In my opinion this land has been wasted as a "dog toilet" for too long, so whatever the plans are for this area, they can only be an improvement.
I would also like to point out that a lot of the residents who objected to the cricket ground being built on this land years ago actually sold their houses and moved away to others areas after they had stopped this development, how selfish and narrow minded was that?
I hope the land is developed and I hope someone will have the hindsight to involve the local teenagers in its development.
At the moment they have nothing to do apart from roam the streets getting in all sorts of trouble because there is nothing for them in this area. At the end of the day, when members of this so-called community action group are dead and gone another generation who have played a part in this development coming to life will be able to enjoy it with their children and grandchildren. Sometimes it is not only the council who can be arrogant and high handed.
TRACY WEBSTER WALSH, Lyndhurst Road, Burnley

How could these councillors support the BNP candidate?
DURING a meeting of the full council on December 13th, councillors had to elect a representative of the council to the board of Padiham Life. Previously the council representative was a Lib-Dem member, who resigned on the basis of a possible conflict of interest with their position on the council Executive. A totally valid reason supported by all members of the council.
Surprisingly, the Lib-Dems did not put forward a non-Executive member as an alternative for the position and the council was asked to choose between Coun. Gauton (Labour) and Coun. Wilkinson (BNP).
Despite repeated public statements that the Lib-Dems would never work with the BNP, or support BNP representatives gaining senior positions on decision-making bodies, two Lib-Dem members of the council voted for the BNP candidate to become a board member of Padiham Life. The Lib-Dem members who voted for Coun. Wilkinson being Couns Jones and Sumner.
It was a relief that sufficient fair-minded council members were in attendance to defeat the BNP.
After recent election fraud events, you would have thought the Lib-Dems could not get any lower, but this support for the BNP by supposedly mainstream party representatives plumbs new depths. These actions speak louder than any of the hollow promises to the contrary made by Coun. Gordon Birtwistle, the council and Lib-Dem leader.
The least Coun. Birtwistle should do is apologise to the electorate who have been badly let down by these recent shameful events.
If he doesn't, then the Lib-Dems nationally should take control and get a grip of this crumbling administration.
I am not surprised this Lib-Dem administration is falling apart as I warned people months ago of the likelihood of this happening. I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly!
COUN. MARK TOWNSEND, Queen's Park Road, Burnley

Useful tips on managing your cash
BURNLEY CAB is urging people to start the New Year with good resolutions to manage their money.
Last year Citizens' Advice dealt with more than 1,400,000 new debt problems and people are paying a high price for being ill-informed and unconfident when it comes to crucial financial decisions.
That debt hangover from Christmas could turn into a nightmare if people ignore it. So here are a few tips from Burnley CAB:
If you are considering taking out a loan make sure you shop around and get the best deal.
Be wary of consolidating your debts, get advice and do not put your home unnecessarily at risk.
Plan to build up an emergency savings fund.
Shop around for the best savings rates and check regularly that it is still the best deal.
Check out tax efficient ways to save money like cash ISAs.
Be wary of low interest credit card transfers. Check the terms and conditions carefully.
You may be losing money by sticking with your existing bank, shop around, it is simple to change.
Do not automatically renew your car/holiday/house insurance without comparing prices.
Check that you are not missing out on money you should be getting in benefits or tax credits, tax rebates or allowances. The CAB can help check this for you.
Burnley Chief Executive Officer Rosemary Bowling said: "All too often we see people when they've already reached crisis point or can no longer cope with their problems. Yet, by carrying out a regular financial overhaul and taking some preventative measures, many problems could be averted before they become crises. Traditionally people make New Year's resolutions to change bad habits and we're just urging people to do the same with their finances".
For more information, call Burnley CAB on 01282 450535.
HELEN HEAP, Burnley Citizens' Advice

Schools should just stick to teaching
IN the letters' page of December 5th, was a contribution from a Mr Cowell, of Ightenhill, which contained laudable sentiments regarding the problems of multi-racial/multi-cultural society but no suggestion as to how these could be resolved.
I am, for instance, unclear as to whether or not Mr Cowell supports this government's attempts to force integration upon us. Does he subscribe to the super school venture of racial integration where hardly a week fails to pass without news of conflict?
Integration should be a voluntary course pursued by those so disposed to do so not a mandatory condition of education in this town.
Friendships forged in our school days can last a lifetime as can the bitterness established by conflict. What educational advantage can be gained in an environment of mutual fear, hatred and suspicion? Schools should be about education not acculturation but even when faced with the evidence of their failure the multi-cultural theorists continue to press ahead with their self-deception.
Claims that we are an integrated multicultural, multi-racial society are a sham. We have no more inclination to integrate with each other today than we ever did throughout history; this project should be abandoned now before racial entrenchment becomes irredeemable.
MR JOHN CAVE, Branch Secretary Burnley BNP

Parents to blame
IT was interesting to read the article "school parking clampdown" concerning congestion in Calderbrook Avenue highlighting worries from staff and parents about potential safety problems.
The residents' association, under the chairmanship of Phillip Horrock, has been concerned from many months and has been in contact with the police and council.
What is the problem? It is parents who abandon cars on the corner of Marton Drive, double parking, parking with two wheels on the road thus blocking the pavement and parking across driveways. "We will only be a couple of minutes," they say.
This occurs twice a day, morning and night. The long summer holiday in July and August was like heaven. Please have some thought for the residents.
MR TOM BRADSHAW, Marton Drive, Burnley

Comments were fair
REGARDING Tuesday's headline "Festive Slur". Comparing Burnley to Dubai is unfair, although the Sun newspaper has made a fair point.
The Christmas decorations on display this year are a bit of a let down in comparison with last year's display.
Manchester Road is the main thoroughfare into the town and there is not a decoration in sight. A bit of shine and sparkle would not have gone amiss. The people of Burnley will be aware of the fact that Burnley Council has a tight budget and difficult decisions are based on priority.
However, if neighbouring authorities can jiggle their finances in order to give their town centre a welcoming sight in the run up to Christmas, then so can Burnley. This would attract even more shoppers into the town thus generating wealth and keeping local people in employment.
Where have the decorations gone from the previous displays, can somebody shed some light on this matter?
MR JULIAN NUTTALL, Richmond Avenue, Cliviger

REGARDING the article on page 4, Express, December 8th, I see the search still goes on by Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council to try and find a site for a new highway and recycling centre. I find it hard to believe that work is about to start within the next few months on the new college site and nowhere has been found for a site for a recycling centre.
This is hardly forward planning is it? One would think the sites for both places would have been sorted before any building started.
I can see as a result of this haphazard planning that something is going to suffer at a future date. Instead of waiting a few more months and doing the job properly, it is all push, push, push. I hope the £70m. is going to be money well spent, but like anything else we will all have to wait and see.
MR B. WHITTAKER, Manchester Road, Burnley

WE thank the Sun newspaper for the publicity they have given to our town's Christmas lights display, as it has brought in a number of people from outside our town curious to see this poor display. On arrival they have found it not to be the case and have stayed on to have a very pleasant shopping experience.
So we thank the half-wit who wrote the piece and ask if they can do the same again next year.
MR CARL STREDDER, Editor "Lights switch-on 2006" video, Burnley Camcorder Group

I FEEL I must write to show my concern about safety at St Peter's Health Centre. Visiting my doctor last Wednesday, someone activated the fire alarm – this was not a test – and the building had to be evacuated.
My concern is that people from two locations met at the top of the stairs to get outside. These stairs are quite narrow and with elderly and not very active people the decent was very slow. If this had been a real fire the results could have been disastrous.
Should the doctors' surgeries be on the upper floors?
CONCERNED BURNLEY

MAY we through the Express give thanks to headmistress Mrs Brenda Hargreaves, her teachers and pupils from Barden Lane Nursery School, for the Nativity scene which they presented to us, in the Burnley and Pendle Faith Centre, at Burnley Sixth Form campus at Barden Lane.
It was nice to see so many children, white and Asians, mixing together so well and putting their hearts and souls into the scene. If we adults could take a leaf out of their book and work together as they did, we would find the Burnley and Pendle Faith Centre a great advantage to our area and to our community.
Thank you once again to the children on behalf of Barden Friendship Group.
R. WALKDEN (Chairman) and B. TYRRELL, (vice-chairman) Barden Friendship Group, Barden Lane, Burnley

THERE is concern about getting rid of plastic carrier bags as it takes a long time for them to decompose. Would it not be better to go back to the brown paper carrier bags. Surely this would help the environment?
MR T. DEWHURST, Burnley

RESPONDING to acts of vandalism in the Pike Hill area, Insp. Darcy of Burnley Police claimed that more anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in Burnley than anywhere else in Lancashire. If this is true, then the obvious conclusion is that these orders are a waste of time and effort. What is required is more police on the beat and appropriate punishments given to offenders. ASBOs are merely an illustration of the Government's policy, "soft on crime, tough on the victims of crime".
MR KEITH WISEMAN, Bury

ON a recent visit to pay money toward my television licence, I was shocked to read an advert on a poster stating "pay your television licence where you see this sign". It also read if you pay a sum of less than £10 a charge of 25p will be made. So, if you are a poor pensioner, who can generally only afford £2 or £3 a week, you could incur a charge of £13 extra a year. I find this a disgrace.
MR MICHAEL MOBEY, Britannia Walk, Burnley