David was a Chorley lad and had attended Parklands High School.
We only get a couple of days' notice about such events but felt strongly that the effort had to be made to go down to Wootton Bassett and pay our respects.
Four members of the Chorle
y and District-Ex Services and Chorley and Leyland Guardian reporter Natalie Banks were joined by three members from the British Legion for a 6am meet so we could begin our journey.
It was very rewarding to find that other Chorley people had also made the journey, about 30 in all.
When the vehicle carrying David's coffin stopped at the Cenotaph in the town, David's family, including his wife and two children, mother and sister, covered the roof with roses.
I can assure everyone that it's impossible not to be deeply moved by the experience.
It makes one extremely proud of our little market town of Chorley, when so many make the effort to support one of our heroes.
Coun Eric Bell, chairman
Chorley Ex-Services Association
We need more info
Dear editor, I write in response to the recent story in the Guardian (January 27) and Graham Archer's letter (February 3) regarding Chorley Council's pay off of £932,000 to 22 redundant staff.
I think that this figure needs to be explained more fully to the council taxpayers on the basis that it represents more than 620 Band D council tax payments.
Yes, more than 620 of us have paid £1,500 each to fund these pay-offs.
The figure quoted indicates an average payout of more than £42,000 per person made redundant. How can this be justified? What would the figure have been if they had received statutory redundancy payments instead?
Averages are, of course, just that and it probably means that some people would have received more and some less. My suspicion is that the four senior managers received a much more substantial pay off.
The council should, as a matter of courtesy to us taxpayers, provide a full breakdown of the cost of this exercise and an indication of where, exactly, the ongoing savings are coming from.
It should also reassure us that costs are not being shifted from its revenue budget into its pension fund.
Perhaps they might provide this information to the Guardian as soon as possible? If they 'never discuss individual cases' it might be time to seek it the via the Freedom of Information Act?
Richard Davies
Heath Charnock
Chorley
Dear editor, the publication of Sir Thomas Legg's report on MPs' expenses has revealed that 390 MPs across the country are required to repay a total sum of £1.12m previously claimed from the taxpayer as second home expenses.
This is not the end of this disgraceful episode. It has emerged that the cost to the taxpayer of Sir Thomas Legg's inquiry is £1.16m. This is more than the amount of money MPs have to repay!
When someone is found guilty of an offence in court it is not unusual for costs to be awarded against the offender as well.
So would it not be reasonable for the MPs involved to pay an additional premium, say 10 per cent, based on the amount of money each has to pay back for allowances falsely claimed?
This would not please some MPs, but they need to consider their futures in all respects.
Perhaps our own MP could raise an Early Day Motion on this and thus float the idea in the House of Commons.
MPs hoping to stay in situ need to remember that many constituents are exceedingly displeased with the whole shabby episode and may vote with their feet at the coming election, which would be a shame.
Kathy Willeard
Chorley Old Road
Whittle-le-Woods
Dear editor, as the former chair of RAWS (Residents Against Waste Site), although annoyed, I wasn't that surprised to see Lancashire County Council is now planning to dump more waste in Farington (Leyland Guardian, February 10).
The area is now dedicated to waste and they can and will basically dump anything they want ever since the waste plant was given planning permission.
If anything, I am just shocked the proposals haven't happened sooner.
The consultation process, as it turned out to be with the RAWS campaign, is just a tick box exercise and I feel sorry for those who feel taking part in the council's 'consultation' will achieve anything, other than an opportunity to vent frustration at so-called elected representatives.
Andy Farrell
Leyland
Dear editor, today I was the unlucky one, or should I say my mother was the unlucky one.
Parked up on the Flat Iron, blue badge and clock on the dashboard, taking mum to the opticians.
Warden watching, poised to pounce, check the badge, oh no, here I go, blue badge displayed wrongly.
Another penalty out of the bag, slap it on the screen, £50, and off we go.
I was absolutely furious on our return. Surely a better system needs to be agreed on?
Anne Wilding
Park Road
Chorley
Dear editor, many thanks to the kind people who helped me when I fell near Euxton Library on Thursday, January 21.
Also the ambulance and A&E service and staff that looked after my daughter.
It is nice to know there are a lot of caring people about.
Thanks again.
Name and address supplied
