Syd drove them up the wall!

I WAS interested to read the story of the climbing wall at the YMCA in Hoghton Street being reopened, and I am reminded of back in the early ’90s, when the wall was first opened.

I was the mayor’s attendant, and I took the then mayor, the late Syd Whitby, to the opening.

And Syd, not known for tact, put both feet in it.

At the south end of Lord Street lay the frame of the late lamented Sybeck buildings.

The company had been building what was to be Southport’s answer to the Metro Centre.

But it had gone bust and, for years, the steel frame stood as a stark reminder – which takes us back to Syd.

He opened the climbing wall, and then made a speech, suggesting that, after the young people had trained on this wall, they may like to go down to the other end of Lord Street, and put their newly-learned skills to the test and try climbing the Sybeck frame.

The council’s CEO was not amused, neither was the legal department.

The mayor was invited to attend a meeting in the CEO’s office and asked to kindly think before making such remarks in the future. Fred McCann Mayor’s attendant (retired)

CHEW OVER THIS IDEA

SEFTON Council has recently completed the refurbishment of pavements between Portland Street and Duke Street and the final effect is a great improvement.

Unfortunately, I have to ask how long it will be before it looks like the rest of the pavements in Southport, when people start spitting out and throwing away their chewing gum, creating what can only be described as a filthy environment.

The recent report produced by the Local Government Association is recommending the introduction of a chewing gum tax, the proceeds of which could be remitted to local authorities to help with this everincreasing problem.

As a former deputy chairman of the LGA I know, before any policy decision is taken, the extent to which it goes through a rigorous process of assessment so this is not a casual call from the LGA.

At the end of the day, it’s sad to say that we are talking about people’s behaviour and I wonder how many of the people concerned go home and spit gum on to their carpets and floors. Sir Ron Watson Prospective Conservative candidate for Dukes Ward

LISTEN TO CONCERNS

FACEBOOK’S new Messenger Kids app, aimed at children under 13, has been the subject of controversy in America where it is being trialled.

Almost 100 US child health experts recently wrote to Facebook’s chief executive to raise concerns about its potential risks to children and called for its withdrawal.

Ahead of its anticipated UK launch, an online YouGov survey, for Barnardo’s, of 1,000 parents has revealed similar anxieties.

Ninety per cent of parents have concerns about their young children using Facebook’s new Messenger Kids service and more than half (51%) would not currently let their child use it, according to the survey for Barnardo’s.

More than half (52%) expressed