Postbag: Your write to reply

March 06, 2007

| Submit Comments | Comments (235) | Previous | Next

HAS a local issue incurred your wrath? Disagree with a M.E.N. article, feature or review? Delighted with the service at a local restaurant? Whatever your burning issue – let us know your thoughts.

If you feel strongly about a particular subject matter then why not join the dozens of others who write to us every week to express their views.

Whether you feel more comfortable penning your thoughts in a written letter or via e-mail – the Postbag section is updated on a regular basis to incorporate all of the ones which make the paper.

So what are you waiting for? Get writing and send us your posts to Manchester Evening News, Number 1, Scott Place, Manchester, M3 3RN or e-mail postbag@men-news.co.uk

| Submit Comments | Comments (235) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

tony (04/04/2007 at 12:15)

Last Thursday (29th Mar) the PC Bishop of Manchester joined with leaders of the muslim, Hindu and Jewish faiths to urge people not to vote BNP. I am a BNP voter, six years in the army, a non-racist (though this is what the far-left and PC churchmen would have you believe. I am sick of people like Bishop McCulloch interfering in the world of politics, especially when he is joined by muslim clerics. Islamic states will not allow Christians to build their own churches and are indeed attacked and shunned by all true muslims. Seems to me a strange alliance because when Islam takes over Britain we will fall under sharia law, then it will be far too late to complain. Strange too that the MEN has not allowed the BNP a right to reply, not even in the letters page. Do I smeel a conspiricy here£ Come on MEN, give everyone a fair hearing. I also note that the far-left (UAF for instance) have given up standing for election because of their extreme views attracting so few votes. In contrast the BNP are vilified by the mass media yet are gaining votes and councillors. Fair is fair I say.

helpful red, manchester area (11/04/2007 at 15:18)

Know of a charity sports auction £

I have hundreds of Man Utd programmes, souvenirs, fanzines, etc in excellent condition, ranging from the late 60¿s to mid 90¿s.
I wish to give them to any charity that is planning to have a sports auction to raise money. Please get in touch if you know of any such auctions.

david, manc (11/04/2007 at 18:47)

I originally come from Sheffield, and have extensively used the Supertram system, now I live in Radcliffe and occasionally use the Metrolink.

Why are Metrolink prices so high when compared to similar systems such as Sheffields Supertram. The trams are the same, the distances are comparable, however the prices vary greatly, and not to Manchesters benefit.

As an example, for an all day rider on the Supertram, would cost me £2-70, there are no restrictions as to peak/off peak, and i can jump on/off as many trams as I wish until close of service that day.

Why can't Metrolink compete with these prices£

come-on-city (13/04/2007 at 16:01)

I write to disagree with the recent MEN story reporting that the NHS in our manchester region is in crisis. In this story it was reported that the NHS services were only seeing 96% of people in under 4 hours. Now I am no mathmatician but a 96% rate of success points to only a 4% failure rate which by any calculation is a fantastic number! Why do not the MEN, or newspapers in general for that matter, congratulate this instead of creating a crisis that just isn't there£

Just how transparent??? (19/04/2007 at 07:42)

In response to Rcihard Leese 'Dissapointed' letter in postbag on 18th April, Transparent - you mus be joking! What about the plans to build in Heaton park that Manchester City council are sitting on££ How transparent are these, that have been paid for by taxpayers money, many, many months ago, with only 'the select' few having the privilege of seeing them, until Manchester council find a discreet time to release them£ Or maybe these plans are 'transparent' too, with no meetings with the thousands of people who oppose the plans, no public referendum - if you want things 'Transparent' Cllr Leese, listen to your constituents, very carefully, you might be surprised to hear they DON'T want private buildings in their parks, and they DON'T want congestion charging! Try removing the white lines from the centre of so may rroads, that has reduced them to single lane traffic, congestion will not be so bad if you returned them to dual lane!! The poeple who instructed these white line to be painted is responsible for congestion, why should the public be made to pay again£ Oh, maybe I fogot, we have a labour council in Manchester who have no interest in their constituents, just how much money they can get out of them!!

Manchester Man, Manchester (20/04/2007 at 13:38)

With regards to D Stott and cyclists having a bad time.
What about the poor pedestrians who take their lives in their hands every time they enter the City centre£ Most cyclists have no respect for the law of the pedestrians. They go through red lights they ride on the pavement, they ignore no entry signs and ride the wrong way down streets. All of which are against the law and highly dangerous. I have lost count of the number of times I have had to move out of the way as a cyclist rides down the pavement or goes though a light on red.
I am agile and alert enough to do this. But I pity and worry for the people who can not get out of the way, as a result of being blind, deaf or have mobility problems.
So D Stott we do ¿expect the worst and we do have problems¿ but they are from you cyclists. It¿s time the police took the matter in hand and enforced the law, to stop these idiots/menaces on cycles.

dreamer, manchester (20/04/2007 at 15:42)

Hi there I'd just like to know how other people feel about the "scoop your poop"
My dog was very poorly and got out one day but with her being deaf she didn't hear me call her.
Unfortunately the dog warden got her and I was told to pay a £50 fine because she fouled on the pavement.
My dog "ziggy" had to be put to sleep 4 days after this event.
I agree with scoop your poop.
A weeks or two later I was walking to the shop and there was two police officers on horse back. The mess the horses left was, well lets just say they left a mess.
Why don't they have to clean the mess up from the horses, they make a lot more mess than dogs ever could.

Thanks for your time

Dreamer!!!

Manchester Man, Manchester (24/04/2007 at 15:50)

I couldn't agree more with J. Clarke about the cyclist on pavements. I thought it was an offence with a £20 fine. Why don£t the police start imposing this£ They would make a few hundred pounds in a day. I have to walk through Manchester, which is difficult enough at the best of times, as I am visually impaired. I have to thank a number of people who have warned me or got me out of the way of yet another thoughtless people on a cycle. Yet there are times when no one has warned me and I have lost count of the number of confrontations I have had. It is only by good luck I that have not sustained more serious injuries other than bruised and grazed shins. Come on people of Manchester stand up against these thoughtless, inconsiderate, fools
manchester man

nayereh kelly (28/04/2007 at 11:56)

I am totally disgusted with Northern Counties Housing Association. I am a single parent of 3 children and study full time at The University of Salford, which as you can imagine leaves little time for the least important jobs. I was given notice in January to improve my garden, which was actually flooded at the time and too wet to stand on, as it is every winter! I admit the garden needs dewintering and some fence panels need to go to the tip but to be threatened with eviction because the garden is too wet and I physically haven't got the time to do it just is absolutely ridiculous! I was told to get rid of my childrens toys, a couple of hundreds pounds worth which has took me a long time to accumulate and so I have because it was the only quick thing I could do to get them off my back. They say they have tried to contact me regarding my phonecall to them but I have had no letters or messages on my answering machine! If I was a single parent that sat on my bum all day and did nothing I could understand that they wanted it done as soon as the weather changed but I'm not and there's is nothing I can do until my exams are over and my last assignment is in. So if there is anyone out there who could help me get my garden done for an extremely small amount of money or for free please let me know because I am at my wits end.

Ben (05/05/2007 at 15:28)

After reading a recent article about the new Monopoly Board Campaign, I realised how little support we seem to have from our community. In order to get Manchester on the new edition of the Monopoly Board, our local community needs get involved in order to ensure that our fantastic city does not get overlooked and disregarded at such a great opportunity. Please visit http://www.monopoly.co.uk/vote.aspx in order to find out more and urge our public to vote Manchester.

Regards
Mr Young

salford red, prestwich (06/05/2007 at 12:00)

Every season to qualify for a final ticket you have to attend every game at utd.thousands like my self do,as we have been doing for the past years,not being in a position to attend away games due to work and expense we go to wvery home game, this season the club decide, at the last minute to give prefferential treament to fans who have applied for away tickets,the very same fans who make apoint of standing.so before we have a chance of a ticket they have gone,so if you can,t attend away games and over the age of sixty, thanks for your money,but we have to keep imusa quiet as alot of there readers go to away games,and it will take there mind of the season tickets increase,KARL EVANS, STEVEN HALL OF UNITED. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOU HAVE TREAT US AS MUGS,

simo, manchester (07/05/2007 at 18:33)

if the family of maddie missing in portugal had been chavs the media would have slated them saying they left three babies under three locked in,anything could happen in 30 minutes a fire a gas leek, they could have woke up frightened and been crying for 30 minutes,anyone leaving children for anytime are out of order, i hope they find her safe and well.

simo, manchester (07/05/2007 at 18:41)

i wrote a letter to postbag but it wasnt published it was about the closing of elderly peoples homes across manchester, the i used to work in in blackley has recently closed down one of those residents had to be sedated for three days, it upset me to hear this

ed tonge, Stockport (14/05/2007 at 12:21)

What a shame. The Eurovision song contest has become a joke. The political voting takes all the fun out of the event. Cyprus voting for Greece, Portugal voting for Spain. The only points we got were from, surprise, surprise, Ireland and Malta. Is it a coincidence that the last time we won in 1997 was just before the New Labour government took over? Everybody hates us and it's a depressing thought. We should have sent Brian Harvey.

Ed Tonge from Stockport.

Mike S, Manchester (17/05/2007 at 12:34)

I've just read that Merseyside Police, being fed up with people continuing to use their mobiles whilst driving, have started a campaign to photograph and publish photos of offenders in the local press to name and shame people.

I think this is an excellent idea and something we ought to do here. I lost a friend who got knocked over on a pedestrian crossing by a woman who drove through a red light whilst talking on her mobile. I'm astonished that people just don't appreciate how dangerous this practice is.

Dave Sherwood (19/05/2007 at 13:01)

I have just read a letter was has happened to walkden,well in three words "Car park charging". It was introduce in Eccles years ago and within months the market closed, then Salford Precint and that market went the same way within no time.Every time a shopping center intorduce car park charges it becomes a ghost town in next to no time, but they never learn.

baffled Citizen, ECCLES (23/05/2007 at 10:15)

Dear sir,

Having had our local Police ignore &/or fob us off with excuses why something can not be done about the law and High/European Court Judgement breaking by the Local Authority and other Professionals involved in the Child in Care Case concerning my son. I thought I would call on the knowledge/expertise of your readers with the following question:-
Who within a Police Force is ultimately responsible for "Day to Day Policing and the Investigations that take place, (or should do.)

I had always believed it to be the Chief Constable. And having tried and failed to get multiple concerns and allegations including Child Abuse, Perjury and Perverting the Course of Justice investigated at various levels within the Greater Manchester Police force, wrote on several occasion's to the Chief Constable.

When on the second of these occasions I attempted to speak to or make an appointment with the Chief Constable; His office staff told me I was wasting my time as "Day to Day Policing was NOT within his remit

So if the Chief Constable is not "ultimately" responsible for the actions, (or lack of them), by his staff. Who is??

Yours hopefully

Baffled Citizen - M.E.N website Nickname

baffled Citizen, ECCLES (23/05/2007 at 10:21)

In 2008 a Superb LOCAL Live Entertainment Venue celebrates its 70th Birthday. The Venue:- The Manchester (ABC) Apollo. As someone who is researching its history do any of your readers have any Photographs of it through the decades or stories of memorable events there. For example their first date/ meeting a Star or Stars etc. Would love to hear PLEASE

sheila (23/05/2007 at 22:03)

Just read the comments on motorists using mobile phones whilst driving still.
Just today waiting at hyde rd traffic lights woman in a car goes through the red light.Still carried on talking on the phone when every 1 she nearly hit beeping at her I see at least 5 or 6 a day where are all the traffic police?

Roo (25/05/2007 at 10:40)

I agree Dave Sherwood. I live in Stockport and the car park there for the local stores on Castle street, Edgeley, has always been free until last weekend the cost to park there now is £2.00 regardless of how long you stay. We have always tried to help the local shops with our support but will now have to travel a mile down the road to use the free parking at the major supemarket. Already the car park is empty everyday and there are hardly any shoppers. Six months down the line and it will be a ghost town, which is a real shame for the local community

mark summerfield (30/05/2007 at 12:22)

i wish to comment on some of your other subscribers on the meatloaf concert. i went to see him in newcastle, i must say what a show it was 3 hours of brilliance. meatloaf is a true rock star and is show was incredible with everyone stood up singing and dancing. brilliant, brilliant, brilliant

Smudge, Manchester (31/05/2007 at 22:39)

s a veteran of the Falklands conflict, I have a keen interest in events organised to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the conflict this year.

Many events have been organised throughout the nation, there is a National parade in London on the 17th June, and the town of Gosport has declared all Falklands Veterans Freemen of the town. Most towns, large and small, are commemorating the fallen of the conflict with either a wreath laying, march past or drumhead service.

I am therefore disappointed that, as a city, Manchester seem disinclined to mark the event. Three emails sent over the last few months to the City Council, enquiring about any planned events, have gone unanswered.

The Manchester Military Tattoo have kindly agreed to donate proceeds from this year's tattoo to SAMA 82 (The South Atlantic Medal Association (1982)), and the Imperial War Museum North have had a Falklands theme running, but nobody else seems interested in remembering the 255 service personnel who lost their lives in the conflict.

I find it incredible that a city which MUST have been represented in this war by it's sons, can now ignore those same individuals, and the courage they displayed 8,000 miles and a quarter of a century away. Private Mark Fletcher of 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was killed whilst trying to save a friend's life during the battle for Goose Green. Pte Fletcher was a Manchester lad. Is such exemplary heroism to be forgotten?

I suppose we are fortunate that, to date regionally, Southport, Carlisle and even Chorley (population 101,991) have shown greater respect for Falklands veterans, for which I thank them.

Why cannot our city (population almost 2.3 million) lead by example?

alan davies (06/06/2007 at 12:00)

I refer to your article in Tuesdays paper""Kids are not free to play"".You should visit Irlam,the kids round here are out from dawn till dark without ever seeing a parent and they range from toddlers to teens.The favorite pastime of these feral kids seems to be nicking garden ornaments and ripping up fences,in fact anything that is considered anti-social seems to be fair game to them. A.D

Droylsden Blue, Droylsden (15/06/2007 at 13:11)

Does anybody know when the Eastgate development is starting near Piccadilly ?
Also what ever happenend to Manchester getting a Spiral tower as a toursit attraction like the one's in Toronto and Sydney , see Brum has plans for one.

J Smith (15/06/2007 at 19:56)

I am curious about the holiday offers advertised in the MEN. My Partner, myself and our three children have tried three times to book holidays to various locations abroad, only to be told on each occassion that the holidays are for two adults only. Therefore wasting my time and phone bill. Could you please make it clear in future, and add more family holidays. The holidays are very good prices and when you have a large family, and see the perfect holiday for a very good price it is a bit dissapointing to be told "we cannot accomadate your numbers". So come on MEN,its not just couples who read your paper.

()

Report