Letters - January 25, 2016

There are horses who are also in their second and third generations of their family working on the promenade, and the grandsire from the bloodline of two of my horses went on to have a successful showing career following his retirement from cabbing.

I take a great deal of pride in my horses and turn-out and have obtained many bookings for weddings due to people seeing my horses on the promenade.

I was also chosen to appear on national television with my turnout.

I believe that the landaus are an important part of Blackpool’s tourism industry, and the town has the distinction of having the largest horse-drawn hackney carriage fleet in the country.

I, together with my colleagues, are happy to assist the council with their review, and I am pleased to see plans in place for a continued dialogue between the council and the trade in the future.

In common with my colleagues, the welfare of my horses is of the greatest importance to me. I was pleased to note than an experienced equine veterinary surgeon stated to the council panel that ‘he did not consider there to be any valid reasons the animals could not work safely and effectively in their present location’ and the council panel concluded that ‘the horses were well-looked after and fed and watered appropriately’.

I am sure that, with the council and trade working together, we can maintain a horse-drawn Hackney carriage fleet our town can be proud of.

Susie Gallimore Bebbington

via email

HEALTH

Hospital staff gave mum such good care

What can I say except wow for the NHS? My dear mum was fortunate to spend almost 11 weeks on ward 34 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where she received the utmost care and attention I could have wished for.

My mum was always at their centre of attention and her needs were met by all the staff that were on shift, no matter what time of day.

The staff of ward 34 were understanding of my mum’s needs and showed empathy and compassion when having to discuss my mum’s poor health situation and what was in her best interests.

I was supported to be able to see my mum whenever I wanted and I was able to feel at ease every night knowing that my mum was being cared for.

I have written this in respect of my mum, who sadly passed away on the December 1, two weeks after being discharged, but also in respect of the current NHS fight and to highlight what a great service we have.

Thank you Ward 34.

Sarah and Jenny

Blackpool

POLITICS

New bill is an attack on our democracy

Ours is supposedly the oldest parliamentary democracy in the world, and we talk often of our British belief in fair play. Yet with the Trade Union Bill, this Government are putting these values at risk.

We’ve already seen them make it harder to register to vote, soon they will redraw the Parliamentary map in a way that benefits the Conservatives.

Furthermore, hidden in the Trade Union Bill is a clause that is designed to cut off trade unions’ financial support for the Labour Party – while doing nothing to limit the hedge funds and millionaires that support the Tories. They’re attacking democracy by silencing opposition, whether it’s from unions, campaigners, or charities; and by changing the rules to make it harder for anyone else to win an election.

As the House of Lords debate the Bill over the next weeks, I can only hope the Government will take the opportunity to embody the values of democracy and decency they claim to support, and drop these unfair proposals.

Ronald W Corbin

via email

CHARITY

Tell us your story of living with illness

More than 42,000 people in the North West are currently living with the devastating effects of stroke. It happens in an instant, yet this devastating condition can affect people physically and emotionally for the rest of their lives. The long-term effects can often take a huge toll on partners, carers and families too.

We are calling on stroke survivors, their carers and stroke professional across the North West to take part in a national survey and tell us about their experiences of stroke. As resources for healthcare in the region become increasingly stretched, we want stroke treatment, therapy and care to remain a priority.

The closing date for our survey is March 31. It can be completed online at www.stroke.org.uk/campaigns or you can contact the Stroke Association on 020 7566 1535 to obtain a paper copy.

Chris Larkin

Regional Director North West

The Stroke Association

HISTORY

A pilgrimage to remind us of war

Each year the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry battlefield tours, organise pilgrimages to the battle areas of the First World War.

The tours are in August and September covering France and Belgium.

This year we plan to visit the Somme Battlefields, the Ypres Salient, Arras, Vimy Ridge and Loos battlefield areas.

These trips are open to anyone who might be interested.

John Battye

32 Rhodes Street

Hightown

Castleford

W Yorks, WF10 5LL

Tel: 01977 734614