledbury Road, Blackpool
l I find Mr McDougall's letter in poor taste. He expects us to die for him and then just melt away like rubbish.
We do not glorify war, we abhor it like all civilised human beings, but when it is thrust upon us, we rise to the occasion.
I have been associated with and lived in Blackpool since 1959 and I have never heard such sentiments expressed among those I either know personally or those I have met.
Blackpool's main industry is visitors and any influx into this town of well behaved people is welcomed by the tourist industry here. Perhaps Mr McDougall is only interested in rowdy stag and hen parties.
War is not a party. Ask anyone who has ever been under fire. I am ex Royal Air Force and proud of it.
NEIL HORGAN
Alderley Avenue, Blackpool
l As one who sells poppies every year to raise funds for veterans in need of care, I find the contents of yesterday's letter little short of scandalous.
The bitter man who wrote it needs to meet some of these veterans and listen to some of their stories – if he can get them to talk about themselves.
He will not hear a single one of them glorifying war. On the contrary he will hear tales of horror and self sacrifice.
He will hear from men who saw their mates blown to pieces in front of them; of aircrew trapped in blazing bombers plunging to their deaths; of sailors dying by the score in the arctic waters in temperatures 40 degrees below zero on the Russian convoys; and of men, many from Blackpool, who experienced barbaric treatment from the Japanese in their notorious prison camps and which they lived with to the end of their days.
I was a child in Blackpool during the war, but having done national service I am entitled to wear the veteran's badge. I would consider it an honour and a privilege to march alongside these 'real veterans'.
Mike Murray
Green Lane, Freckleton
l The parades (not marches) are not a glorification of war (war is far from glorious) but an act of remembrance for fallen comrades.
It is hoped that thousands of veterans will attend the events during veteran week in Blackpool, so how can that be bad for business in a town struggling with falling visitors?
I do not strut, but march with pride on parade as I am proud to have served my country.
I would wager that Mr McDougall has probably never served in the armed forces and if he has, hang your head in shame.
R WHITEHILL
Falklands Veteran
Blackpool Royal British Legion Standard Bearer
l WHY doesn't Mr McDougall try living in Iraq for a couple of weeks, then see if he feels the same way about the "ex-service clones", those brave men and women who did offer their lives to protect this country.
G.FISHER
Ex serviceman, address supplied
l I was disgusted to read Mr McDougall's letter objecting to Blackpool's hosting of National Veterans Week.
His vicious tirade mentions "pompous ex-service clones" and "self-styled war heroes".
He is talking about brave men, many of whom lost limbs and are in poor health, while their colleagues lost their lives fighting for this country.
I can scarcely believe that many "residents and businesses" are as fed up with the parades as he is. What nonsense.
The marches do not glorify war as he believes. What I find sad is that he is unable to see they glorify the heroism of those who fought for the right of free speech he is able to use, however misguidedly.
So when you courageous men march with memories I would not care to have, I wish you well. God bless you.
"Good times war adventure".. how simply appalling to write that.
F H, Blackpool
