ON reading the letter by A Weymouth of Burton-in-Kendal, and noting his concern at the use of nom de plumes in the media, I was somewhat puzzled as to why he should raise such a matter at this particular time, when let's face it, such a practice has been a feature of the media, and indeed literature itself for time immemorial, e.g. Boz, George Eliot, Acton Bell etc. Indeed a nom de plume can in itself be of interest, for example such Lancashire writers as Vargo Staten, John Cotton, Poulton Cross and Teddy Ashton etc.

So what was the purpose of this letter? Is it possible that this is the same Tony Weymouth who lectured at the University of Central Lancashire and was a colleague of Cllr Stanley Henig for some considerable time, and was involved in the same Centre for European Studies? If this were to be the case, then one can understand his concern, but surely if that supposition is correct, should he not concentrate on the justifications of Cllr Henig's actions rather than try to operate a backdoor approach and attack the use of pen names.

Again if this is the same A Weymouth I think his case for "both sides of the coin being welcome" is somewhat down graded whilst his claim for democracy surely must allow all aspects of a democratic process to be exercised.

Finally, may I point out that as A Weymouth lives in Burton-in-Kendal he will be protected from any financial burden which falls on the ratepayers of the Lancaster district which again raises the question of motivation.

Mr Waterman,

Thistlefield

Over Kellet.

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