24/06/04

The aircraft , serial number LK517, was on a cross country training flight from its base at RAF Wigsley, near Lincoln, when it broke up in cloud due to structural failure of the airframe.

The Stirling was the first of the RAF's heavy bombers but the less well known, behind its contemporaries the Lancaster and Halifax.

A seat on the boundary of Shildon Cricket Club, in Hackworth Road, has a plaque dedicated to the crew and carries the AE Housman verse "Here dead we lie".

It was placed there by local man Keith Robson, who campaigned for local recognition of the crew and for all members of Bomber Command. - David Thompson, Cleveland and District Branch, Aircrew Association.

POLITICS THE issues of the future of Billingham Forum and regional assemblies are coming to the fore.

Both are linked to the erosion of democracy by non-listening local and national politicians.

How many times must the people of Teesside and further afield say to our elected councillors: "Listen to the majority who want to save the Forum, "?

As for the regional assembly, we already have over 600 MPs looking after our interests. We do not want another layer of politicians.

Democracy is being eroded in both local and national government by a non-listening group of politicians, who have their own agenda or empirebuilding programme, regardless of people's wishes. - R Harbron, Norton.

I WOULD like to comment on two recent articles - both involving Durham County Council.

A common theme running through them is that Durham County Council is not prepared to listen to the views of other people or organisations.

Few, other than the county council, speak in favour of the stainless steel sign. Even the Arts Council has said it is not an example of community art.

And Councillor Ken Manton continues to apportion blame for the situation on Old Beacon Lane to Sedgefield Town and Borough councils. In fact, they have been exemplary in trying to find a permanent solution.

Councillor Manton's condescending remarks about residents' attempts to be heard is typical of his dismissive approach and he has chosen to ignore one of the main issues - the county council's proposals to introduce "Zones of Acceptance" and "Temporary Sites" for travellers/gypsies in County Durham, even though it is the 12th largest provider of sites in England and provides 38 per cent ofthe pitches in North-East England.

He has suggested that everyone should work together to find a mutually acceptable solution. How can this happen when he will not listen to the views of others? - Mike Gibson, Defend Our Village Environment (Sedgefield).

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT JOHN Tate, financial director of Bowey Homes, is correct in stating that the Planning Policy Guideline 3 (PPG3) is nationally imposed and that it is currently geared towards the very different requirements of the South-East.

He is also correct in saying that decisions made by the regional assembly would be identified and actioned much quicker than if Whitehall were to become involved.

The North-East is completely different to the South-East, requiring its own unique solutions. A regional assembly would help to provide this. - S.White, Bishop Auckland.

SOLVENT MISUSE WITH reference to an article (Echo, May 24), your readers may be interested to note that ReSolv, the Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA), operates a Freephone National Helpline: 0808 800 2345.

The line is available MondayFriday, 9am-5pm, (excluding public holidays) and offers information and support regarding solvent and volatile substance abuse issues. The helpline can also be contacted by e-mail at helpline@re-solv. org.

The majority of deaths from this dangerous activity are young people aged between 13 and 19 years. The overall number of VSA deaths in 2001 was 63, which means that solvent abuse is responsible for more deaths than the illegal drug Ecstasy, which highlights the importance of the line.

Due to our experience in this field, we receive a lot of referrals from other organisations, including the National Drugs Helpline. - Kathy Williams, Helpline Officer, Re-Solv.

FOOTBALL MANAGERS complain that footballers play too many matches. What an excuse.

Some of them are lucky to be involved for half an hour in each game. They are pampered and should be fit to play in every match if not injured, having no other commitment than playing football.

They are well compensated to keep fit and give 100 per cent for the club and fans. - N Tate, Darlington.

LAW AND ORDER WE old people, who write letters to your newspaper, can put the world to rights.

We could play football, cricket, tennis, rugby much better than any players today. We would pick a local and national team second to none.

And when it comes to politics, we are the best MPs without a doubt.

But within my circle there are still one or two things that divide us.

Years ago, the train robbers all got sentenced to jail for stealing money. But today something seems to have changed.

When someone is killed by a team of drunken louts in a car, everybody gets off because no one will say who was at the wheel. Why the change? - Peter Brown, Trimdon Village.

HEALTH SERVICE MAY I comment on something very different to the crime and greed we have become accustomed to?

Last autumn, a patient was admitted to Ward Four in Bishop Auckland Hospital. The patient was in a deep coma and his chances of survival were practically nil.

Nevertheless, he received excellent care and attention and after several weeks recovered consciousness. Recovery was painfully slow, but his nursing remained first-class and eventually he was moved to a rehabilitation unit in Newcastle.

When he left Ward Four the place was awash with tears, but the staff have kept in touch and on at least four occasions have hired a minibus to visit him.

Does the expression "beyond the call of duty" come to mind?

When I think of some of our so-called celebrities, who receive high honours because of their ability to attract attention and amass huge fortunes, then compare them to these people, I wonder if the world has gone mad because we appear to be losing all sense of value. - Name and address supplied.