Letters to the Formby Times: 25/11/09

Nov 25 2009 by Our Correspondent, Formby Times

Georgia is an example to us all

GEORGIA Land, the schoolgirl who took it upon herself to raise money for soldiers who may have been fighting alongside her father when they were injured is an inspiration to us all.

After reading her story (Formby Times, November 18) I had to write to say how much I admire her and how she gives our young people such a positive image.

If my dad was out fighting in Afghanistan I know I’d be sick with worry. But for Georgia to turn any concerns she had into something positive to help wounded soldiers shows an incredible level of maturity in one so young.

I would just like to wish Georgia, her family and anyone else either serving in Afghanistan or waiting at home for our troops to return a happy and peaceful Christmas.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Great kindness

WHAt a lovely story about young Georgia selling cakes in aid of Help for Heroes!

This schoolgirl has shown great initiative and kindness in doing so and is great credit to her parents.

I wish all her all the best in her upcoming fundraising events and would urge everyone to get behind her.

MRS J JACKSON,

Address supplied

Looking forward

I AM really looking forward to this year's Dickensian Day and my children are especially excited about the prospect of an ice rink coming to Formby!

Although previous year's events have been good, I would like to thank the organisers this year for securing more attractions for the younger generation. We need to get the youngsters excited about this great occasion, and in my opinion this is going the right way to do just that.

My family and I will definitely be getting involved in the Dickensian Day celebrations!

NAME SUPPLIED

Formby

Barber queue

IT was good to see that the owners of Church Road Barbers were not deterred when a car struck the front of their premises earlier this year.

If they have shown such determination to get their business up and running again than I sincerely hope there is a queue of eager customers out of the door waiting to have their hair cut as well as wanting to support Mr Kelly and his team.

If they can turn a crisis like that around then they deserve all our support.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED

Don’t let it die

IT would be a disaster if Formby were to lose guide and brownie packs if leaders do not come forward (Formby Times, November 18).

When I was a girl, there was nothing I looked forward to more each week than to join my friends for the local Brownie meeting.

I learned skills that I still value today, such as loyalty, determination in adversity and the importance of friendship.

I know that girls and teenagers still have friends and they don’t seem to have any trouble socialising, but I think they would all benefit from being part of this marvellous movement.

I would urge anyone who is of the right age and fitness to help keep the brownie and guide spirit alive to offer their services. We’ll only miss it more when it’s gone.

CONCERNED FORMER BROWNIE

Formby

Poignant image

THANK you for sharing the poignant images of the moment Steven Swarbrick’s name was unveiled on the war memorial in Formby.

It must have been a mixture of heartbreak and pride for his family and it just goes to show that, as much as we remember the final veterans of World War One who left us this year, there are still active troops out there, fighting in fields far, far away that we still need to give our full support to.

I will always think of Steven whenever I pass the monument.

MRS JAMESON

Formby

Bravo To Formby

I ENJOYED Tom Duffy’s interview with Andy McNab in this week’s Formby Times (November 18).

It’s good to see that our town can still draw in big names for such events, so congratulations to those who organised it - and to Fomby Times for supporting our local traders.

JOHN,

Address supplied

Veggie Christmas

GONE are the days when vegetarians are limited to a boring old nut roast at Christmas.

Readers maybe interested to know that veggie group Viva! have produced special Christmas recipe web pages featuring dozens of free and delicious vegetable-based dishes which will make cooking veggie this Christmas for a friend or relative a piece of cake!

Visit www.viva.org.uk/christmas for mouthwatering starters, main courses, side dishes and puddings, including: Parsnip and Potato Rosti served with Vegan Cream Cheese and Cranberry Sauce; Viva!’s Deluxe Chestnut, Port and Thyme Strudel; Vegan Yorkshire Puddings; Christmas Brandy Truffles and a Veggie Xmas Pudding!

For more help and information about eating or cooking veggie this Christmas – call Viva! on 0117 944 1000 or email info@viva.org.uk for your free Go Veggie Pack.

HELEN ROSSITER

Viva! Cookery writer

Show compassion

AS the Christmas season approaches, reindeer are being transported up and down the country to be used as entertainment in parades, Santa’s Grottos and other festive events.

Uprooting reindeer from their natural habitat and keeping them in captivity in this way causes significant health and welfare problems, and according to research at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, is thought to be linked to the recent increase in deaths in young reindeer, including seven reindeer who died from liver and gut flukes in Shropshire and another who died from a lung disease on a farm near Winchester. Quite simply, reindeer are not suited to living in the UK.

Animal Aid urges people to be compassionate this Christmas, and choose cruelty-free entertainment. For a free guide to having a Compassionate Christmas, please contact Animal Aid on 01732 364546 or info@animalaid.org.uk

ASHLEY OWEN

Animal Aid