Letters to the Editor - 8th April 2008

Apr 8 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Provision of autism support

I AM writing in support of the letter published in yesterday’s Daily Post from Ms Donna Underwood.

“I Exist” is the second phase of the National Autistic Society’s Think Differently about Autism campaign, to raise awareness about autism and the problems many people with autism and their families face getting the support and help they need.

Nearly two-thirds of adults with autism say that they do not have enough support, and this lack of support can have a devastating impact on individuals and families. Indeed, our own Society was created 40 years ago by a group of forward-thinking parents who found it impossible to get the help and resources they needed for their own children.

Now, 40 years on, we are one of the country’s leading providers of care and support to people with autism, and are working hard to increase services and facilities as well as raising awareness of the problem in the region. To this end, we are seeking to create the only purpose-built, autism-specific respite centre in the North West. This facility will provide desperately needed respite to the families of people with autism across the whole the North West. The centre will cost £1.3m, but will not qualify for a government or local authority grant.

In conclusion, I would urge all readers to “Think Differently about Autism” and support our own Home from Home Appeal for the provision of much needed respite.

Dianne Asher, chief executive, www.wirral.autistic.org

Festival site

I RECENTLY attended an inspiring and heart-warming AGM. People gave their opinions in an atmosphere of calm camaraderie with the occasional attendee getting up to fetch a piece of homemade cake and a cup of tea. No-one looked bored or uninvolved and an auction of unwanted gifts added mirth to the afternoon.

AGMs aren’t usually described so positively.

But it doesn’t surprise me that this meeting should be an exception to that. As the first AGM of the Save the Garden Festival Campaign, begun a year ago, this was another demonstration of a steadfast and generous community spirit. Moreover, the campaign’s plans for the future extend that spirit to the wider community of all Liverpool

If the outcome of the public inquiry into the site’s development goes in favour of the campaign, the hope is to establish a place to benefit for all life, not just developers and a minority of the financially better-off.

An earthship and wildlife haven would deliver a genuine wealth – the joy that comes of using and sharing what we already have in a sustainable way. I would urge your readers to recognise and participate in that wealth by www.geocities.com/savethefestivalgardens.

Clare Gillott, Aigburth

Splendid event

ALTHOUGH it takes a lot of goodwill to say the Grand National meeting had anything to do with Liverpool’s status as the European Capital of Culture, it really was a splendid event this year.

I particularly enjoyed Ladies’ Day, and was delighted that you gave it such good coverage. With the present obsession with celebrities, the day is becoming as big on the social calendar as the main race itself.

The weather was generally good, if a little cold, and most people I saw at Aintree were behaving in a good-natured way, which must be helpful to the city’s reputation.

But I would like to make special praise of the Merseyrail staff who did a wonderful job getting people from Liverpool’s stations to Aintree and back.

This was a genuinely international occasion, which will probably do the city more good than the Capital of Culture’s opening party.

It reminded us that Liverpool already had a fine culture. It just needed more people to see it. Congratulations all round.

Arthur Sharpe, Birkenhead

Sartorial elegance

I WOULD just like to commend the people of Liverpool and in particular the ladies for their wonderful sartorial elegance during the whole three days of the Grand National Festival.

Although the fine women of this city may have taken a pasting in some of the national media, I think it’s wonderful that people still make the most of this opportunity to buy a new outfit and hat and get their hair done for the occasion.

All too often, people bemoan the fact that people dress down for events or – even worse – use the dress code “smart casual”. It is fantastic that these people really go for it and put the city ahead in the style stakes.

Mrs JM Edwards, Chester

Dare to be different

WHY is it that certain sections of the national media just cannot find it in themselves to say anything good about Liverpool.

Whether you love or hate racing, the festival is one of the highlights of our year and it is lovely to see so many people get dressed up and have fun.

OK, so not every woman who attends the event is a model six, maybe not every woman has legs to her armpits and the face of Helen of Troy, but that does not give the papers the right to make fun of these people.

Anyway, isn’t beauty – and, for that matter, fashion, too – in the eye of the beholder?

Give the girls a break, at least they dare to be a bit different, unlike the Sloaney clones you see down south.

J Hathaway, West Derby

Top marks

IT’S too bad the national media and southern softies were unimpressed by the fashion shown at Aintree. Most men gave it “top marks”. Same again next year!

GMc, Netherton

Abuse of spaces

AS A shopper at Tesco in Allerton, I find there seem to be plenty of people – disabled or not – only too happy to abuse the mother and child parking spaces.

I don’t see why the store can’t put one of its car parking attendants, who are often waiting for trolleys to return, on to the task of cautioning those who disregard the guidelines.

I have two small children, not teenagers but both under six years old, and it is a constant worry to me that they will run out in front of cars while on their way to the car, especially if I am forced to park farther away because all the mother and child spaces are full.

Please, shoppers, be more considerate. It’s not just a question of convenience, it’s a matter of children’s safety which is far more important.

Mrs Paula Gibson, Allerton

Gift of life

ONCE again, the issue of organ donation has come up with the debate being, should we opt in or opt out?

Many cases are highlighted almost weekly in the press, where desperate appeals are made on behalf of loved ones waiting on the transplant list.

Many people are alive today, following a transplant, which is a testament to the generosity of those people who have agreed to donate their organs and the compassion of the bereaved families who have followed the wishes of their loved ones.

I think the time has come where each individual should put themselves into the shoes of a patient waiting on the transplant waiting list – then ask themselves this question: “If a donor organ became available – would you accept it to save your life?”

If you would be prepared to receive “the gift of life” you should be prepared to donate in the event of your death.

Mrs Sue Thompson, Allerton

Green concerns

FURTHER to Frank Kennedy, of Friends of the Earth’s, letter in the Daily Post (April 4), it is worth highlighting to readers that Liverpool John Lennon Airport takes its responsibilities towards the environment seriously and is pioneering environmental initiatives such as on site wind turbines and a passenger carbon management scheme.

However, it is also important to put the environmental impacts of aviation into context.

The facts are that aviation CO² accounts for just 1.6% of global emissions and its future contribution, even if we do nothing, is estimated to grow to 6% by 2050.

The industry as a whole, however, is tackling the issue in a number of ways and here at JLA, Easyjet and Ryanair make up over 85% of our business and are two of the “greenest” airlines in Europe. Aviation development is about a balance between the well- recognised tremendous economic benefits that JLA brings, at the same time as minimising the environmental impact.

Robin Tudor, general manager, corporate and community affairs, Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Diseased statues

RE: THE picture of Gormley’s statues (April 3).

Every time I visit these, they look more and more diseased. What will the constant cleaning of them cost?

Didn’t the Gormley fellow know that water attacks iron?

All the local sailing clubs regard these as underwater hazards and many people would like to see these buried and something more beautiful erected, closer to the prom, made from the same material as ship’s propellers. Something like the Little Mermaid in the sea at Copenhagen.

A Gelder, Formby

Take down banners

PLEASE, please will someone with some power suggest that all those dreadful Capital of Culture banners are dragged down from our lamp-posts forthwith.

They didn’t look great back in January, but now they look positively dreadful.

Many of them are battered and torn, the material they are made from is all faded, and you cannot read the words on them at all.

They are an embarrassment and do the exact opposite of what they should, which is promote the city as a vibrant and exciting place.

We have to get them down now, or at least get them regularly replaced.

K Thomas, Allerton