Politically Correct by Kerry Jones

I was delighted to be involved in the Save our Libraries campaign here in Thornton and Cleveleys. It’s been wonderful seeing the community coming together to help fight for a common goal of keeping our libraries open.

Many of you will agree that keeping a library open is important for children and adults alike, in that the library is much more than a place to just loan books from; it’s a place to meet and it’s a place for communities to come together.

It is for this reason we must continue our fight to keep them open. Lancashire County Council has a statutory responsibility to provide an efficient and effective library service as defined in the Public Libraries and Museums’ Act 1964 and I don’t believe they are fulfilling this role.

Especially when bus subsidies have also been cut which makes it even harder for people to get about who do not have access to their own private transport.

I’m grateful Paul Maynard MP has taken the plight of our libraries to Westminster for debate.

I do find it disheartening as there are alternatives out there to keep these libraries open and that LCC did not look into these first.

I know councils have to make budget cuts, but we have to remember they are in control of their own budgets and they decide how they manage it.

Some councils choose to protect their front line services. LCC was presented with an alternative budget to save the libraries, but unfortunately it was voted down.

I’m just delighted that our local residents and community are putting a great campaign together to save our much loved libraries.

Football thugs shame us all

No I’m not talking about remain or leave campaign here today.

But what I am talking about is the despicable behaviour of a minority of football fans, that once again capture the attention of the global news media.

I’m not sure what motivates them to behave in such a way.

But I do know it must stop. It’s not an event for families any more, it’s an event that most people are now reluctant to take children to and that surely can’t be right.

These thugs need to stop what they’re doing and think about their actions.

Ultimately behave themselves, especially on foreign soil where they represent all of us by their actions.

I know I speak for many when I say how appalled we all are at what they’ve done. Why is it that the minority of people have to destroy the English football supporter’s image?

Whilst the majority of supporters just want to enjoy the game.

Surely there are enough arguments about Europe at the moment and football shouldn’t be another one!

Galas were a great success

What a wonderful sight it was to witness both the Thornton and Poulton Galas this year.

The processions were both excellent and the facilities and celebrations after them were also impressive albeit the weather was much kinder for the Poulton Gala.

What impressed me the most was to see all the community coming together once again to support these time honoured traditions, people of all ages and all backgrounds.

It is in all of our interests to work hard to keep these things going.

Both committees have done a fantastic job and it is no mean feat to organise such an event.

It was heart-warming to see so many people come out to support them.

As always the committees are still looking for new members and I urge you all to try and get involved for 2017 in some capacity.

Well done everyone.