Appreciation of Nelson Mandela should be ‘universal’

I note with concern Mr Pendle’s apparent endorsement of two Nelson town councillors being allowed to remove an item from the town council agenda in an anonymous way.

By The Newsroom

Published 16th Jan 2014, 13:03 BST

South Africa President Jacob Zuma speaks during the funeral service for former South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu, South Africa. (AP Photo/Odd Andersen, Pool)

The item was a minute’s silence to contemplate the life of the late Nelson Mandela and Mr Pendle asks us for our opinions on the matter.

Although Nelson Mandela has no direct connection with his namesake – Nelson, Lancashire – I would say that appreciation of his life should be universal.

Such sentiments about Mr Mandela appear to be shared by columnist Geoff Crambie.

A minute’s silent reflection on his life at the time of his death would be highly appropriate for any public body and I am dismayed the minute’s silence was removed from the Nelson Town Council agenda without consulting all the councillors.

David Foat

Varley Street, Colne