Facebook comments
MANY of our readers were moved to comment on our story about a homeless man being stabbed in the town centre.
Samantha Balme: Despicable cowards/ bullies/thugs attacking the most vulnerable members of our society, homeless people already suffer daily abuse from ignorant people, when they’re already at rock bottom. What has it come to that some people think his life doesn’t matter because he’s homeless – it’s heartbreaking and disgusting and I hope they find the vile scumbags and very publicly shame/punish them.
Amanda Pickles: This is heartbreaking, the man’s in enough pain being homeless never mind being stabbed. I hope he’s on his way to full recovery and gets help to get off the streets and help to find a home and also the people who did this are caught and put away. Their actions need punishment.
Tammy Townsley: This is absolutely shocking – the poor guy. I truly hope they catch whoever did this and punish them suitably. Well done to those who helped. Sadly I think the mayor might be missing the point a bit ‘...And for it to happen just before Christmas, they have no respect for this special time’. WHAT? I don’t think it’s relevant that he was stabbed in the run up to Christmas. What IS relevant is that the poor chap was stabbed AT ALL, and that he is forced to live on the streets. Cuts to services for the vulnerable just cannot be allowed to continue.
Cailline Lea: This is awful! Poor man. It’s so worrying that people are walking around with knives and stabbing vulnerable people.
Jo Bailey: This is such an awful thing to happen in our town. Unfortunately walking around the town of late, you notice the homelessness increasing and more vulnerable people living on the streets whom are open to all kinds of mishaps and avoidable abuse. There are plenty of buildings closed, no longer in use by councils, which would suitably house a good few homeless people especially at this time of year as the cold weather approaches. It’s an absolute disgrace that facilities are being cut to help and support the vulnerable. Isn’t it bad enough that this man was sleeping rough on the streets then he goes and gets attacked by some mindless thug/ thugs who have to attack a man who’s already down on his luck ... SHAME ON THEM. They deserve the same treatment back ten times over.
LOTS of readers took to our facebook page to pay tribute to Timothy Richards, the owner of Gawsworth Hall.
Mandy Woo Hart: Awww RIP. I’ll never forget the first time I met him, booked concert tickets, he insisted on showing me the concert area etc, then on the day of the concert he walked down to open the gate and let us in. He reminded me of Willy Wonka, such a lovely man
Antony Allen: No way. I had an operation recently and he was on same ward. Both on a day case. We sat and chatted for hours. Had no idea who he was. Lovely bloke.
Linda Ascroft: So sorry to hear this. I will miss seeing him at the entrance to Gawsworth Hall, welcoming the visitors when the fairs etc were taking place.
Julie-Ann Bennett: What a great character he was, the events won’t be quite the same x
Sue Gilliver: A true gentleman, always made me smile whilst waiting at the ‘gate’, will certainly never be forgotten. x
Paul Reynolds: So sad. He was such a nice guy and a real character. He will be missed introducing the events....
Gill Henshall: The open air concerts won’t be the same without his little speech at the beginning! Very sad. RIP.
Karen Barker: Ahh bless him. Such a lovely gent. Will really miss his special introductions at his outdoor theatre events.
Geoff Sanders: He was a real gentleman.
Kimberley Jayne Phillips: He will be sadly missed – what a lovely gent.
Vivienne Landers: RIP Richard, will miss you at the outdoor concerts.
Gillian Roberts: A very kind gentleman RIP.
Mel Pearson: Lovely gentleman RIP.
Len Wood: One of the really nice English gentlemen...RIP.
Sharon Hough: Remember him very well, full of fond memories.