Letters to the Editor - 3rd July 2008

Jul 3 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Horrified by silly protesters

I ATTENDED the exhibition at the Concourse, in West Kirby, on Saturday, for the proposals for the new hotel and sailing school. I was impressed by how available the developers were to the general public, and how calmly and pleasantly they answered my questions, but was utterly horrified at the abuse to which they were subjected by some West Kirby residents.

Most of the other visitors to the exhibition I spoke to were equally appalled that such a genuine attempt at public debate could be hijacked by such hostility and venom by just a handful of silly protesters who were clearly labouring under the delusion that the people of West Kirby agree with them – in particular, I remember two women shrieking at the tops of their voices at Alan Beer.

The developers had to fight against the most absurd, pompous display of ruffled West Kirby feathers, and the aggression and blatant rudeness of a few detractors, who were a total embarrassment to the quiet, well- behaved majority who want to see this project taken further.

In common with those who tried to raise their voices above these silly protests, I would like to pledge my support for the project here. I only hope this cringeworthy display at the exhibition does not cause the developers to run in horror from our town and make an investment elsewhere.

Bernie Platt, via email

Disillusioned

IN RESPONSE to Liam Murphy’s article on West Kirby’s The Sail development, in yesterday’s Post, I am stirred to put pen to paper.

I visited the “public consultation” at West Kirby Concourse on Saturday to hear and see what Alan Beer and Carpenter’s Investments have to offer. Shoehorned into a corner was an uncomfortable looking Alan Beer berated by a crowd, a 3D model of the town (but that’s not how it will look – we are told) and an artist’s impression of I don’t exactly know what.

The questionnaires available on the day were hardly impartial; devised by Carpenter’s, collected by them and interpreted by them as well. I didn’t complete a questionnaire on the day myself.

That aside, there was nothing to comment on anyway as there are no plans . . . so the “positive results” which Sarah Beer was happy to quote may not actually be a true benchmark of the level of public feeling.

Sarah Beer has said that she is a lifelong resident of West Kirby, but perhaps she and her husband have lost the real vision of what West Kirby actually means to all the residents and what the town’s real needs are.

I left the Concourse disillusioned and confused by a man trying to defend the indefensible, trying to tell us that the emperor’s new clothes are glorious when, in reality, there is nothing actually there.

David Edwards, West Kirby

Lessons learned

LIKE all our Conservative colleagues on Sefton Council, we are very glad that the recent impasse about the leadership, etc, has been resolved. As was to be expected, all parties had to compromise.

We never had a problem with the before-and-after Leader, or with there being 10 Cabinet members, including four Lib-Dems. We did, however, have a serious problem with the persistent pattern of misjudgment and inappropriate behaviour by a small minority of Lib-Dem members.

The outcome achieved last Thursday was satisfactory on two counts. The normal operation of our very successful (four-star) council has already been resumed.

It would be quite wrong to suppose that recent events have been a waste of time. Appropriate lessons have been learned, and we will continue to strive for the best possible service to the people of Sefton.

Conservative councillors Peter Papworth (Blundellsands Ward) and Martyn Barber (Manor Ward)

Not forgotten

YOUR correspondent (“Don’t forget seamen”, July 1), who feels that Merchant Seamen are forgotten, should take heart. The work done and the sacrifices made by the Merchant Navy during World War II (and in subsequent conflicts) are far from forgotten, as can be seen from the large number of Merchant Seafarers’ Veterans Badges which have been awarded through the auspices of the Merchant Navy Association and the Federation of Merchant Mariners.

If your anonymous correspondent does not have such a badge, he should obtain one and wear it with pride to help spread his message of remembrance.

SSAFA Forces Help is another organisation which values the efforts of the Merchant Seamen. In conjunction with the numerous Merchant Navy charities, such as NAUTILUS, the Seamen’s Hospital Society and the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, we offer friendship, confidential advice and practical or financial assistance to any person in need who has served in the Merchant Navy or is the dependant of such a person.

Any person requiring our help – Armed Forces, Merchant Navy or their dependants – is asked to contact us at any time.

HWN Fynn, county executive officer (Merseyside), The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association

Principled MP

MERSEYSIDE Stop the War Coalition salutes the passing of Terry Fields, who was a principled MP and fighter for his class. He was a beacon of hope for the movement that defeated the Poll Tax. He was a ray of hope in the otherwise dark times of Thatcherism.

Unlike the slithery things that pass for Labour MPs today, he was a true champion of Labour, a workers’ MP on a worker’s wage.

Are there any New Labour MPs today who would work for a worker’s wage to show solidarity with their class?

Unlike these politicians, Terry would have broken the whip and spoken out against the genocide in Iraq and Afghanistan and all forms of social injustices. He will be sadly missed.

Mark Holt, Chair, Merseyside Stop the War Coalition

Great news

WHAT wonderful news it was to read of the two contracts awarded to North Western. First the contract to maintain and service Royal Fleet Auxiliary Ships, followed closely by the awarding of a contract to build parts of Britain’s next generation of Aircraft Carriers. For chief executive Mr John Syvret and all his team, it must be a very proud and satisfying moment. But all us Merseysiders can feel something of that pride in what is happening, because somehow we feel it is also our shipyard.

The proud name Cammell Laird is to be reinstated, I believe, as the name of the shipyard, so can I put a request to Mr Syvret. Don’t have the name in painted letters on the side of one of the yard buildings as it was before, no, please can we have the name in 10 feet high (or bigger) neon letters that would shine out over the river and be seen for miles around.

Could this be coupled with an open day and some form of celebration at the yard that we, the equally proud public could attend? Come on, Mr Syvret, see what you can do.

Gordon Lever, Huyton

Ridiculous

EURO-MP for the North West, Brian Simpson, claims credit to the Labour Party and the European Union for their law requiring health warnings on all packets of cigarettes. The EU can hardly expect applause for this, because for many years they have been subsidising tobacco farmers in France and Spain. Surely, it is ridiculous to warn the public of the dangers of smoking while at the same time using public funds to make tobacco cheaper.

This is just the sort of Euro folly which prompted the voters in Ireland to show their dissatisfaction with Brussels. They made their decision after wide public debate on all the implications of further integration. They are not against foreigners, they are not anti-European or isolationist, they have made a wise and democratic decision not to tie themselves even more tightly with an unsatisfactory organisation.

Daniel Oxley, UKIP

Disgusted

I WAS shocked and disgusted to read about the possible theft of Tracy Emin’s “Bird on a Pole” sculpture (Daily Post, July 2). This sculpture was a great addition to the Cathedral, and was really popular with visitors. It’s tragic that people might have had so little respect for their city and other people’s property that they were prepared to steal it. That sculpture was placed there to bring joy to everyone, and someone’s selfish actions might have taken that pleasure away. I can only hope that the bird has been removed for cleaning or restoration.

Tracey Emin was very active in promoting Liverpool for Capital of Culture. Let’s hope that her hard work on behalf of the city will not be rewarded by having her property stolen. I have lived in the city for 40 years and am tired of the negative stereotypes that people have about Liverpudlians. Actions like this only reinforce those stereotypes. Let’s hope that this story has a happy outcome.

K Samm, Wavertree

Wonderful chance

THREE cheers for Hope University arranging the wonderful exhibition of the late Richard Young’s drawings and paintings which spell the real meaning of fine art. I would encourage any people interested in art to go and see this show. It is free until July 18.

Richard had so many friends and admirers who I was pleased to see at the private view. I knew him when he was discovered at night class drawing classes, at Liverpool Art College. He had so much natural ability.

J Furlong, L8

Freedom for Torres

THIS being our Capital of Culture year, we should show just how cultured we are by bestowing on Fernando Torres the freedom of the city of Liverpool.

D Hague, Southport