Letters - November 9, 2016

LEISUREMy wife holds a calling recordI write regarding bingo caller Dave Freeland (Gazette, October 31). Twenty-one years is a good record, I know I've tried it, get's your throat sore.
Caller Dave Freeland will be taking his final game today at the Mecca Bingo on Hawes Side Lane in Blackpool. as he is retiring after 21 years there.
Dave with his kingdom below him.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
28-10-2016Caller Dave Freeland will be taking his final game today at the Mecca Bingo on Hawes Side Lane in Blackpool. as he is retiring after 21 years there.
Dave with his kingdom below him.  PIC BY ROB LOCK
28-10-2016
Caller Dave Freeland will be taking his final game today at the Mecca Bingo on Hawes Side Lane in Blackpool. as he is retiring after 21 years there. Dave with his kingdom below him. PIC BY ROB LOCK 28-10-2016

Now how about this one? My wife Sandra called bingo for 51 years at the Olympia at Cleveleys, then at night at the Orion cash bingo for her father.

Then she called bingo at W and 5 Amusements, Station Road, South Shore for 28 years, a lot longer hours than cash bingo. I think she holds a record for longest session calling non stop, apart from loo break – 13 hours. I tried to beat her, no chance.

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Incidentally we have worked together in the amusement industry for 50 years and loved every minute of it.

Mr W Williamson

Fairfield Road

Hardhorn

POLICE

Officers can’t also 
be social workers

I refer to my recent comments in the Gazette (November 2) on there being ‘so few officers on the street when budgets have not been cut’.

Of course, I am fully aware of the millions of pounds taken from Lancashire police’s budgets, but the remarks I made were slightly out of context or not clearly presented by myself. I was expressing my dismay at the amount of time police officers in Blackpool were spending on non-crime related activities, activities that I believe should be part of our social services and community support.

These services are well financed by the council, which is what I was really referring to, and they should be more involved in the issues that are preventing police officers from patrolling the streets.

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I discussed this with Chief Inspector Lee Wilson when we met recently in the Town Hall. I confirmed I thought there should be better integration between all the blue light services and the council’s support teams in handling social and community issues,.

I have been invited to visit Police headquarters to speak to officers to understand the level and diverse non-crime related incidents the police are being forced or expected to deal with in addition to their core duties

We cannot continue to expect our police officers to continue to act as surrogate social workers when they have a tough enough job under current restraints.

I apologise if I didn’t make the point clearly and I am happy to make this correction.

Coun Tony Williams

Leader of the Conservative Group Blackpool Council

Councillor for Anchorsholme

SPORT

I will not accept an Oyston olive branch

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Would I accept an olive branch from the insincere Oystons, making out they don’t really want to sue fans?

NEVER after what they have done to our club, and then indirectly the town and local businesses following the Premiership season’s legacy.

We should at least be a Championship force, instead the fan base has been decimated – the saddest thing for me is the lost generation of fans.

When did you last see a child in a Blackpool kit? Four or five years ago they were to be seen everywhere. The action photos in the match reports in the Gazette look like every home match is being played in an empty ground. I wonder why!

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I have been a supporter since Stanley Matthews’ day, but I have given up my season ticket and like so many others I will not set foot inside Bloomfield Road again as long as the Oystons run the club.

Name and address supplied

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