Rivers of Oz need good neighbours

I HAVE this week returned from Australia after accepting the world prize for river management on behalf of the Mersey Basin Campaign.

This is about half way through its 25-year life span with the aim to have fish back in all our rivers by the year 2010.

The Mersey Basin area covers all the major rivers and tributaries between the Mersey itself and the Ribble This therefore covers our East Lancashire rivers, including the Darwen and the Calder.

Because of the Mersey's victory, I was taken on a tour to study how the Australian rivers around Brisbane are managed.

One major difference is that in Australia the local newspapers do not seem as interested in wildlife and conservation as they are in Lancashire.

The idea of having this Nature Watch column or setting up a Grimewatch competition., which has been part of the editorial philosophy of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, could not happen in Australia at the moment.

They are obviously missing a great opportunity because the people do have a great feeling for the wildlife of their river. Right in the centre of Brisbane, for example, I watched Australian pelicans feeding on the river which is a sure sign that there is plenty of fish.

Despite this, however, there are obvious pollution problems in and around the river.

This is why it was decided to hold an annual river symposium in Brisbane which brings together scientists from all over the world to study problems of river and estuary pollution.

We in the North West of England are obviously at the forefront of this research.

Another aspect of the fascinating wildlife of the Brisbane area is the presence of the sacred ibis, which is rare in some parts of the world.

Here they are so common that they scavenge for food in parks and gardens and there are notices up telling people not to feed the ibis!

The Mersey Basin Campaign works closely with national and local government, business and local volunteers. This partnership does not work so closely in Australia.

The idea of a company such as North West Water playing such a vital role has not yet evolved in Australia.

This will happen I am sure, but we will have to help them a little.

If we can't beat them at cricket or rugby, then perhaps the Poms can show the Aussies a thing or two about river management.

During my trip I was taken on a flight over the catchment area of the Brisbane river catchment.

For this trip I wore my Grimewatch sweater and this caused comment in the sense that they found it hard to believe that a local newspaper devoted time and money to the environment in such a positive sense.

I have been invited to return next year and to provide more details of how Grimewatch is run. Copies of this weekly Nature Watch column and the quarterly Mersey Basin Campaign newspaper will be sent out to Brisbane and hopefully these will become a blueprint for river management and conservation philosophy in Australia. THE DAILY POEM: Thoughts Things really confuse me, must be my age you'll say,

But some things seem so muddled as I look round today.

The young mum goes out shopping in a mini short and neat,

Her daughter's dress is pretty but, must it reach her feet?

The baby wears a jumpsuit like a pugilist,

Why hide these little dimpled knees tempting to be kissed?

But this is style and costly too, but they must keep in touch,

Then Granny thinks of her young days, make do and mend and such.

Her knitting and her sewing made for very busy days,

Home-made, but love in every stitch, the satisfaction pays.

As times have changed and fashion too, there's still one thing I'm sure,

The love and joy of family life forever will endure.

Mary Heppenstall

Ainsworth Square

Bolton Voter power is the way to beat apathy CONFRONTED by immense apathy in the elections for local councils and the European Parliament earlier this year - when up to three quarters of the people failed to vote - the government resorts to new measures aimed at making it easier and more convenient to vote. We are to see voting booths set up in shopping centres, railway stations, workplaces and post offices.

And there are to be experiments in changing the times or day of voting and even enabling stay-at-homes to vote by telephone or electronically on the Internet.

But however innovative these steps may be, they still bring to mind the old proverb that you can take a horse to water, but cannot make it drink. For short of forcing them to vote by lawthe crux of the issue of restoring the voters' interest is not such much that of better enabling them to vote, but of empowering them more.

For, surely, one of the greatest causes of electoral indifference is the sense among voters that casting their ballot is a waste of time and effort because they are unable to make any difference to the outcome. This may be a basic misconception but there are several grounds for this sentiment that inspires the stay-away syndrome - particularly for council elections and those for the perceivably remote European Parliament and its nigh-anonymous MEPs.

In the case of local government, where a council is already dominated by a single party and a third of the seats are up for election, then it is true that voters have little power to change things. And, in the European polls, where faceless people draw up the parties' lists of candidates on a regional basis, voters cannot be blamed for feeling they are being used as tools of endorsement rather than acting according to their own selection. Reform is needed in both these areas and perhaps with a stronger dose of proportional representation added - something the government blows hot and cold over. And London's forthcoming experience of getting an elected Mayor might well excite voter interest if the system was spread elsewhere and the holder of the office given strong executive powers.

Such steps to make every vote really count are what needs to be added to these reforms if the apathy is to be overturned. Troubled firm ditches boss TROUBLED furniture and fabrics group Cornwell Parker has ditched its chief executive James Moore after a dramatic plunge in profits and sales.

Chairman Barry Bramley said Mr Moore was "asked to leave" by the board before members voted to appoint chartered accountant Robert Alcock as the company's new deputy chairman and chief executive. Mr Moore was the first chief executive to be appointed from outside the founding Parker family and was hired in 1995 to help turnaround the struggling group which has its main distribution centre in Burnley

But the company has continued to see sales slip, with trading particularly difficult during the last year.

Profits before tax and exceptional items dropped to £4 million in the 12 months to July 31 compared to £9 million at the same time last year.

Total group turnover plunged from £92 million to £79.6 million, following a 14 per cent fall in fabric sales and 12.5 per cent drop in furniture sales. ELTEC leads the way A BID to keep a pioneering centre which helps improve the skills of East Lancashire managers has been backed by a leading entrepreneur.

The NVQ centre run by ELTEC has helped dozens of bosses study for higher level national vocational qualifications. And at a 'graduation' ceremony held at Mytton Fold Hotel, guest speaker Ian Gordon said it was an excellent facility that should be kept when TECs are dismantled in 2001.

"Its services are making a substantial contribution to the economic health of East Lancashire," said Mr Gordon, who founded telecommunications training firm Wray Castle Limited. "Whatever ails other TECs this ceremony illustrates the very cream of what these organisations can achieve and ELTEC once again has led the way." At the ceremony more than 70 managers received level four and five NVQ awards.

ELTEC chief executive Mark Price told the successful candidates that he was committed to ensuring that such initiatives would not be halted when TECs came to an end.

"We are determined that the centre will survive and prosper well into the new millennium." Starring role forTV company FAST-growing film and TV company Winchester Entertainment - headed by former Blackburn entrepreneur Gary Smith - has announced another big deal. The firm is going into business with educational publishers Dorling Kindersley to produce children's TV programmes. The new venture, Dorling Kindersley Winchester (DKW), will combine the resources and creative talents of subsidiaries Winchester Television and DK Vision to create educational children's television.

The deal comes on the back of last week's announcement of a multi-million dollar Hollywood.

"It is too early to say how much it may be worth, but the idea is really quite solid," a spokesman for Winchester Entertainment said today.

"DK have some superb ideas. Put that together with Winchester's enterprise and you have a strong combination."

Former QEGS pupil Gary Smith founded Winchester and owns more than 30 per cent of the stock market listed company.

It is behind the hugely successful children's characters Jellabies (known as Jellikins in the UK) and have four children's shows currently running and three more in development. Retreat for children REGARDING your Insight feature on fostering and adoption (LET, October 15), how sad it was to read of four little sisters looking for a home.

Yet, Chaigley Manor, near Clitheroe, will, and can, bring love and happiness to hundreds of such children. Already, more than 1,000 children have seen a new way of life there. It is beautiful. A party of four or eight people or even one person can now book a holiday or a short stay there. It is a wonderful retreat from everyday chores.

ADA GIBSON, Grange Street, Clayton-le-Moors. Badge holders are not all benefit scroungers I ADDRESS this to A Johnstone. You have enquired about how you can obtain what you call a "Magic Badge".

Please let me explain - being one of the "privileged" badge holders.

In my case, I was "lucky" enough to have been disabled with a club foot which, over the years, caused arthritis in my hips, feet and spine, and I know for sure that my problems are nothing compared to others who may look perfectly "healthy" as they leave their cars to walk to their destinations after being in severe pain both mentally and physically, but trying to be independent and avoid the patronising stares of the likes of you and others like you who are completely able-bodied and probably able to hold down a job and earn a decent salary.

I know there are some who abuse the system - but we are not all benefit scroungers, as you imply.

I manage to keep my car on the road with the help of my mobility allowance, which I receive on top of my state pension, which is probably the equivalent to what you spend on drink and bingo each week. Incidentally, just to make you "squirm" a little more - that is, if you have the compassion in you to enable you to do so - I underwent a hip replacement four years ago to ease my problems, only to suffer a stroke after the operation, which has added to my incapacity.

Do have a nice day!

Mrs M J Tanner

(address supplied) Increase is beyond belief THE PROPOSED 72p increase for a single pensioner is beyond all belief. Will the gas, electricity, water, rents, television, community tax, keep to 1.1pc.? I doubt that. Will MP's etc keep to 1.1pc? Not likely! I cannot buy a decent loaf of bread for that amount.

Then I read that asylum seekers are to get £150 a week. I haven't the words to express myself in disgust.

The man says go forward with New Labour. Who's kidding who?

Mr Marsden

Cressingham Road

Deane Care and support IN reply to your article last night about the unfortunate 'one off' incident about little Jessica Bryant being left on the coach.

I can only speak for myself and family, but I would like to commend the loving, caring ,and supportive environment Beechwood Nursery has provided for my three children over the past 10 years

Mrs C Woods

Elm Grove

Bromley Cross

Bolton Give a child a treat THE Leleka Fund is an officially-registered charity in Kiev which helps Ukrainian children in organising recuperative trips for those living in areas contaminated by radiation after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. We hope to find families or organisations able to receive Ukrainian children for Christmas and give them an opportunity to breathe clean air and to eat fresh, radiation-free food and to discover your culture and traditions.

Anyone who can help should write to me.

YURI SLOBODYANUK, President, Leleka Fund, PO Box 328, Kiev-2, 02002, Ukraine. E-mail: leleka@alfacom.net Far away friendships NOTHING beats a handwritten envelope with a foreign postage stamp carrying a letter from a friend in a far away place bringing news of their lifestyle and the traditions of their country.

Penfriendship can provide this opportunity and for those interested in this fascinating hobby there is International Pen Friends (IPF). It is regarded as one of the largest and longest running penfriend clubs in the world. It provides a worldwide service catering for ages 8-80 plus.

People join IPF to make new friends, while learning about the people of the world. Some value their penfriends among their closest friends. Many enjoy receiving letters from such differing areas as Siberia and the South Pacific Islands, while others write to people closer to home.

IPF's aim has always been to promote international goodwill and friendship and anyone wanting further information should write to me.

P WALKER, UK Co-ordinator IPF, PO Box 42, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1RU. Courtesy lacking MAY I reply to two of your correspondents (Yours Views, October 13). Both writers are attacking Mrs Christine Adams but showed such ignorance they failed to give her her title. So, in answering their points I am going to show the same disrespect to them. Therefore, Ivers, I would inform you that Mrs Adams is a lady with manners, as are most Conservatives.

Next, who is Councillor Stones as I fail to see any fiscal improvements in Farnworth which I rarely visit?Also, Ivers, Mrs Adams is observant. Your halo must be blinding you to the town's failing.

Now, Spencer, who presumes to be a Councillor but without manners to give neither Mrs Adamsn or Dr Brian Iddon their titles, Spencer dwells mostly on the tidiness of Farnworth. But on my rare visits to the town I wonder whenever the people in the town gather the rubbish they deposit on the streets and the lawns at the main entrance to the park plus the supposedly newly laid out patch at the King Street/Market Street corner. It is a perfect disgrace.

Ivers says millions of pounds have been invested in Farnworth. Does he daydream? I simply wonder if anything over £1 has been expended let alone the vast sum stated. I am sure Farnworth, or Fernworth, as it then was, was better planned, administered and cleaner when the Romans left in the 5th century.

Finally, gentlemen, I hope you will appreciate what it feels like to be impolitely treated. I have written in this vein to give you a taste of your own medicine and give you an instruction my dear late father always taught me. The lesson was this: "Remember courtesy is due to a beggar on the street".

Miss D Waters

Winifred Road

Farnworth Fan should have thought REGARDING Lionel Walsh being attacked at the Burnley v Brentford (LET, October 13) game, what did he think he was doing!

Who in their right mind goes to a Burnley match wearing a Blackburn Rovers' shirt when they are not playing against each other? I live in Accrington and support neither team, but like most people in East Lancashire, know of the fierce rivalry between both clubs. Did Mr Walsh not stop to think of what his action could cause?

It was unfortunate that he was attacked, but because of his stupidity, young children, pensioners or innocent by-standers could have been seriously injured.

Due to Mr Walsh and his so-called Christian viewpoint he has probably thrown another log on the fire which burns between both sets of fans. Where is he going next week? To a Rangers match in a Celtic shirt?

M SHACKLETON, Accrington (full address received). A full and frank analysis I FULLY support the BEN's reporting of the performance of Bolton's colleges as assessed by the Further Education Funding Council. The colleges are very much in the public domain and parents and prospective students need full information on all providers when making a choice of institution. I have to note, however, how very misleading the report on the former sixth form colleges was, especially in relation to the former North Bolton Sixth Form College. The analysis made by the Further Education Funding Council is of the achievement of all qualification aims. This is not the same, at all, as "examination success". This might be illustrated, following the article's by-line, by a tale of two students.

At South College, a student's qualification aims were made up of three A levels, plus General Studies, a total of four qualification aims. At North College, a typical student followed three A levels, plus General Studies, plus accredited enrichment courses which might add up to six or seven qualification aims. Students (and parents) were interested in the achievement of A levels and most having benefited from attending the enrichment activities declined to take the qualification. Achievement of A levels was high, but because the Funding Council aggregates all qualification aims, this fact is not conveyed.

The difference between the two former colleges is not as presented when key A level qualifications are considered. In 1999, the Bolton Sixth Form College's overall A level pass-rate was 90pc, and was identical on the two campuses (the former colleges). Clearly we are seeking to improve what is already high achievement, but the starting point is hardly as presented in the article.

Publication of information will, no doubt, be an issue again when the DFEE's league tables are published in November. Again, it will contain wholly insufficient information. Bolton Sixth Form College's average score will be influenced by the very large numbers it entered, three times the number of any other institution. The performance of its top 150 students was an average of 23.02, which can only be described as outstanding.

I do most sincerely hope that the BEN's tradition of responsible reporting will allow for a frank and full analysis of Bolton's institutions.

R Whittle

Principal

North Campus

Smithills Dean Road

Bolton Grane pain sufferer I READ with interest the article about the notorious Grane Road (LET, October 12) and I, too, am a fellow sufferer with increased Traffic using this road.

Although my son was involved in a bad accident on the road, he was fortunate to escape with only minor injuries. Unlike many of the accidents, it was not caused by speeding or inconsiderate driving, but by a stray sheep that had been killed and left to lie on the road for more than an hour after the police had been informed. My son was travelling home late at night on the unlit road and came upon what he thought was a human body in the road. Swerving to avoid it he hit the kerb and was catapulted over the dry stone wall into the adjoining field. He managed to escape through the window of the driver's door.

The car itself was crushed beyond recognition and when the police did finally attend, they thought they had come to a fatal incident. My son was travelling well inside the limit and had the accident not been witnessed by an off-duty policeman we would have questioned this. He was very lucky to be alive.

When we moved to Belthorn 10 years ago, we were told that a new motorway plan would relieve our road from most of the traffic. How gullible we were .

Traffic continues late into the night and every morning from 4.30am heavy goods vehicles rumble up the road.

Like your writer, we have witnessed many accidents on our own doorstep. Our row of cottages runs at 90 degrees to Grane Road. Each morning we take our lives in our own hands venturing to join the incessant throng of cars and lorries down the road.

It is not only the traffic travelling down that presents a problem, it is many cars overtaking slow-moving traffic coming up the road and barely missing the bonnet of our car.

Cars regularly park outside the public house next to our lane, which greatly reduces the ability to see downhill traffic.

WENDY HOWARD, Kendal Road, Belthorn. William Hague - "common sense measures" YOUR article highlighting Bolton North East Tories' support for William Hague's so called "common sense" measures for education, reinforces their position as the party of the few.

Not once was funding mentioned, which is no surprise when the Shadow Chancellor brands Labour's extra £19B as "irresponsible".

All the new proposals do is show that if the Tories are elected again they will increase selection in schools. The 17-year-old Tory in your article triumphs selection as he says it worked for him at Canon Slade. Try telling that to all those children who are barred from attending Canon Slade, even though it is their nearest school. The 17-year-old Tory does not bother about small matters like that because he was one of the lucky few.

We were led to believe that the Tories had learnt from their defeat, and that they were "listening". The fact that they are still pursuing policies designed to benefit the few shows that they have learnt nothing at all.

Nick Peel

Exeter Avenue

Tonge Moor We'd rather have health A JOHNSON of Radcliffe Road, would like to know how to acquire a "magic orange badge for disabled parking. I will tell him/her how.

First you awake one morning, as my husband did, with an agonising crushing pain in your chest. You have had a heart attack. You are "touch and go" for a few weeks, and then spend the next 14 weeks lazing around in bed.

You leave your well paid job on the advice of a "friendly" doctor, and join the band of "privileged" welfare recipients, and become "weighed down" with an invalidity allowance.

This allowance is a few pounds more than income support, but these few pounds are gleaned back in such things as rent and community charge.

As for "privileges" we have found none.

Now you find yourself with the princely sum of £112.95, £1.06 in excess of income support and so you have to pay in full for your prescriptions, in our case £53 a month. These we juggle depending on whose need is most urgent at the time.

Your partner could also jump on the bandwagon, as I have done. I am a bronchial asthmatic. Stress has greatly affected my condition.

Don't forget to 'look perfectly healthy' as we do, it is not obvious we are ill.

You will find shops now are too expensive. Car boot sales now are for you. So you don't go to the town often, but when you do you will drive around to find a disabled parking space. There are not many, and you will probably find most of them occupied by cars WITHOUT orange badges, so you are obliged to park 'anywhere'.

Mr/Mrs Johnson, you can have our orange badge with pleasure, but in return could we have your health, but not your compassion.

Mrs D Perks

Cromford Close, Halliwell Not in keeping? SO the planners are to visit the site of the Farnworth Baptist Church, because the building planned "would not be in keeping with the Town Hall and Library".

I suggest they cross the road to Farnworth Park opposite the site in question, to look at "Bolton's biggest eyesore" the derelict site and factory which juts into the park, or else, they could walk 50 yards to Gladstone Road, one of Bolton's main thoroughfares, where they would see the mill at close quarters.

It seems a waste of time and money to visit the church site, with which most of the planners will be familiar anyway, and ignore the monstrosity round the corner. Unless, of course, they intend to make the old ruined mill a listed building "in keeping with" the rest of Farnworth.

George K Brown

Barncroft Road, Farnworth Angry at the Lottery decisions I HAVE received this morning an appeal from St Dunstan's for a contribution. St Dunstan's is, as I am sure you know, a charity which cares for men and women who were blinded in the service of their country. They do not receive Government help and they have been turned down for a Lottery grant. I was very angry when the Roy Castle Cancer Appeal was turned down by the Lottery; and now this. We hear all about the "arty" projects being given money. The last I heard about was "art" shows in several farm buildings in Yorkshire, the "exhibitions" consisting of farm implements. I know several people who feel as I do and I think it is time our views were made known to whoever decides on the distribution of money from the Lottery funds. I would like to hear the views of the readers of the BEN on this subject.

(name and address supplied) Picture puzzle I was wondering if it would be possible to buy a photograph of the Lowry picture Going to the match? If so, how much would it cost?

Mrs Marlene Owen

Lock Lane

Chew Moor

Lostock Go public! AS A Johnstone who wrote about orange badges appears to have Labour Party preferences, perhaps he/she would be better using public transport, thereby following the policies of "two Jags Prescott", easing his/her mind and saving parking fees.

Not disabled and thankful

Salford Road

Over Hulton Solutions to accidents ONCE more we read of another accident at the notorious Freckleton Street-Canterbury Street junction in Blackburn (LET, October 8).

In my view, there are two solutions. The cheaper one is to place a large 'spot' at the centre and have everyone acknowledge it as a mini-roundabout, with priority being given to drivers coming from the right!

The other is to look at the whole area and re-arrange the one-way system.

First, there should be no left turn on to Freckleton Street from Weir Street. Next, the whole of St Peter Street should be one way from Mincing Lane to Byrom Street and it given priority over Freckleton Street.

Canterbury Street should be one way from Harrison Street to Freckleton Street and it given priority over Byrom Street, or a mini roundabout placed at the junction.

In essence, this would create a large roundabout, hopefully with a safer traffic flow.

Furthermore, something should be done to assist vehicles coming into town down King Street (Whalley Banks) and to stop 'lane switching' where the road narrows and where three lanes are needed - one for those wanting to turn right into Byrom Street, another for the town centre and another for those travelling up Montague Street.

This could be achieved by extending the wider section of the road to Stonyhurst Road. Another option would be to have the 'right turn' further up King Street - along Pearson (Chapel) Street on to Byrom Street - thereby allowing vehicles more space from the traffic lights, enabling them to pass on the left and correct themselves for the 'T' junction!

FRANK WEAVER, Selborne Mews, Witton, Blackburn. Stars failed to twinkle THE latest edition of Celebrity Stars In Your Eyes, on TV was, to say the least, poor.

Who cooked up this idea? It seems to me like a case of jobs for the boys.

Are we supposed to accept these acts are good because the personalities are well known in their various fields? This country is brimming with talent and people seeking to make inroads into show business. To narrow down the field to already-famous faces, who may be low on talent, seems a tragedy. Did they go through the same auditions that other contestants face in whittling down the numbers? I doubt it.

The original idea was okay. There is a need to show off people from all walks of life who wish to take the opportunity offered, but the 'Celebrity Stars' on TV at the moment are failing to twinkle.

K SOWERBUTTS (Mr), Southwood Drive, Baxenden. Under the shadow of Leylandii trees . . . I REFER to your story on Leylandii trees on Saturday, October 16.

There are inaccuracies and omissions which need to be addressed.

Mr Bolton says that he was never approached about the problem, but a resident did write to him some years ago, and as a result he did make a reduction of about two feet.

In addition to this, North British Housing Association who are responsible for the management of Greenmount Court also say that they have made many representations to Mr Bolton, but without result.

The other major point which needs to be made is that residents of Greenmount Court have bought and paid for their lease, but also pay a high monthly service charge to North British for the management of the site. It would appear that the residents must now pursue this, and other problems including liaison with our local MP, Bolton Council and if necessary the Press.

Finally, we are grateful for the sympathetic and professional help given to us by the Environmental Department. They stand out as an example of service that others could follow.

(name and address supplied) Referendum not binding THE news that there is to be a referendum on the proposed supermarket development at Great Harwood (LET, October 7) came as a complete surprise to the Labour members of Hyndburn Council's development services committee, as it did to the Tory members, who apparently knew nothing about council leader Peter Britcliffe's idea to call a referendum. Don't get me wrong - there is a proper place for local referendums. However, the referendum at Great Harwood is not binding, as the council's policy and resources committee has the final say on whether the council land is sold to the developers.

As planning permission has already been granted, it is reasonable to ask just what is the point of holding the referendum.

At the end of the day, power over this matter still rests with the committee, not with the people. It looks to me that this referendum is a £4,000 publicity stunt to prop up Peter Britcliffe's crumbling administration.

If Hyndburn's Tories now believe that planning decisions should be decided by referendum, I challenge them to allow the people of Huncoat to have their say on the proposed central Huncoat development, now that the precedent has been set in Great Harwood.

Why not call a 'proper' referendum where the decision is binding, one way or the other and let the people really decide?

COUN DAVE PARKINS, Bolton Avenue, Huncoat. Conveyor belt had more than 15 repairs A LABOURER died after being crushed by a paper baling machine which was in such poor condition that a repairman thought it was derelict, an inquest heard.

Steven Donald, 17, of York Close, Clayton-le-Moors, died after he was trapped under a conveyor belt at recycling firm EW Cartons in Rishton. Machine operator Ian Perkins said that on August 10, 1998, he walked across the company's yard at York Mill, York Street, leaving Mr Donald loading a conveyor belt with cardboard.

He heard Mr Donald scream, ran to the machine and saw Mr Donald was trapped under the belt with only his head, shoulders and chest showing.

Mr Perkins switched off the machine and driver Mark Speak dialled 999 on his mobile phone. The pair cut through the belt but could not free Mr Donald because his chest was trapped under a metal strut.

Firefighters freed him and he was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary. Despite operations, he died on August 21 from multiple organ failure as a result

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.