Until now I have resisted giving any opinion on the Dream sculpture, which has been planned over the last few years.
I have passed it several times from all sides and there is a problem.
It is not a sculpture for all round vision, unlike the two mining statues on two roundabouts, which at least depicts St Helens' mining and industrial heritage.
In fact, from Jubits Lane, Sutton Manor, you can only see one ear. It is also not tall enough and may soon, in the near future, be obscured by tress as they mature.
I heard comments on the bus that it just looks like a concrete tower or another chimney and not a material associated with St Helens.
Why on earth did they not commission Antony Gormley, who has had a long association with St Helens and he supported the mining monument on the Landings traffic island by donating and also buying a painting.
And to his credit his Angel of the North is iconic, likening it to Sugar Loaf Mountain statue in Brazil.
The public of St Helens were not involved and it was left to a group of people who appear to have no knowledge of art, history or perspective.
Time alone will tell but the old St Helens motto 'Ex Terra Lucem' (Out of the Earth, Light) is certainly not reflected in this sculpture.
Surely this is another missed opportunity to make our mark.
Name and address supplied.

I would like to praise the efforts of the locals trying to save the Wagon and Horses but what about the pub's bowling green.
At a time when the government are constantly telling us about our health and fitness, why can't they offer tax breaks to companies to encourage them to open up their greens.
The council could play its part by refusing planning permission for any use but leisure.
People need places to live but they also need places to play - you need to strike a balance.
When 35 pubs a week are closing it is not a good time for pubs but once they are gone they are gone for good and that will be a great loss to the community.
Alan Sneyd,
Vicarage Drive,
Haydock.


Regarding the letter printed in the Reporter (Neighbourhood Views, April 8) the Copper Kettle trophy was played for between St Helens YMCA and Paisley YMCA football teams.
It was started in around 1950s by Bill Leyland who was general secretary of St Helens YMCA until 1967. It was played for annually, one year at home and one year away.
I seem to recall the trophy was purchased for 3/6d from Prescot's hardware.
Name and address supplied.


It's a crying shame to see our wonderful Newton College being taken away from us without even a second thought.
Newton Campus situated on Crow Lane has been open for many years and the front of the building is the original part dating back many years.
The college was a very successful college and ran many courses. The main success of the college was the nursery nursing courses.
This brought in lots of students from various areas and the college and was recognized for its very high intake of students wanting to attend the college for this reason.
Some years ago the department and staff were moved to St Helen College leaving Newton campus trying to fill a big gap in their student intake.
Over the years less and less courses have been run and the college has become deserted because of this.
From the view of locals it is a disgrace to be left out like this and to take away a college that, once has gone can never be put back.
Because of St Helens' over ambitious plans a town will lose another valuable piece of its history. And the money that St Helens College receives should be distributed equally instead of being greedily kept to itself.
Johnny Dee,
Newton-le-Willows.


Like many of my peers who were born and brought up and still live in Newton I am constantly wondering: What has happened to our once proud and homely little town.
Although not all the problems can be laid at the door of St Helens Council, there is little doubt that we were better served by our own Newton Unitary District Council, which was subsumed back in 1974, since when the town has been in a permanent downward spiral.
The main shopping areas are a by-word for dereliction and run-down properties, with the street swirling with litter, especially on Friday nights.
We are now drowning in charity shops and takeaways that seem to put unwanted menus through out letter boxes on a weekly basis. If you want a second-hand coat, a takeaway menu or a manicure - Earlestown's the place for you.
For some inexplicable reason, the town has become a hotbed for the construction of luxury apartments. Although many of the apartments on the old grammar school site are either vacant or for sale.
The council is now looking to grant permission for the Newton Technical College to be converted into (guess what) more, unwanted, luxury apartments with still more on the land to the rear. How soon before the library goes the same way?
So, the councillors who push pamphlets through out letter boxes every May, hoping for us to elect them, sit back while we lose our civic hall, our industries, our technical college and very likely our iconic town hall.
But can we get them to do anything to remove the old Curzon cinema? Answers on a postcard, please.
Name and address supplied.