Letters to the Editor - 30th June 2008

Jun 30 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

A wonderful tribute to Cliff

I WAS very sad to read in the Daily Post about the death of Cliff Hall, of The Spinners. In those days, outside jazz clubs, it was very unusual to see black and white people performing on the same stage.

But Cliff was never a "token black" person. His knowledge of Caribbean music, his pleasant voice and superb musicianship made him an essential part of the group.

There are always purists in folk music, who dislike their music reaching the ears of the wider public.

The great strength of The Spinners was they realised that "folk" was the key word. Unless it was heard by us and the coming generations, it meant nothing.

Given Cliff’s background in Jamaica and this city’s unhappy connections with the slave trade, the coming together of The Spinners, singing songs of our maritime past, was a fine thing, making a great contribution to Liverpool’s culture.

It is often better to do things in this way, rather than setting up committees and so on.

In giving Cliff’s death such prominence, the Daily Post played its own part in an important story.

For instance, it was interesting to read that Tony Davis had not spoken to a black man before Cliff. How much times have changed.

This story really is an important part of Liverpool’s year as the European Capital of Culture.

Arthur Broad, Woolton

Dealing with kids

I HEARD on the wireless news the other day that adults are becoming afraid to "engage with children" because of draconian measures under the Child Protection Act.

Rubbish! Adults no longer engage with children because a vast tranche of them are vile, spiteful, evil little wretches with the foulest mouths and a tendency to violence that would have shocked Attila the Hun.

Even if you do have the courage to speak up in the face of one of these roaming, feral gangs, the chances are they will be armed, or will contact their parents, who will probably turn up with a pump action shotgun.

I pity teachers and the emergency services in this country today.

Soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan are probably better experienced to deal with kids today.

M Laidlaw, Crosby

Help charity

I AM writing to encourage readers to hold a "Banquet for Breakthrough" this summer to raise money for breast cancer research in the UK.

I am honoured to be patron of "Banquet for Breakthrough", and this is the perfect way to bring together friends, family and food, whilst raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Every year, over 44,000 women and around 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer and Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a fantastic charity. A "Banquet for Breakthrough" can be held any time between June and September, and in any location. Sign up today and join in the summer fun with the knowledge that you are making a real difference. Visit www.breakthrough.org.uk/ banquet or email: banquet@ breakthrough.org.uk

Sophie Conran, chef and food writer

Design show

I NOTED with interest Mr Brocklebank’s observation that visitors would be intrigued by the image of modern Liverpool and he is right.

Visitors to Design Show Liverpool loved the venue (the newly opened CUC, in Greenland Street) and loved the show.

The difficult decision to move the show in early May was as a response to the amount of space requested from the selected exhibitors, and also to enable us to have in one location, fast glass challenge, catwalk shows, design workshops for children and grown- ups and also to host the Acts of Daring conference.

This event brought organisation directors, gallerists, retailers, makers, curators, academics and educationalists from all over Britain to the show and to the city.

The Crypt is a beautiful space and we look forward to seeing the Le Corbusier exhibition there in October.

Della Tinsley, director, Design Show Liverpool

Great event

IT WAS great to read that Design Show Liverpool is set to become an annual event (Daily Post, June 26).

The displays were fantastic, we especially enjoyed the glass- making project where Cains bottles were melted down to make candles, which were sold in bags designed by Ella Doran, made from old Daily Post copies; creative and eco-friendly!

The catwalk shows were also great, good to see local designers on show, as well as some international ones. There were also loads of brilliant activities on offer for the kids. We are definitely looking forward to returning next year!

I think it’s important that we retain the focus on creativity and the arts after the "Year of Culture" has finished. Liverpool has so much to offer; we should foster local talent and ensure that Liverpool becomes known as a hub of arts, culture and creativity long after our year as Capital of Culture has ended.

J Knowley, Liverpool

Amazing weekend

I WAS at the same festival as Samantha Parker (Daily Post, June 23, Africa Oyé) and I certainly was not at the same one as John Rowlands ( Daily Post, June 25, Africa Oyé). Thousands of people did flock to this event, despite the weather.

My family and I have been attending this festival for nine years now and not only has it become bigger, so has my crowd! I have family now who travel from London and Milton Keynes for this event on an annual basis.

Let’s not forget this is a free event, we are seeing most of these artists free, before they play at the likes of Glastonbury and Womad.

This is an amazing weekend, with amazing artists, amazing food and amazing atmosphere. Please don't let this be the last one.

Mary Doyle, Wavertree

Free travel

I HAVE just been reading your story about Merseytravel giving almost all its staff and spouses free travel on Merseyside's public transport. I can understand the companies that provide transport, eg, Arriva, Stagecoach and Merseyrail Electrics, giving their own employees free transport on their own buses or trains.

But Merseytravel wages are paid by the taxpayer. Have they asked the taxpayer whether they can provide free public transport for their employees? No they haven't. I am sure £1m could be better spent by Merseytravel.

P Winstanley, via email

More vibrant

I WASN’T terribly impressed with Liverpool One when it opened. I agreed with Wayne Hemingway. It’s not badly designed but it is another step towards fully homogenising our city centre.

But I must admit that having the shops open two hours later adds vibrancy and a better sense of safety to the city centre streets, because shoppers are about rather than just huge gangs of intimidating and inebriated young men and women.

They still seem to favour Liverpool city centre more than other places, but if you’re walking home after work or heading into meet a friend it feels less menacing and less of a ghost town.

Grosvenor will take a lot from the development and should do its best to continue to discourage the antisocial behaviour which blights the area, including litter.

A Kovacs, Hooton

Beating crime

OVER the last few weeks, we have been helped in the distribution of over 1,500 anti-crime light timers and property marker pens.

In particular, we would like to thank local community groups and organisations including members St John's, Tuebrook Road; St Andrews, Clubmoor; the United Reformed Church, Stoneycroft; Hope Centre Senior Citizens; and Lister Steps.

No less the hundreds of ordinary residents who have delivered to friends and neighbours. In this first month, we have far exceeded our initial target, and over the next few months we will be delivering even more anti-crime kits to thousands more local homes.

Cllrs Steve Radford, Hazel Williams and Chris Lenton, Tuebrook and Stoneycroft

Common sense

HAVING read the article in Monday’s Daily Post about "modern-day policing" and the introduction of computers into police cars, I would like to draw attention to the view that a computer is only as good as its data inputter/operator and that perhaps reliance on these machines alone is unwise.

I say this after my son was stopped by police because they said his car was showing up as not being insured – which it is.

They were on the point of impounding the car until my son persuaded them to check the number plate again. The second time it came up as OK.

Computers should not be depended upon without also using common sense and discretion.

H Easton

Curler query

ON A number of occasions recently, I’ve seen young women getting off the train or walking along Church Street wearing huge curlers in their hair. About four times now, I have come across this.

They don’t even have the good old head scarf that women used to wear when they still had curlers in their hair in the 1960s. Not a good look, I must say. Are young women really so busy they could not stay around at the hair salon until their hair was finished?

Beryl Mann, Aigburth

Traffic flowing

CAN I just say what a joy it is to travel into the city centre from south Liverpool, now that much of the work on The Strand has been completed.

I can hardly believe how easily the traffic now flows. Now, if they can just sort out The Strand going towards south Liverpool, we will all be happy.

S Tall, Speke