Letters to the Formby Times: 11/11/09

Nov 11 2009 Formby Times

A Christmas Carol of our very own

WHAT wonderful news that Dickensian Day will be back on an even larger scale this year.

The plans sound wonderful, especially the new attractions of the grotto and ice rink.

There must be a temptation to give in to the credit crunch and effectively ‘cancel’ Christmas, but how wonderful to see that there’ll be no cries of ‘bah, humbug!’ in our town this year.

DELIGHTED

Formby

Dickens delight

I WAS delighted to read in Formby Times (November 4) that Dickensian Day is returning this year.

Whereas the staging of this wonderful event could be seen as a foregone conclusion several years ago, these days we cannot take such festivities for granted as the economic crisis makes its presence felt.

Well done to all concerned for bringing us a Dickensian Day in Formby once more.

It is always a wonderful occasion, full of Christmas and community spirit and I look forward to it immensely.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

It’s not mischief

MISCHIEF Night - which is not mischievous at all, it’s downright criminal behaviour - had become a date that I dreaded.

But as the front page of Formby Times (November 4) showed, our police are doing a lot to counteract any trouble which may flare.

The police don’t often get the respect they deserve but this is one occasion where I would like to add my very own ‘thank you’.

‘GRATEFUL RESIDENT’

Formby

Jolly good read

I WOULD just like to say how much i enjoyed this week’s Formby Times.

I was concerned that when the newsteam left its office in the village that your paper would lose touch with local people, but I can see now that’s not the case. There was a good mix of serious ‘issue’ and crime stories with lots of pictures of local people and groups who have something to celebrate.

Keep up the good work!

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Yule runnings

I AM writing to ask your readers to pull on their Santa suits and take part in this year’s 5k Liverpool Santa Dash for Diabetes UK on Sunday, December 6.

Diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate with over 300,000 people diagnosed in the North West and a further 65,000 who have Type 2 diabetes but don’t know it. If left untreated or not managed properly diabetes can lead to devastating complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, amputation and blindness.

This year’s Santa Dash is set to be bigger and better than ever and is a great way for people of all ages to have fun whilst raising vital funds for Diabetes UK so they can continue supporting people with diabetes across the North West and in their work towards finding a cure.

To receive a sponsorship pack and information about how to register, contact Rachael on 01925 644 572, email northwest.fundraising@diabetes.org.uk, or visit www.diabetes.org.uk/liverpoolsantadash

STEPHANIE LAWLESS

Diabetes UK

Check for signs

AS the cold winter weather takes hold, I would like to remind your readers of the dangers of meningitis.

My daughter Megan fell ill two years ago when she was 16. It was a very frightening time and she’s only here today because her boyfriend was alert to the symptoms of meningitis.

With first-class care from the NHS she went on to make a full recovery after two weeks in hospital. I know how lucky we were.

Although vaccines exist for some forms of bacterial meningitis, there still isn’t one for Meningitis B - the most common strain in this country.

It’s a chilling fact that six families will lose a loved one to meningitis every week, some within just four hours of displaying any symptoms.

In the absence of a vaccine, it’s vital people are educated about meningitis and know what signs to look out for, especially at this time of the year when cases begin to rise.

The classic symptoms to look out for with meningitis are usually a headache, stiff neck and dislike of bright light. With septicaemia, stay alert for aching limbs, cold hands and feet, and a rash which starts like pin prick marks and develops rapidly into purple bruising.

The disease can affect anyone of any age. Not everyone gets all the symptoms and they can appear in any order.

I would urge your readers to listen to my Radio 4 Appeal online by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/appeal where they can find details of how to support the life-saving work being carried out by Meningitis UK.

SANDI TOKSVIG,

Broadcaster

Chapel appeal

IN June 2010, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral will celebrate one hundred years since the completion of the Lady Chapel.

The Lady Chapel was the first part of the Cathedral to be completed and consecrated (it was dedicated on St. Peter’s Day 1910), and it is noted for its elaborate design, its organ, its famous fifteenth-century statue by Giovanni Della Robbia and its portrait windows featuring local woman including Kitty Wilkinson, helper of the poor, and Agnes Jones, a nursing pioneer.

To celebrate the centenary, the Cathedral is organising a range of events including an exhibition about the history of the Lady Chapel. We are looking for testimonies, artefacts, pictures, drawings and personal accounts regarding the building of and life of the Lady Chapel through the years until the present day. The exhibition will run from June 21st-July 8th 2010 and will be free to all visitors. Perhaps you have photographs from a significant occasion at the chapel? Perhaps one of your ancestors was involved with the construction of the chapel? We would love to hear from you.

If you have something you think would be suitable for the exhibition, please contact Cathedral Archivist Val Jackson at the Cathedral Office on val.jackson@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk or 0151 702 7227.

VAL JACKSON

Liverpool Cathedral Office