Letters - August 2, 2017

I’m pleased that The Blackpool Music Gala in St John’s Square last Saturday raised £518.95 for The Streetlife Trust.

We presented six hours of live music, covering various styles from pop, blues, rock and reggae.

St John’s Square in nice weather is the perfect performance space for live music. As the organiser and host I received collective support from various musicians, singers and volunteers based from around the Fylde coast. As this was a non-profit event, I was pleased to welcome the incomparable blues guitarist and singer Elisha Blue, who kindly travelled from London to offer his support. It was rewarding to see the joy and happiness on the faces of the audience members and the many passers-by dancing to the music. Events like this brighten up the town centre.

Encouraging fringe style music galas and festivals offers an opportunity to showcase the musical talent that is based around The Fylde coast. Last Saturday we did not have an ostentatious big budget, stage or concert sound and lighting rig. What we gained was public support and appreciation from the various businesses located around St John’s Square by increasing footfall.

Streetlife have been helping the lives of young people in Blackpool since 1984. The Blackpool Music Gala is a community-led project run by musicians and volunteers.

We are proud to have raised awareness and funds for such a worthy cause.

A collective of musicians are looking forward to performing for Streetlife again in St John’s Square on Sunday September 3 from 1-5pm (weather permitting).

Stephen Pierre

Organiser
Blackpool Music Gala

MISSING

Trying to trace 
Palmer brothers

I’m trying to trace Geoffrey Palmer and his brother

who went to Farningham home for boys in the late 50s.

I still think they live in Blackpool. I am trying to trace old boys who attended this school.

David Jones

Via email

HEALTH

NHS under the Tory government

In reply to Conservative councillor Cox’s letter (Your Say, July 21) stating the NHS receives praise from patients while Labour and the Red Cross claim that the NHS is in crisis; well he would wouldn’t he!

He fails to mention that his government have introduced commercial company’s access to the NHS, through the 2012 Health and Social Welfare act, which allows patients to choose private hospitals instead of the NHS. The NHS however still pays the bill! Blackpool Spire Private hospital is owned by a South African billionaire. Private companies such as Serco, G4S, Circle Holdings and Virgin Health Care, are among many running contracts throughout the country, such as ambulances, hospitals and blood supplies etc.

With private contracts as well as a shortage of staff to run A & E departments, does he see this as progress when many hospitals have had to close A& E departments, or at least keep patients waiting for 12-plus hours to be seen due to a shortage of doctors? Does he regard the loss of so many nurses from wards as progress, leaving remaining nurses struggling to cope with increased workloads? Unprecedented wage cuts, means their salaries are restrained and pegged to 1 per cent; is this good for them and the economy? Also the Tory government cut out training bursaries; is he happy that training has not kept up with the demand for qualified staff to enter the profession, at a time when so many nurses are leaving for better paid work in supermarkets?

While the Government he supports claim they are spending more on the NHS than ever, can he answer why bed shortages have led to people staying in hospitals longer than necessary, and why our council had to bail out Victoria Hospital to the tune of £8m-plus as a result of government cuts.

Marjorie Nye

Knowle Avenue 
On behalf of 38 degrees Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

PENSIONS

A good day to 
bury bad news?

Am I just a twisted old cynic or was it pure coincidence that the Government announced major changes to pension age on the same day the BBC revealed the pay of top presenters?

High BBC pay will always attract great media and public attention. What better way to obscure a damaging change to the lives of millions who, by a Government diktat, have been ‘robbed’ of thousands of pounds each?

Roger Backhouse

via email

APPEAL

Cancer walk bid

Every year, 41,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer, including my mum. Luckily it was spotted early when survival rates are higher and she has now recovered from the disease.

Physical activity plays an important part in stacking the odds against a bowel cancer diagnosis and as a keen walker myself, I’m delighted to support Bowel Cancer UK’s Walk Together.

Walk Together is a sponsored five mile walk to bring people together so that they can show their support for those undergoing treatment, remember loved ones we have lost and raise funds to help stop bowel cancer. It’s for people of all ages and abilities.

Sign up to Walk Together in London on Saturday 23 September 2017 or to receive a fundraising pack. Visit: bowelcanceruk.org.uk/walktogether

Julia Bradbury

TV presenter and Bowel 
Cancer UK patron