20/05/05

I have never been to the museum before and, to be quite honest, was not over enthusiastic about going, but I attended and was so glad that I did.

The children were taken back to 1940 as a type of refugee. It was extremely informative, very entertaining and the way that the three characters drew the children into their everyday lives was lovely and even had them hanging on for more, through either song, photographs and even such a little thing as a few coins.

I think that very few people nowadays get the credit that they are entitled to and would like to say well done to everyone at the museum for such a well put together and relaxed atmosphere, even though there were two different schools there at one point.

Brilliant. Long may you continue. - Lesley Nockels, Darlington.

JUMPED UP

IT IS a sad fact, but the longer I live the more I realise that the world is full of jumped-up nobodies who think they're somebodies.

You know the type, all mouth and no substance. They get a promotion and are slightly above their work colleagues and you'd think they were a Wing Commander or Brigadier General.

It also happens in schools, usually with people of little ability academically or on the sports field where they pretend to themselves that they are the Big I Am.

What a shame that they can't accept themselves for what they are. Needless to say, such people are always a pain in the backside, and rub up everyone else the wrong way.

People with real talent and ability do not have to complain about their lot or brag ad nauseam. They are not smug, just content in knowing that the braggarts of this world fall woefully below their high standards. - Ken Jackson, Northallerton.

HOSPITAL PRAISE

I HAD a hip replacement operation in March in Bishop Auckland General Hospital. I was given a very detailed explanation of all the procedures by individual specialists, delivered in a very professional manner. This was followed up by a home visit then a pre-assessment to cheek individual health problems.

I was admitted at short notice as I was able to take up a cancellation.

I did mention to the staff that having the builders in - with their circular saws and the hammering - was not conducive to mental relaxation.

But without exaggeration, if it were not for the noises, I would not have known that someone was taking my leg apart and putting it back together. No pain whatsoever.

Apart from the effort made to ensure that disease/germs were not imported into the hospital, the staff were all immaculate and maintained a very high standard of cleanliness, even to the daily cleaning of the televisions and moving the beds out to thoroughly clean the area.

So unlike the TV coverage of other hospitals that showed what appeared to be squashed caterpillars being used to gather the dust around the beds, and waste bins at the wash basins overflowing all the time - not so here.

I wrote to John Saxby, the the Trust Chief Executive, because the whole process could only be described as outstanding.

I think that this is very important in view of the general reputation of hospitals throughout the country, with people being terrified to go in.

This is not about me. My name is not the issue. Bishop Auckland General Hospital staff in total deserve recognition for their efforts. - Keith Downs, Bishop Auckland.

PUNK TRIBUTES

DURING the last couple of years a number of punk/punk tribute bands have regularly gigged in the south west Durham area.

These include No Fun, Ramonas, Spitting Vicars, The Kicks and the Clashed. All of these groups play some cracking tunes, music with real attitude. The finest is Anarchy, Chaos and Stanley Ogden Punk.

I am writing this letter to try to encourage the youths into Green Day, Blink 182 and Offspring etc to go and listen to the music which inspired their heroes (as well as great gigs they can also have a laugh at us middle-aged rockers still acting 18). - J Moff, Chilton.

FOOTBALL REFEREES

I DO not agree with Darren Metcalfe's views on referees (HAS, May 18) . I played a lot of football in my younger days and I must admit that most of the referees, who conducted local games in particular, were useless.

I was sent off many times during my playing days, due to bad decisions made by an inept referee.

I also played at a decent standard of football, playing for Darlington schoolboys in 1988 and also representing Blackburn and Notts Forest.

It was only at this level that the standards of referees were decent. Most of the refs who conduct a game in and around Darlington on a weekend are awful.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask them to learn the rules of the game. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

BAD BEHAVIOUR

ONE of the biggest challenges for the Government must be to crack down on disruptive behaviour in the classroom and in our communities.

Recent TV programmes highlight the serious problem of some pre-school age children ruling the roost at home and parents needing to be taught how to be parents.

Other programmes feature the same sort of situation with older children. When youngsters are so out of control at home, what chance does a teacher stand with a room full of them?

If children are to learn at school and communities are to be free from anti-social behaviour urgent action is needed. - AE Moralee, Billingham.

MANY THANKS

MAY I thank those people who helped me win the new Catterick Bridge division in the county council elections.

Firstly, can I thank the Acting Returning Officer and his staff for all their efforts, not only in the efficient way they ran the count, but also the preparatory work prior to the event and of course the long hours we all shared on election day. Without their work and their integrity none of those who won would have a mandate for the next four years. Can I also thank my supporters for the miles they walked, all the doors they knocked on and the talk they talked.

To those parts of the Catterick Bridge division I have served for eight years, can I say it is business as usual. We have achieved a lot and I know that there's more to be done. - Carl Les, County Councillor, Leeming Bar.

HARD CHEESE

JUDY Bell, the North Yorkshire cheesemaker should not worry if the Europeans ban her from calling her cheese Feta (Echo, May 11).

All she needs to do is rename it Atef, very few people will notice the difference. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.