IN response to The Gazette's campaign for the BBC to bring Strictly Come Dancing back to Blackpool, it's been great to note the affection many people hold for the fantastic Tower Ballroom.
As someone who attends the ballroom more than once a week, summer and winter for dancing, I would like to thank staff from a customer's point of view for their hard work.
Under the leadership of
ballroom manageress Lenny Mackay, the staff couldn't be more polite and helpful.The same goes for those who work on the floor and clearing tables. On busy days they really pull out all the stops to serve as quickly, and pleasantly as possible. The staff at the front and rear entrances to the Tower building have also been exceptionally polite, and greet customers in a very professional and friendly manner.
Also, thanks to Phil Kelsall and the team of resident organists, David Lobban, Mark Allen, Chris Hopkins and John Bowdler for providing unrelenting music for dancing on either the Mighty Wurlitzer or Wersi organs.
Also the Empress Dance Orchestra, under the leadership of Ashley Phrolick, with
vocalist Lisa Harman, who have entertained every Wednesday and Saturday evening throughout the summer months.
All of this combined makes the Tower
Ballroom a place to feel privileged to visit, and even more so, to have here in our own town. It's unique.
I hope just some of the people who have backed the Strictly campaign will pay a visit, if not to dance, then for a drink or afternoon tea in this stunning setting.
And yes, it is open throughout the winter, so there should be no excuse!
Dave Hughes
Napier Avenue
South Shore


Please clean up the dog mess
I would like to make a plea that the problem with dog mess in Cleveleys is sorted out once and for all.
Firstly, let me say we are privileged to share our home with two wonderful
rescue dogs, who we consider to be
valued members of our family. As
responsible pet owners, we clear up after our dogs, and to be honest, it
generally isn't a hard task.
That said, I walked our dogs today and the dog mess along Beach Road and the Promenade was disgusting.
So, my first appeal is to the minority of owners who don't clean up. Buy some bags and use them. If you want a dog take responsibility for it.
My second plea is to Wyre Council. I notice Wyre's latest full council agenda refers to the BBC expressing interest in making a documentary about Wyre's "successful" covert operation to tackle dog fouling.
I'm guessing they won't be sending the TV crews to Cleveleys?
Where are the dog wardens and can we see some high profile prosecutions in the press please?
Penny Martin
Ryden Avenue, Cleveleys


Night was a ball
Thanks to the organisers and entertainers at the Halloween Ball in the Spanish Hall, Winter Gardens.
The performers were all top class and the thought and vision that went into this event can only be applauded. It was a shame Carnesky's Ghost Train was not
operating on the night but that was more than made up for by being given a sneak preview by Marisa Carnesky herself.
I have attended most of the Admission All
Classes events and have found them to be all of the same high standard. It's a real shame that this was the last of the events. I'm looking forward to more Showzam events next year!
M.Booth
Willows Avenue
Cleveleys


Police policy is spot on
Retired policeman IWJ, (The Gazette, October 27) is allowing his prejudices to show.
He must know that the law has never been fully enforced and never could be.
The police have always had to set priorities, and these vary from time to time in the light of the prevalence of offences which are indisputably serious and according to changing public
attitudes.
His desire to see a return to the days when police officers spent long hours hidden behind
spy-holes in the broom cupboards and ceilings spaces of public toilets is not widely shared by anybody.
The leaked draft police
recommendation which he finds so objectionable is in fact a very sensible view of modern
policing priorities and I hope it is fully endorsed when it comes to be considered by the
Association of Chief Police
Officers.
Allan Horsfall
Bolton


Nation signed away in treaty
Although I live in Oxford, I read the Gazette through my aunt who lives in St Annes.
We must remember at this time of year that hundreds of thousands of people died in two world wars to defend the
sovereignty of this nation.
Last December however, the Prime Minister and Foreign
Secretary signed up to the
Lisbon Treaty relinquising said
sovereignty to an organisation whose auditors have now
refused to "sign off the books" for the past 14 years!
I speak of course of the
European Union
Does this loss of sovereignty not mean that past and future
Remembrance Sundays are completely insignificant and
meaningless?
John Maden
Oxford

Titles mean nothing at all
I am bewildered by the
proliferation of obscure titles given to projects in Blackpool.
I would like to know what
exactly ReBlackpool is.
I read that Blackpool's
Partnership" has launched its "Sustainable Communities Strategy". We have something called "Area Action Plan" that is continuing to deliver
"Reassurance Plus" in our
"Priority Neighbourhoods".
Who dreams up these
meaningless titles?
Name and Address Supplied