Letters - July 11, 2016

His friends, fellow artists and admirers travelled from as far as Thailand to pay their respects to a comedian who was simply unique. Jack Diamond had remarkable spontaneous comedy talent, and he will always be best remembered for his many seasons as the comedy host and compere at The Talk of The Coast Viking Hotel. His camp and colourful comic delivery was liked by everyone.

Several times throughout his colourful and complex life he had opportunities to break into ‘The Big Time’. For his own reasons he chose not to accept offers of TV work and rejected them. It’s safe to say that, had he taken advantage of the TV offers, he would have become a household name.

I’m currently compiling a ‘Big Red Book’ of posthumous tributes, anecdotes, photographs and press cuttings about Jack. If you had the pleasure of knowing him, or seeing him perform I would be delighted to hear your memoirs. Please email them to me at [email protected] or post them for my attention directly to the Galleon Bar 68-70 Abingdon Street, Blackpool FY1 1NH.

One day I would like to see Jack Diamond’s name inscribed onto the ‘Comedy Carpet’ on Blackpool Prom. He deserves this accolade as recognition for his many years performing in Blackpool which he made his home. He paid his dues and made made a lot of people laugh.

Jack was a gifted and modest guy who could have been a superstar.

Stephen Pierre

via email

RESCUE

Why waste money on saving a seagull?

After reading your story about a trapped seagull in a chimney (Gazette, July 5), I feel compelled to write to you about this money wasting fiasco. Let me remind you IT WAS A SEAGULL that brought out TWO fire engines, complete with crews. I have to agree with Philip Clayton, who pointed out what the cost would be.

If the councils are so broke that they cannot afford to “cut the public grass” and cannot afford to “fix our dangerous road surfaces”, then who the hell was the rich money bags that sanctioned the rescue of a flea-bitten seagull?

I have great respect for the RSPCA, and I do donate on a regular basis, but if they are so affluent as to waste my donations on this kind of fiasco, then maybe they should donate to the cutting of the grass and repairing of the roads, and make our cash-strapped council proud to once again have a neat and tidy town.

E Holley

via email

EUROPE

Let’s show the world what we’re made of

It would appear that the leave decision has rocked us to the core.

When you think what we endured during the Second World War, where our country had been flattened and had to be rebuilt, food and clothes were rationed, even our garden railings were taken, to be made into ammunition, then this “blip” we’re going through is negligible, compared to that! Think positive.

This is a golden opportunity to show the world what we’re made of. Let everyone work hard at their jobs, all pull together, no negative attitudes, then we’ll get through this and come into calmer, more stable waters. Then watch us. They don’t call us Great Britain for nothing.

Mrs J Geddes

Whitemoss Avenue

Normoss

INQUIRY

War leaders must be held to account

On February 15, 2003 two million people participated in the biggest demonstration in British history. The demonstration in Central London had been organised by the Stop the War Coalition.

Two themes dominated that historic day, “Don’t Attack Iraq” and “Not in Our Name”. On the march were the young and the old, men and women, black and white, gay and straight. Christians, Jews, Muslims and Atheists marching as one. It was a genuine mass movement.

Demonstrations took place simultaneously across the world, in more than 800 cities. The global solidarity against the warmongers and the people’s desire for peace gave us a glimpse that another world is possible.

Unfortunately, our warnings of the catastrophe which would follow an attack on Iraq were ignored by our rulers.

The Chilcot Report, however, vindicates the anti-war movement. The two million people who marched in London on that cold February day were right. The politicians who ignored us and the leaders who lied to us were wrong.

Chilcot was devastating in his criticism, but many of the points now being made were being made in 2002 and 2003. This was not a catastrophe that was unforeseen. The truth also is that the Chilcot Inquiry would not have happened without a continuing anti-war movement. When people come together and stand in solidarity to demand truth and justice, as with the Hillsborough campaign, they can take on the Establishment.

The indictment of Blair and those around him is so severe that it must lead to further action. It is unacceptable he faces no charges or sanctions.

The Stop the War Coalition welcomes the fact the Chilcot Report is so damning but for us this is not the end. There must be legal sanctions against Tony Blair and all those responsible. They must be brought to account.

Mick Mulcahy

Stop the War Coalition