Readers' letters - December 6

I agree with your correspondent Mile Lacey, regarding banks (WP December 5).

I went to a local NatWest branch a couple of years ago.

While there, at the counter, I was told that, next time, I could use internet banking.

I thought, I could, but if all your customers decided to do that, would you lose your job?

An ideal world would have the choice of mobile, internet and face-to-face banking in branches. Of course, there will be those individuals who say, it’s progress.

Times change.

But I feel for those who lose their jobs and, for those of us, in particular the elderly, who aren’t able to or don’t have access to the internet.

And if they don’t trust the internet (haven’t we all heard of hacking scandals?) why shouldn’t they have the choice of going face-to-face?

Ah, but we live in a selfish ultra-capitalist society and with our anti-NHS, anti-social housing, anti-poor and anti-environment Government in charge, not giving people consideration is all par for the course.

Jane

via email

Ode to old Lancashire

Although I live in Cornwall, I am a native Lancastrian, born and bred in the Wigan district. Might I please submit this poem which is on the subject of the amalgamation of the Southern Lake District as one county?

I know this was many years ago but the subject will still resonate with many and perhaps bring it to the attention of generations who might be unaware.

Three Shires

When Lancashire was home to me

I loved the majesty of three,

I swore my heart for all my time,

devotion that shows no decline.

In southern times of restless nights

my dreams are of those mountain heights

as in the dark reruns past time

when I lived in that land of mine.

Again on slopes with joy I go

through juniper and purple sloe,

my spirit soaring with delight

whether in mist or bright sunlight.

And though those three are named as one

with Westmorland forever gone

in Cumbria my heart will be

in that fine County, once the three.

Rick Howarth

Former Wigan

resident

Carry on EU – an unfunny farce

When it was time for the EU referendum, I could see both sides of the argument.

Yes, there were definitely issues with the EU – too large, too inefficient, too bureaucratic, too expensive...

But what was the alternative? Where was the plan? So I voted remain, purely for the reason of ‘the better the devil you know’.

And increasingly, I feel that, whatever the faults of the union, to remain (at least for now) would have been the right option.

Every time I hear about the never-ending negotiations with the EU, it’s like an increasingly unfunny farce.

And now the outdated DUP are getting involved, thinking of their own dogma rather than what is best for Northern Ireland as a whole.

Do we really get the politicians we deserve?

Molly Clare

via email