My shock at number of people on streets Cyclists are major risk
RECENTLY I attended a business seminar in Manchester.
I stayed in a city centre hotel and as I walked to and from Ask Italian restaurant I noticed a high number of street/rough sleepers – indeed some industrious and kind-hearted volunteers even had a trolley from which they handed out food to the rough sleepers.
I travel extensively nationally and internationally, and struggle to recall such high level of street sleepers on the streets of any city in the western world – indeed the last time I recall seeing such high numbers would be in the 1980s in on London’s South Bank.
I have watched as Manchester has been reinvigorated by considerable investment and regeneration, but I feel the large numbers of rough sleepers reflect poorly on the city.
I appreciate that the circumstances of many of the rough sleepers may indeed be complex and difficult but I feel that before Manchester can take it’s place at the hub of any Northern Powerhouse it needs to address the needs of the many vulnerable street sleepers who represent something of an uncomfortable stain on the reputation of your fine city. Drew Gardner, Somerset SOME years ago I wrote to the head of Eccles town centre about the cycling down Church Street, from the bridge at the top to the bus station at the bottom.
The road is pedestrianised but it is a steep incline from top to bottom.
I complained of dangerous cycling and was told there was a ‘no cycling’ sign and that police should pick up any offenders.
Since then there is a sign permitting cycling down Church Street.
The bikes go fast down the street in numbers and is extremely dangerous especially for elderly people and toddlers and mothers with prams.
Somebody is going to get badly hurt or even worse unless this is stopped. J Wallis, Eccles
Eurovision here to stay
WHAT on earth is David Christer waffling about (Brexit song and dance, Viewpoints, February 23)?
Who cares about the Eurovision Song Contest?
It is a nonsensical waste of money, and yes, we could compete if we wanted! Unbelievably Israel is involved in this annual horror show, and what part of Europe is that Mr Christer?
Brexist, unfortunately, does not mean No More Eurovision! James Hazel, Hale
Searching for lost family
I AM writing for help in finding my long-lost family.
My 70th birthday last year prompted this search as I am almost completely without relatives.
I have lived away from the Manchester area most of my life but I was born and raised in the Stretford, Chorlton and Whalley Range area.
I was born in 1946 and my mother – Kathleen Mary Hooley – died when I was a baby in 1947.
My father Hector Hooley remarried in 1951 and he died in 1961 when I was 15 and my stepmother Hazel Hooley lived in Manchester until she died in 1993.
It is my father’s family I am trying to contact.
He had a brother Joseph Warren Hooley born 1905, died in 1951.
Apparently he had one daughter, Audrey Hooley, born in 1934, who married William O’Callaghan in 1952 in Bucklow.
She had two sons, Barry O’Callaghan born in 1953 and Gary O’Callaghan, born in 1954.
Barry had two children, Lisa Jane, born in 1973, and Gary in 1978.
Gary had one daughter, Leah Jane, born in 1996.
I would like to make contact with any of them. I have had an interesting life, having been a magistrate, worked in adult education and have had the opportunity to travel, but I feel a great hole in my life through a lack of contact with living relatives.
I can be contacted via phone or email. Jennifer Carter nee Hooley, Loughborough (Contact details supplied)