I was fined for feeding pigeons in city centre Teach kids about LGBTQ
I WAS fined £50 for feeding a few stale slices of bread to pigeons in Piccadilly Gardens this week.
There were no signs saying this was prohibited and I have spoken to a dozen or so people since, and none of them have ever heard of this.
This is a fixed penalty so I have no right of appeal and if I don’t pay within ten days it goes up to £85.
I am just writing this letter to warn other people. Maybe the council can be assured of a steady source of income by not publicising this.
There was no litter, and no danger of rats, as the bread is eaten within seconds.
Considering the filthy state of Manchester streets, I don’t think I could possibly make them any worse. Estelle Beninson, Prestwich
Fan escort is unnecessary
WE’RE forever being told how financially stretched Greater Manchester Police are, yet they felt the need to use ten police vans and countless officers to escort nearly 3,000 Young Boys fans on the three mile journey to Old Trafford.
We were told that they were merely respecting the traditions of the visiting Swiss fans, as they march to every away ground.
But without going into detail about the fact that English fans are lucky to be treated humanely on the continent, let alone never expect their expectations to be prioritised over those of the tax-paying locals, why do the wishes of some football fans in the city for just 24 hours or so trump those of residents of Greater Manchester who need their services? Plus, the last thing the city needed was a further strain on the already nightmarish traffic during rush hour.
Furthermore, as someone who often has to really plead his case just to get his life-saving medicine inside Old Trafford when being searched at the turnstiles, it always irks me when visiting fans manage to take several flares into the ground, despite there being pyro dogs outside the away turnstiles.
I actually encourage the responsible use of flares in the ground; they are a spectacular site and can add to the atmosphere. Yet were a home fan to bring one in, he or she would be banned for life. Some fairness and common sense would be welcome for future Champions League games at United. Mark Stephens, Stockport
Canal deaths not murder
ANY drownings in the canal are of course totally heartbreaking.
While reading local newspapers from over 100 years ago for WW1 research, I would say that canal deaths are not new and I would suggest there is not a serial killer unless the killer is 100+ years old.
All are very tragic accidents, not murders. Julie Lee, via email
Root out fake ‘homeless’
SO-CALLED ‘homeless.’ They have been pulling the wool over peoples eyes for years. The majority of then have a home, same as the majority of them are drug users who can and do earn in excess of £150 a day – the dog being their ‘props.’ Its time the so-called mayor rooted out the users/alckies from the genuine poor souls. Barb Sue, Middleton BARNARDO’S is calling for an end to homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying and highlighting the need to educate all children and adults about hate crime.
As the UK’s largest children’s charity, Barnardo’s is urging the government to listen to feedback from our latest relationship and sex education consultation. The current guidance refers to different types of relationships but Barnardo’s research has shown there needs to be explicit reference to LGBTQ relationships in secondary school lessons and same-sex relationships in primary school lessons.
Bullying at school, including homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying, can be hugely harmful to young people’s wellbeing and mental health.
It’s absolutely vital that we tackle bullying behaviour early, before it becomes a hate crime. That’s why we’re calling on the government to make sure all children learn about LGBTQ relationships as part of the relationship and sex education curriculum.
Lessons should also cover bullying and hate crime, encouraging young people to understand the role they can play in promoting equality and respect.
Barnardo’s has free lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) resources available online to teachers and other professionals working with children, to help them better educate children about same sex relationships and gender and sexual identities.
The free animations and classroom activities, which are age appropriate and aimed at primary and secondary schools, sit alongside Barnardo’s existing Real Love Rocks resources, which teach children about healthy relationships, consent and grooming.
To download the free LGBTQ resources or find out more about Barnardo’s Real Love Rocks education materials, please visit http://www.barnardosrealloverocks. org.uk/dashboard/. Lynn Perry, Director Barnardo’s North West