Letters to the Editor - September 19th

Sep 19 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

Unlucky for Liverpool

LARRY NEILD has an uncanny way of judging the public mood. The front page of the Daily Post was unlucky for some on Septem- ber 13. Yes, unlucky for some of the Liverpool bigwigs who have been getting away with destroying our built environment for years.

Unesco now wants assurances we know what we are doing to the world heritage site – but what about the plans already passed, what is going to be done about those?

As an example, your Page 3 showed a picture of the Clipper crews lined up for a photo shoot in front of the most enchanting view in Liverpool – across Mann Island from the Albert Dock – the one they all use to promote the city and which will soon to be obscured by monstrous black granite tombstones.

And what about the museum that no-one wants, that Icomos, Unesco’s advisers, said is out of keeping with the historic Pier Head? And what about the 300 flats on the other side of the Liver Buildings, which will obscure the view of our icons from the river.

Are we in the throes of an impending disaster that we will not be able to stop for want of trying?

If you need any convincing as to what will befall us unless it is stopped, look no further than Chavasse “car” park and what has been done to that green space in the name of progress.

The lesson about what not to do to your skyline is there.

We are doing the 1960s all over again. You reading this letter are letting it happen before your very eyes. When are you going to take part in the debate on your city before it’s too late? When are you going to show there is an ounce of culture present when it comes to world heritage?

Charles Korsham, L18

Not world class

WHAT have they done to Chavasse Park? They promised us world-class architecture by Cesar Pelli, and then give us a Caesar Salad.

The aluminium double-glazed panels being stuck on at prefab pace are a clear indication of just how much of a mistake we have made with this location, as this throw-up design should never have been allowed to take centre stage between the Albert Dock and go higher than Herbert Rowse’s ventilation shaft and the Port of Liverpool Buildings.

It is just not good enough and they took our park away in the process.

Oh yes, they are claiming we will have a lovely park, which will be in shade most of the day, and on top of a polystyrene roof to a car park. It does not appear world class to me.

When will we learn from the ’60s and not make all the same mistakes by building stick-a-brick boxes out of a steel frame with infill panels and give us some quality architecture instead?

We are destroying our architectural legacy and eroding the core values of the World Heritage Site, our best asset.

A true conservationist knows that he is only the custodian of the past.

I wonder how many true conservationists are about in Liverpool, and do they care?

Wayne Colquhoun, Liverpool Preservation Trust

Who will win?

WITH THE conversion of Chavasse Park into a retail park seemingly being the biggest development in Liverpool's Capital of Culture preparations, the question has to be asked: Will consumerism win out over recession?

For the answer, perhaps we need to measure the queues outside Primark and Northern Rock . . .

P Olsen, via email

WRVS memories

I HAVE been commissioned by WRVS to produce a pictorial history to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2008, and would welcome information from any readers who have personal experience of the help given by this organisation either during the war years or since 1946.

This remarkable organisation has tirelessly contributed to the care and welfare of the population since its somewhat humble beginnings in 1938. Formed as the Women’s Voluntary Service for Air Raids Precautions in that year, the organisation was deemed by the Government as the best mechanism to harness the skills and dedication of women for tasks other than those on the front line of home defence.

At the outbreak of war, the WVS organised and managed the task of evacuating about 1m mothers, children and disabled people from major towns and cities across the country, among many other things.

The organisation was at the forefront of recycling during the war years and post-war, under its new name of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), it has taken a leading role in the provision of welfare services, care of elderly people and emergency support, including that given during the recent floods.

All and any information is welcome and can be sent for the attention of Pippa Nash, WRVS, Garden House, Milton Hill, Abingdon, OX13 6AD.

John Leete, via email

Green solution

IN RESPONSE to “Green Record” (Letters, September 17), Cllr Steve Radford has indeed spotted a problem. You haven't always seen Green Party councillors rushing around the city to tail-end each and every campaign.

Until recently, there were no Green councillors and the city needs more than just one. I hope to be part of the solution to that problem next May when Liverpool follows the national trend and elects more Green councillors.

Last week, we saw around 400 activists, councillors, London Assembly Members and two Green European MPs come to Liverpool, to share ideas and practical policy suggestions about how to get Green ideas into practice.

In the mean-time, residents in St Michael’s expect our one councillor to give priority to this ward. There are exceptions: the special cases of Welsh Streets demolitions and Edge Lane widening involved committees where our councillor was a member. In both cases the council was and is acting oppressively.

We will always listen to residents in other areas when they contact us and if we can make a difference we will do what we can.

Sarah Jennings, St Michael’s Ward Green Party

Not a problem

RE: GREEN party representation in Liverpool (Letters, September 17). Steve Radford's letter pointed out well how difficult it can be for smaller parties to be everywhere and do everything. The Greens have but one councillor, and I know as one of his constituents how hard he works. But he can't, and shouldn't, be everywhere trying to do everything. When we have Greens elected all over Liverpool, then more will be able to be done – all the more reason to vote Green. Then we can do something about this council's lamentable reputation on the environment.

While Lib-Dems nationally want the country to be carbon neutral by 2050, Liverpool council wants people off the train and into the airport, and has no real plans for what a sustainable Liverpool would look like. That is the real problem that Steve should focus on. The Greens are part of the solution, not the problem.

Peter North, St Michaels Ward

Dental care

THIS month, it has been claimed that 35,000 Britons are travelling abroad each year for dental treatment, many to Eastern Europe. However, I would urge Merseysiders considering this to thoroughly examine the treatment on offer.

There are significant risks to be considered before heading overseas. When undertaking complex treatment, it is vital that patients know the experience of the dentist who will carry out the work. It is wise to seek examples of previous treatments that the dentist has performed, and even to ask to speak to past patients. Critically, patients need to consider after-care. Aftercare for implants and complex restorative work such as crowns, bridges and veneers is central to the long-term success of the procedure. While cost may be an incentive to travel, there are plans here in the UK to make dentistry more affordable

As a qualified dentist of more than 20 years, I would urge people to make an informed dental choice, one which prioritises your health and long-term care.

Dr Ian Buckle, Buckle & McGrath Dental Practice, Thornton Hough

Too high a price

IT IS all well and good for Antony Worrall Thompson and Co to bang on about us sourcing our food ethically, locally, etc, and eating organic (Letters, September 17). When are the people putting us all on this big guilt trip about where our food comes from going to wake up and realise that not everyone has the money to only buy organic at the little local farm shop.

Many people would love to do their bit for animals and the environment, but they simply cannot afford it instead they have to go to the big supermarkets where it is cheaper.

The same goes for this business of carbon footprints. We are being encouraged to holiday at home, but do the green campaigners have any idea how expensive that is? Compare a week in the Costas for a family of four with a week spent in this country paying out extortionate prices for meals and theme parks, and you will see what I mean.

O Johnson, Warrington

Financial education

THE whole saga over Northern Rock, I believe, just emphasises how important financial education in schools is. If more people understood how banks work, what they do with their money and how they get their cash, then I do not think we would be seeing these queues.

Too many young people leave school without the first clue about how to manage their finances, which is why we are in this crazy debt mess we are.

H Mason, Wavertree