Letters - August 8, 2016

Within 20 seconds of the buildings’ collapse, the cloud began to engulf the many hundreds of spectators around Caunce Street. People were coughing, choking, screaming, covering their mouths and faces as they fled. I saw parents trying to protect their children and many struggling with babies in pushchairs. Had I known or expected an aftermath such as this, I would have stayed well clear. I was caught in this for 10 long minutes, coughing through my T-shirt, the sky greyed out the whole time like an eclipse.

Your article implies the cloud was mainly harmless brick dust, however, the towers were built with concrete and cement. The HSE website has a very different view to as to the safety of breathing in cement dust, and gives clear warnings on the dangers of even short-term inhalation.

Also, yellow glass fibers (likely from insulation) could be seen in abundance. It was impossible not to breathe them in. My friend complained for many hours of a prickly feeling in her face and arms, and my eyes itched until the next day. Firefighters use breathing apparatus and protective suits when faced with this stuff – it is clearly not ‘safe’ to inhale or be exposed to such dense airborne quantities.

In your report, the Lovell spokesman stated “all potentially hazardous material was carefully removed from the towers several months ago”, however the terrible reactions in the hundreds of people I witnessed on Sunday would suggest otherwise.

I would like to use this letter to ask the council for an explanation as to why there were no warning signs of choking hazards or risk to health from being near the exclusion zone? I’m not sure how the Council can be immune from such a large scale liability. I would also like to know why the exclusion zone was so severely underestimated?

Peter Aston

Address supplied

FOOTBALL

Issues to be settled before fans return

So Owen Oyston is desperate about falling gates and is appealing to fans.

I was born in Blackpool and have been a fan for over 70 years. I fell for the two-year season ticket deal, like a fool.

However, I haven’t attended a match since early last season, in support of the fans who have been sued.

Before I even think about returning there are three things which MUST happen.

1. Karl Oyston must be removed as Chairman. Instead Owen should, in full consultation with BST (Blackpool Supporters Trust) the biggest fans group, employ a chairman who has no connection with the Oyston family.

2. BFC must refund all monies won by the club/family in the courts, to the fans who have been fined.

3. The disbandment of the FPG (Fans Progress Group), a completely undemocratic, club-inspired body of ‘so called’ fans.

These three points might induce some, but not all, fans to return to supporting the club which they love.

David Pickering

via email

ETIQUETTE

God doesn’t care what you wear

In response to David Treachers letter on dress sense in church (Your Say, Gazette, August 3) I don’t know where he gets the idea from that dressing in a suit is out of respect to God, when our Christian teaching is we don’t judge a person by what they wear, and Mr Treacher should be pleased that people are actually attending church.

God won’t care a jot what people are dressed in, so long as they are of one body in His name albeit under one roof.

I too was brought up in an era where Sunday best was the dress code, and for men to be seen in church with anything less than a suit would have been frowned upon by the lobby of so called ‘Christians’ sitting in the same pews for centuries and condemning anyone out of the ordinary. Definitely a central subject at the next Parish Church Council meeting or Mother’s Union!

I was taught that good manners comes in the form of being polite, opening a door for someone, having respect for people we meet and generally being sociable. I don’t recall being taught in Sunday School to dress smart, we did, but it was never stipulated from the pulpit!

Clifford Chambers

Ashton Road

Blackpool

ETIQUETTE

The naked truth on the Sunday best

David Treacher complains about falling standards of dress among those at church.

Well, I understand we are all naked in the eyes of the Lord, so perhaps congregation should conduct themselves accordingly.

Mind you, the pews would have to be warmed first.

BJ McCann

Prescot Place

Blackpool

EMPLOYMENT

Don’t people want to work these days?

What is wrong with people today? I want to change my front driveway to either block paving or resin etc.

I have contacted about a dozen companies for quotes to do the work. Only three have been to see me, and out of these only one sent me a written quote. Don’t they want the work today?

G Bell

via email