Beware... idiot on the tracks
On Saturday my wife and I were walking along Southport Pier when we spotted the tram which was travelling towards the seaward end of the pier.
Suddenly, a youth of about 14 decided to lie on the tracks.
This youth cared nothing for the fear in the eyes of the female tram driver as she sounded a warning.
He left it until the last possible moment to jump out of the way. I would say he was seconds from being hit.
Had this youth been hit his parents no doubt would be on the TV news and in the papers saying what a lovely boy he was with a bright future.
Well, let me remind such parents the cemeteries are full of foolish people who think they can cheat death.

Safety Concious Grandparent (name and address supplied)

Please, don't deface 'my' beloved Square
We moved away from Preston some years ago but a friend kindly saves editions of the Evening Post and passes them on to us.
I have only just caught up with some of the correspondence about the development of Winckley Square. I think it would be a severely retrograde step as it is an oasis of calm in a busy city.
Sixty years ago I used to walk through the square to school. The railings had been taken down (to make planes to defeat the Germans, I was told). It had become very overgrown but I used to wend my way through and I have always thought that 'my' routes became the official paths when the square was cleared.
During our year at Winckley we were taken on nature walks which perhaps instilled a love of nature in us townies. I started work in an office in Winckley Street and my first job each day was to deliver letters to the offices around the square, so I was still walking through the park.
Many times since, when visiting Preston, we have taken a walk through the square and were glad to see many office-workers having their lunch on the grass. Please do not develop it in the way suggested.
Think back to the 1950s and 60s when the council mistakenly got rid of many of our historic buildings to the detriment of the town. A statue to Edmund Harris is a good idea because if any more of his benefaction is destroyed he, too, will be forgotten.

A L Turner, Rossendale, via email

They're libraries, and not creches
I am a frequent user of libraries in the county and spent a number of years studying at the local university. Sadly over the last few months the noise in these libraries has become ridiculous.
These buildings can no longer validly be called libraries as they are being used primarily as creches. As I am typing this, I can hear another chorus of Jingle Bells, not to mention If You're Happy And You Know It, Stamp Your Feet, with a cacophony of loud and, it has to be said, out-of-tune musical instruments.
The library says this is only an occassional thing but it is going on every time I visit.
I in no way object to children being introduced to libraries in the way I was as a child – ushered in quietly and taught to respect the silence – but there is a time and a place for this sort of thing, and the library is not it. If this policy continues they will find their die-hard users have all gone because it's too noisy to read anything.
I suspect that whoever is in charge of this new policy, has never been an avid library user or indeed reader.
Richard, via email (full name and address supplied)
Kids should be told the need for silence
I heartily endorse the letter regarding the noise in Longton Library. I visit many of the Lancashire libraries and Longton is definitely the noisiest.
Children should be brought up to know that libraries are quiet places where people come to read, work and browse quietly. They are not set a good example by the staff who cannot conduct a quiet conversation among themselves. Mobile phones should be turned off.

J Walton, Castle Walk, Penwortham

Don't forget those Tiananmen scenes
No matter how spectacular the Beijing Olympics turn out to be, no matter how well organised, I will not be able to get the TV footage of the Tiananmen Square Massacre out of my mind.
It happened 19 years ago, but there is still not much evidence that China is any less authoritarian or any more a friend of democracy and freedom of speech.
When the Games are over, and China has succeeded in its public relations campaign, I hope the world still remembers those brave protesters of June '89 and doesn't run away with the idea that the Chinese leaders have suddenly seen the light.

Name and address supplied.

We want two leading lads – but hurry!
We are a casting company looking for two Afro Caribbean youngsters aged 12-14 to play lead roles in a feature film, which will be shot in Manchester from the end of September.
This is very short notice, but If you're interested please come along to an open call at The Central Building, Oldham Street, Manchester M1 1TQ between 11am and 4pm tomorrow, Wednesday, August 6.
No previous experience is necessary – we can't stress that enough. The kids will just have a picture taken and have a relaxed/informal chat on camera. Recalls will be made soon after. For those who go on to be in the film it will be fully paid work.
Des Hamilton Casting is the company which cast and found budding actors for films such as Dear Frankie, Bullet Boy, Green Street and This is England

Kerry Smith, casting assistant, via email

Lourdes youngsters an absolute delight
I have just returned from a visit to Lourdes with Lancaster Diocese. With us were over 100 young people who were an absolute delight and far removed from the headlines we see so often of knives, drugs and fights.
Congratulations to them and indeed everyone who gave their time so readily to help others.

Valerie Tudor by email.

Solved: Mystery of The Prestons
Thank you very much for publishing my appeal for information about The Prestons, in relation to my fortchoming book about the 1960s music scene in the North West.
It has really worked out well.
Phil Eaves, author of the book Xtrabop, is now in touch with me and can help me with most of my questions and also a photograph of the band.
He is also giving me additional information about another Preston group, featured in my book: "David John and the Mood".

Manfred Kuhlmann, Bielefeld, Germany.