Crosses should be welcomed
I HAD an Observer article from Wed 30th May shown to me the other day regarding the erection of a 23ft timber cross on farmland off Edenfield Road Norden.
What a fantastic idea this project is, a symbol of our Christianity for people to admire and probably use as a place to ponder and draw attention to our Christian heritage away from the madding crowd.
I personally have this down as one of the best ideas for the people of the area whether church goers or not, it would stand as a symbol for people that may wish to contemplate or pray in the solitude of the moorland.
It’s truly unbelievable that some planning officials think or have been told to deem this an inappropriate development using the excuse that it would be within a green belt.
These officials must never have been over the North Yorkshire moors and similar places and taken note of the many crosses that add to the landscape and cultural heritage of the areas.
Whoever came up with the lamest of excuses that it would detract from the visual amenities and landscape of the area clearly doesn’t know what a cross is.
These good people that had this wonderful idea of uniting the churches of the area for Rochdale aren’t asking for the erection of more unsightly wind turbines blotting the landscape which the planning officers may have noticed on the Rochdale skyline or even the number of extremely tall minarets rising from the roofs of the mosques that come into view as the visitor to Rochdale drives down Halifax Road.
A cross is crossshaped, blocking nothing out from the landscape, it’s not spinning round or a PA system calling people to prayer – it’s a welcome to Rochdale and a reminder of the tranquillity and peace the area still has to offer. A. Jones
CLOSURES ARE COMING AGAIN
AGAIN Rochdale is targeted by more closures. Cafe on Drake Street, H Samuels on Market Way. Plus Royal Bank of Scotland.
Yet a third shopping centre has just begun and only three stores have signed up out of the 25 they were expecting.
It’s time our councillors revealed the truth what is really happening, or is it just another cover up, which they don’t seem to be good at? Curious
BEHAVIOUR IS HORRENDOUS
I WONDER how many of your readers have been subjected to the appalling behaviour of people in ●●This image of Rochdale was submitted by Andy Ashworth. Email your pictures to us at rochdaleobserver@menmedia.co.uk or upload them to flickr.com/groups/rochdalepics public houses, clubs and restaurants of late.
The norm now seems to be to engage in loud raucous laughter, shouting across the room and constantly walking about.
My wife and I, together with another couple, could not converse with each other on Sunday because of this disgusting noise from nearby tables, not from young people on this occasion but middleaged and elderly people. Naturally, the more they drank, the louder the noise became.
Further, go into any coffee shop, that is, if you can for prams and pushchairs and see parents buried in their mobile phones whilst their children scream for attention or run amok.
What example are these people setting their children? They probably just don’t care. Name and address supplied
VOLUNTEERS ARE A DELIGHT
I THOUGHT I would like to say thank you to the dedicated volunteers who are keeping Littleborough looking beautiful.
These folk give their time to help keep the village attractive to visitors and as an instance I attach a photo of the area between the canal and the railway station. It has just been spruced up and clearly there are flower baskets to be added soon.
We are truly very lucky to have such volunteers. Thank you all. Roger Sargent