27/05/05

It's hoped that Mr and Mrs Howe and others now know that such an organisation as the British Legion exists.

I presumed the situation with Mr and Mrs Howe hadn't occurred through any armed service related problem (eg that it wasn't a rented army house they were evicted from) otherwise it would have been classed differently.

I'd also been pondering the possibility of a disaster fund to assist any UK people in times of storm and natural traumas, such as we've seen after floods and then the storms which afflicted Carlisle earlier this year.

While it's imagined that our Government would doubtless have such disaster management measures should - God forbid - adversity strike, such a nationwide charity may greatly be able to assist and lighten the load off resources and the NHS. - Bethany-Megan Robinson, Middleton-St George.

CHARLES BRONSON

WHY does it sadden me when we read of two contrasting articles (Echo, May 23)?

The front page carried a short column that terminal cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson had once again unselfishly completed another charity run.

But on Page 11 you reported about the Raper family, an unemployed couple from Darlington who, for some wonderful reason known only to themselves, had befriended Charles Bronson, one of the most violent criminals in Britain's jails today - and had thought it fit that their ten-year-old daughter should be taken to meet this man and exchange letters and birthday cards.

How that will influence that vulnerable girl, God only knows. When the world is full of good caring people who get on and do good for others, it makes you wonder.

The couple have even proudly displayed tattoos in this man's honour on their bodies.

If we have so-called parents teaching their kids by this example we are going to hell in a handcart. - D Sayers, Stockton.

EUROPEAN UNION

I HAVE been an opponent of the European Union since it was formed. However, despite my total opposition to the EU Constitution, I hope that the French people vote to support the constitution in their referendum on Sunday.

I also hope the Dutch do the same a few days later. A yes vote on the continent would actually be better for the cause of the UK's withdrawal from the all embracing and controlling EU.

If the French and Dutch vote no that will, I fear, let Tony Blair off the hook, since apparently the EU constitution will then be dead in the water. In that event there will not be a referendum on the EU Constitution in this country.

Subsequently, as is the way with all matters EU, the centralisation of Europe will continue, directed by the EU Council by means of future inter governmental conferences at which the people of Britain will have no voice.

Curiously, in order to oppose the advance of EU control in our country, it is necessary for the French to support it. Politics is a funny old world. - Peter Troy, Sedgefield.

AN article on the EU rebate (Echo, May 21) prompts me to ask how much do we pay per year in contribution, as opposed to the amount France, Germany and Italy pay?

Just because we have relative prosperity in the UK (although it doesn't particularly feel prosperous in the North-East), does not imply that we should suddenly shell out extra contributions to the EU. - FM Atkinson, Shincliffe.

FIRST-TIME BUYERS

The Government scheme assisting first-time buyers has been generated by the plight of young people being unable to afford to get on the housing ladder in their own home towns and villages.

The scheme should therefore be restricted to British born nationals for at least the first ten years to ensure the deserving do qualify and receive the aid they should have. - WT Taylor, Middlesbrough.

WHY ARE WE WAITING?

I AM quite used to waiting for a bus as I live on Mowden in Darlington and the Nos 30 and 31 are never on time.

However, I feel I can truly add bus waiting to my list of hobbies. I left home to catch the 9.15am X14/X4 to Saltburn (via Middlesbrough). By 9.30am we realised that this bus was not coming. Another passenger had just completed a nightshift at a local hospital.

At around 9.50am we were joined by another lady who had also just ended a night shift at a hospital. She was awaiting the 10.10am X14/X4.

Another gentleman decided to call an emergency number. He was told the earlier bus had broken down and no-one knew what had happened to the 10.10am. bus.

By 10.45am the three of them decided to cross the road and await the next X99/98 to Redcar, adding extra hours to their already frustrating day. I headed for the Barnard Castle 76 - only six minutes late.

I tried to ring the local depot at Feethams but no-one would answer the phone. Why is there no system in place to inform waiting passengers of hold-ups etc?

Lots of drivers were passing us in the queue going to various stops. Why were they not asked to either pin a notice up or speak to the waiting passengers advising them what was happening?

If Mr Prescott wants us all on public transport why isn't some co-ordination shown?

People understandably will not give up their cars. With the onset of "free bus travel" next year, are we going to see ambulances at bus stops picking up pensioners suffering from hypothermia? - Maureen Stephenson, Darlington.

MOCK ELECTIONS

I SUPPOSE I should not have been surprised at the article on the inclusion of a BNP candidate in Yarm School's recent mock election (Echo, May 23).

It seems to me that no political view can be defined by one word, but the establishment constantly tells us that racism is the entire policy of the BNP.

That local MP Dari Taylor should criticise the school's mock election on the grounds of democracy is strange.

A key element of democracy is freedom of speech and the right to make up one's mind over political stances - or is it only former socialist parties who should decide, in the same way that Bishop Auckland Labour supporters were told they had to vote for a female candidate. - Brian Waller, Eaglescliffe.

STRANGE LAW

WHY is there one law for policemen and another law for everyone else?

I read about a policeman (Echo, May 19) who got taken to court for testing out his vehicle doing 159mph. The judge said the case should never have been taken to court. Why? Because he was a policeman?

The police are employed to make sure no one breaks the law, so what the police are really saying is, "do as I say, not as I do".

Anyone other than a policeman would have lost their licence and had a hefty fine for this. - Margaret A Greenhalgh, Darlington.