Letters - February 12, 2018

Among your legion of readers there are bound to be many pet owners and there will be occasions when sickness of whatever sort strikes them.

Normally, you would refer to your veterinary surgeon unless, that is, they are stricken during the night when vets are closed.

Which brings me to my own experience recently, when I woke at 4am and was concerned my elderly dog was ill. Automatically, I rang my regular vet, despite knowing he wouldn’t be there at that hour but a message gave me a phone number for an emergency veterinary service at St Annes.

I rang and was asked to take my dog there but after I explained (a) I had no car, (b) I am an elderly pensioner and (c) my dog seemed too sick to move and could the vet visit me. Somewhat reluctantly I felt, he agreed, but it was an hour before he arrived. He insisted I carry the dog downstairs to lay him on the floor. He then did a perfunctory examination and took his temperature. Finally saying he didn’t feel there was anything serious but giving me two options - for him to take the dog back to St Annes or for me to ring my own vet at 8.45am when he opened for further examination.

I decided on the latter course and he left, after only about five minutes on the premises.

I subsequently saw my own vet and he carried out blood tests and x-rays etc and has prescribed treatment, all for a reasonable fee.

The reason for my detailed account of the home visiting vet is to draw attention, for the benefit of other poor, concerned pensioners in similar circumstances, who will then have the shock or a bill for £350.

Neil Kendall

Stamford Avenue
South Shore

GRID GIRLS

Verses technology every job is precious

So the ‘grid girls’ are to go.

As a woman, I do cringe at overt sexism (the tabloids’ Page 3 girls is one example), yet I feel sorry for the women in the motor racing and darts world who will now lose their jobs.

What I do believe is, in a world where technology increasingly risks jobs, every job is increasingly precious.

What if there was a compromise so no jobs are lost?

Why not update their role for modern times?

What about that oft quoted ‘equal opportunities’ phrase?

Why not have ‘grid lads’ as well as ‘grid girls’?

(Surely both sexes should have the same opportunities?)

Or if scantily-clad men are not to the tastes of the darts and motor racing fans, why not have smartly dressed grid lads and grid girls?

The sports don’t lose their perceived glamour, the attire looks less sexist and more elegant, and everyone keeps their job.

And we have equal opportunities for men, too!

Molly Clare

via email

LANDMARK

No building on 
old pier site

Fleetwood Pier

Approaching 90 and being born in a house opposite the pier it meant a lot to me.

For a toddler to my 30s, when I married and more I have so many memories.

When the pier burned down was sad. To find that there was no insurance - tragic.

As all the remains were cleared at least Fleetwood was left with an attractive extension of the beach.

so, Fleetwood has at least got an extended panoramic view and a nice beach.

One consolation is that, due to an act of parliament, no building can be allowed - Ben Wallace, MP, confirmed this.

Also in the library there is a publication Building on Coastal Waters which clarifies the act.

Ian Bancroft

Oxendale Road
Thornton

SAFETY

Drivers don’t use lights properly

It’s annoying and dangerous how many drivers either don’t use any lights in dull/dark conditions or use them incorrectly.

I don’t think re-reading the Highway Code will make much difference as most instructions are common sense, like the one about the main purpose of car lights isn’t to see but be seen – otherwise why fit indicators?

Another irritation is lights either left on high beam or incorrectly adjusted, temporarily blinding oncoming traffic.

Can’t wait for my bus pass, then someone else can have the stress!

Penny 
Marsh

Address supplied