Have you ever written to the papers?

[garinda]

I've only ever written to the papers twice. Once in 1981, correcting something the then leader of the local National Front had written, and secondly earlier this year to defend Accy Web's reputation, stating that in my opinion it isn't a hot bed of radical socialism. Both times it was to the Accrington Observer.

I love reading the letter pages, even the ones that are plain daft. What suprises me is that very often you see the same names appearing all the time. Over the thirty odd years I've read the Observer I could list at least ten names and addresses that have sunk into my psyche through seeing them so often.

What suprises me is that the regular letter writers don't post on here on Accy Web. You'd think they'd love a captive audience to read their musings. Why isn't human excrement lady posting, or the poetic pensioner, or the rabid Socialist of Great Britain member, or the extreme right-winger whose address is an old people's home in Ossy?

This isn't a dig at Jaysay. He has written a fair few letters over the years, but he's also happily back posting on here, so he's forgiven.

Perhaps we should have a meal for two with a complimentary bottle of wine, awarded to the best thread of the week to encourage them to post.

Has anyone else felt compelled to write to the paper, or do you know one of the regulars on the Observer's letter page?

[Wynonie Harris]

I wrote a whole series of letters to the Observer in the late 70s/early 80s extolling the benefits of changing the borough's name from Hyndburn to Accrington. Two names who I remember doing battle with are Winnie Hogan and Eric Roberts.

Plus ca change.

[garinda]

I remembered last night that the second letter I wrote was actually about the accessibility of our M.P.

The third would have been about the defence of Accy Web, until I decided I didn't want to enter into a long term correspodence, so didn't bother.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

I wrote a whole series of letters to the Observer in the late 70s/early 80s extolling the benefits of changing the borough's name from Hyndburn to Accrington. Two names who I remember doing battle with are Winnie Hogan and Eric Roberts.

Plus ca change.

Now sadly both no longer with us. As both Miss Hogan and Mr Roberts were leading lights in the Oswaldtwistle Civic Society, I take it they were in favour of the name Hyndburn?

Did you write under your own name Wynonie, as because I know your name, I'm having a flash back that I remember seeing it in the Observer, regarding this issue.

Nice to see you are a man of principle, and have stuck my your guns all these years, even if you are wrong.

[Wynonie Harris]

Yes, I wrote under my own name. Sad to hear about Winnie Hogan and Eric Roberts and yes, they were pro-H******n. Both sadly misguided, I fear!

[garinda]

Blimey the things you learn on here.

Just had an intersting pm, regarding the first person who inspired me to write to the Observer, he now runs a bookshop in the borough. Well that's one shop I'll no longer be patronising.

Incidentally, the letter I wrote resulted in two death threats to the sixteen year old Rindy, anonymous, of course.

[Margaret Pilkington]

Yes, I have written to the papers, local and national.
I can't now remember what the letters were about....once the bee has gone out of my bonnet I tend to forget it.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by garinda

Blimey the things you learn on here.

Just had an intersting pm, regarding the first person who inspired me to write to the Observer, he now runs a bookshop in the borough. Well that's one shop I'll no longer be patronising.

Incidentally, the letter I wrote resulted in two death threats to the sixteen year old Rindy, anonymous, of course.

Unfortunately Rindi this is what happens when you have an oppinion that other people disagree with, but who can't get the better of you with just words, me I just call them knuckle draggers. I used to write to both local newspapers on a regular basis, but I write very little these days as I have stepped down from any form of political activity, I feel there are far more imortant things in life for me now, mainly my health or should I say the lack of it, as I told you in a PM yesterday. This is now more relevant now I'm back on here and able to join in and not just read what is being said. But I honstly think that the world would be a really dull place without debate, as its often been said that debate is what makes the world go round,so who am I to argue

[garinda]

Originally Posted by jaysay

Unfortunately Rindi this is what happens when you have an oppinion that other people disagree with, but who can't get the better of you with just words, me I just call them knuckle draggers. I used to write to both local newspapers on a regular basis, but I write very little these days as I have stepped down from any form of political activity, I feel there are far more imortant things in life for me now, mainly my health or should I say the lack of it, as I told you in a PM yesterday. This is now more relevant now I'm back on here and able to join in and not just read what is being said. But I honstly think that the world would be a really dull place without debate, as its often been said that debate is what makes the world go round,so who am I to argue

That's so true. We've had our differences of opinion, mainly over political matters, but there was always a mutual respect for each other's point of view, and like you say, when it comes down to it, silly arguments pale into insignificance when other things come into play, such as good health.

By the way, I'm not suggesting the death threats I received are in anyway connected with the then former leader of the local National Front, more likely to be from the idiots who supported him. For one thing they were appallingly written, and they were made up of letters cut out of a newspaper, which made them look like the sleeve notes from a punk rock record.

[WillowTheWhisp]

I have written to the papers, national and local but I can't remember what about - must have been important to me at the time.

[cashman]

as one who has very little faith in the Tripehounds, i have never bothered writing to em, on the basis that i would (1) be a hyopcrite, or (2) a lazy get,take yer pick.

[jaysay]

Originally Posted by cashman

as one who has very little faith in the Tripehounds, i have never bothered writing to em, on the basis that i would (1) be a hyopcrite, or (2) a lazy get,take yer pick.

Out of reverence for your good self cashy I think i'll take the second option

[lindsay ormerod]

I have a couple of times; the only one I really recall is when some uppity swine decided that all single mothers were cider swilling, giro cashing,unemployable morons. Strangely I took offence to it and with the new mother hormones still raging I wrote to the Obby ! My letter was duly printed and the red mists have since abated to the extent that I now hold the opinion that MOST single mothers in Accrington are indeed giro cashing alcoholics who wear tracksuits permanently and feed their offspring on a diet of Greggs pasties. ( Note the use of most; some of us work and don't possess tracksuits !)

[emzy]

Originally Posted by lindsay ormerod

I have a couple of times; the only one I really recall is when some uppity swine decided that all single mothers were cider swilling, giro cashing,unemployable morons. Strangely I took offence to it and with the new mother hormones still raging I wrote to the Obby ! My letter was duly printed and the red mists have since abated to the extent that I now hold the opinion that MOST single mothers in Accrington are indeed giro cashing alcoholics who wear tracksuits permanently and feed their offspring on a diet of Greggs pasties. ( Note the use of most; some of us work and don't possess tracksuits !)

I am also a single mother and hold my hand up to not working at the moment (that will change in time but to be honest I want to raise my twins not have some nursery do this which is why I have not yet returned to work) but I do agree with what you say but to be honest I dont know how they all manage to afford it. I cant afford to go out, its very rare that i go out, all my money goes on the twins. So I do agree with you and didnt take offence but would like it noted that I am also a single mum that doesnt fall into that catagory lol

[Lilly]

I've never written to a newspaper. I've thought of it a time or two but I've never actually gone and done it.

Re the regular names.....whose fault is it that we have to listen to the inane ramblings of certain individuals week after week?

Is it the individuals for writing all those letters/poems or is it the editor's fault for keeping on printing them?

I blame the editor. If the regulars didn't keep getting their ramblings printed they would soon stop writing so many letters.