HOW often do public meetings start and finish on time - particularly the finish?

Skelton Community Forum, an umbrella organisation of 21 local groups in East Cleveland, which only started in January, scored a commendable 10 marks out of 10 for its meeting on the proposed North-East Regional Assembly on Tuesday.

Des Mowbray, forum chair, opened the meeting prompt at 6pm and ended it at 8pm, as scheduled, with a 20 minute tea/coffee break (30p each as the forum "needed funds").

The only cross words came from David Walsh, Labour politician in red striped shirt with red tie loosened at the neck. He told Michael King, chairman of the local Tory party, to "just let me finish" answering his question.

Mark Brooks, suave Londoner dressed neatly in a dark blue suit, blue shirt and blue tie, introduced himself as the new Conservative candidate for the parliamentary seat - and promised to be "as apolitical as possible."

Both speakers scored political points, of course, but not too many. At the end of the meeting one of the 20-odd audience sought a vote. But only two voted Yes and three No.

Perhaps that's an indicator of how the North-East currently feels about the flood of information coming through letterboxes about the proposed assembly.

The assembly debate organised by the BBC and aired on Sunday was less well organised. The debate was certainly more acrimonious but contributors from the floor were not encouraged to identify themselves, which rather devalued their comments.

Awaiting prosecution

TIME was when there were grumbles in this column about the extended speed limits at the Northallerton end of the villages of Sandhutton and South Otterington.

No more. Spectator has discovered their purpose. When a vehicle is clinging to your bumper on that pleasant, winding road on which 60mph is sufficient for most of us, the village limits are to be welcomed.

While the dull and law-abiding contain their patience, the bumper-clingers can overtake before the limit sign is reached and roar off into the distance, making them and you much happier.

It was a surprise on Monday to find the same manoeuvre undertaken within the more confined Thirsk exit at Baldersby, but one lives and learns. Skipton on Swale has spoiled the game with traffic calming islands, and Spectator awaits developments with interest. Meanwhile, any police officer short of prosecutions could fill a notebook with ease.