Letters - September 16, 2016

ENERGYGas firms will exploit licences to the fullIt is uncertain if Mark Menzies is being deliberately misleading on shale gas, but misleading he is (MP seeks shale gas assurances, Gazette, September 10).
Cuadrilla site on Anna's Road , Westby.Cuadrilla site on Anna's Road , Westby.
Cuadrilla site on Anna's Road , Westby.

The gas companies will find it hard to define the number of well pads, nor will they. This would not be a viable business model. They have a licence and it will be exploited to the full. Nor can local authorities offer protection to communities, as we see already with the Secretary of State now deciding that which Mark Menzies once said was a decision for Lancashire.

If permission is granted for drilling at Roseacre Wood it will be a green light for gas wherever and whenever a company makes an application. The case against the Roseacre site (close to homes, on a milk producing farm smack in the middle of rural Fylde and at the heart of a cycling, walking and horse riding network of narrow lanes) was so overwhelming that no one left the public inquiry in any doubt that Cuadrilla was indeed “stuffed” ( to borrow Mr Menzies’ term).

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However, we have yet to see if the Government has the independence and integrity to say no to the company.

Elizabeth Warner

Chairman, Roseacre Awareness Group.

ENVIRONMENT

Binmen are as bad as the litterbugs

Litter-busting teams from environmental company 3GS could make double the £8,000 in fines it has “achieved” in the last three weeks by just following the binmen on the days they collect waste (Gazette, September 14).

Myself and my neighbours dread Tuesdays, the day the waste is picked up.

They empty the bins into their vehicles and if any waste falls out the back it is left. This just doesnt happen once, twice, but all the time. If you ask them to pick it up they refuse, that’s if they can hear you, as most of them have earphones on linked to music on their phones.What happened to health and safety?

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We have tried to contact the council by phone, but all you get is “all lines are busy please call back”, then you are cut off. There are no replies to letters or e-mails also.

Our streets are a disgrace and filthy. Not only all overgrown with weeds, but with the rubbish on bin collection day.

The prom is full of glitter, our streets full of litter.

Get a grip councillors!

Marcus Polakovs

via email

ENTERTAINMENT

Phil is ambassador for Blackpool

I completely agree with the letter from Mrs Margaret Hughes regarding Phil Kelsall MBE, Principal Organist at The Tower Ballroom (Your Say, Gazette, September 9).

He has faithfully served the resort for 40 years without due recognition from the Tower’s management. These days it is more important to market the Tower Circus and the Ballroom as Blackpool’s elegant tea room and not the home of ballroom dancing.

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In his time at the Wurlitzer organ it has been a rare occasion when his name has appeared front of house on the Tower Building. (There is a small photo of him at present tucked away on the Bank Hey Street entrance).

Phil is an excellent ambassador for Blackpool in the same tradition as his equally famous counterpart, Reginald Dixon MBE, but Mr Dixon was given massive publicity on the building during his 40-year residency. Phil Kelsall tours the country and the world giving concerts representing our town and whereas Blackpool Council, the owners of the Tower, and Merlin the operators, do not give him proper publicity at least Her Majesty the Queen who Phil has met several times has honoured him with an MBE to recognise his service to the entertainment world.

Perhaps if Phil either dressed as a clown or sold cups of tea he may just then be noted by the management. It is indeed time that this incredibly talented musician was given the status he deserves by both Blackpool Council and Merlin Entertainments.

Bob Milner

address supplied

ANIMALS

Check your sheds for an unwary cat

Now that our gardening days are drawing to a close, may I please appeal to readers to check sheds and greenhouses to make sure a curious cat has not crept in unnoticed and fallen asleep before you lock them up for the winter.

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Trapped inside, the poor creature would die in agony as it slowly starved to death and its owner would be sick with worry as to what had happened to it.

A quick check could save a tragedy.

Josephine Harwood

Moor Park Avenue

Bispham