Letters - August 21, 2017

I visited Blackpool Tower in April and I was very concerned, no security on the doors with all that’s been happening in the world.

I returned in July with the school children as I am a teacher. How reassuring it was to see the security stepped up and one of the security men was wonderful with the children, high fiving them as well, a really nice man.

His name badge said Dean, what a valuable member of staff to have. Good at his job, but still had the time for the children.

My son was on this visit and talked non stop over this security man.

My friend visited the Tower a few days later and said the same. How friendly and reassuring to have the checks on doors,

This week my son and I returned, my son excited to be going again, half of this down to the happy nice security man Dean.

My son fetched a thank you card to hand to him which he made himself, only to find a different set of security were around, most miserable faces I have ever seen.

One woman looked like to was too much trouble being there, an older man more or less snatched the bag, messed in it, then pushed it to one side, never spoke, no manners.

As you can imagine my son was upset. Bring back the old security back who had manners and look the part.

Mrs S Parkinson

Blackpool

ENTERTAINMENT

No family summer show at theatre

I’d like to express my disappointment at the Grand Theatre’s summer offering this year. I think the Grand should have a family show during the summer holidays. Instead we have Walk Like A Man which is described as taking you back in time “on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons”.

It may be an incredible journey but it doesn’t appear, to me, to have the wide-ranging appeal that a summer show should have.

I’d also like to know why tickets aren’t available for the upper circle and gallery? Has the theatre already given up hope of selling any tickets there or is it trying to persuade us to buy more expensive tickets in the dress circle and stalls?

It would be interesting to know what the ticket sales are like for the run of Walk Like A Man. Would anyone from the Grand care to comment? It’s also worth noting that the Grand currently faces competition a couple of nights per week from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute acts at other venues in Blackpool, so I’d question the commercial sense of presenting Walk Like A Man for five weeks this summer.

M McManus

Aintree Road, Blackpool

FRACKING

Fears of impact of shale gas works

I am very disappointed to read that several people, who were trying to protect the environment from the reckless and irresponsible behaviour by Cuadrilla at Preston New Road, who intend to pump thousands of gallons of corrosive chemicals into the land, have been arrested recently.

I thought it was now illegal for anyone to pollute the environment? May I also ask United Utilities has the recent incidents of a lack of water pressure, and the work being carried out by them on School Road, Blackpool, near Queensway is anyway connected to the work by Cuadrilla at Preston New Road?

C Hopkins

via email

POLITICS

Powerhouse does not exist for resort

It’s the same old, same old. Northern Powerhouse? Ha! What a joke. Things have never been worse up north.

Promise everything but give absolutely nothing. It seems we are being punished for some people wanting Brexit I would say.

Susan Horton

via email

PROPERTY

Too many derelict properties in town

Derelict properties in Blackpool are a disgrace and there are quite a few. The Grosvenor in Albert Road is one, has been for seven years.

Why can’t the council compulsory purchase, this is a holiday area. Blackpool lifeblood. The situation of derelict properties is a blight on Blackpool tourism. Palatine Road has at least 10. If the owners don’t live in Blackpool that should be reason enough for compulsory purchase.

Kevin Gooder

Clinton Avenue, Blackpool

WAR

Father should not have fought in war

My grandfather died at Ypres, he was 40 years of age and recently volunteered.

Why he did this no one knows, he was in a reserved occupation as a coal miner, he left seven children, my father the eldest at 16 years.

What is more puzzling is why the powers that was accepted him at that age 40 years. A tragedy that could have been avoided for this family.

Kevin Gooder

Clinton Avenue, Blackpool