15/06/04

For example, in 1936 the House of Commons ruled that any Briton within the United Kingdom can show their loyalty by displaying any national, state or government flag pertaining to the United Kingdom.

Equally, as I understand it, the expression of an individual's cultural and national identity is a right enshrined within both the European and United Nations Human Rights Conventions.

A major football event has caused people to fly the English flag and, once again, there exists the possibility of it being banned by certain councils.

Is it not, therefore, time that the legal position of both the English and the Union flag was made clear so that the public can know exactly where they stand?

Because, as I understand it, banning people from flying their national flag in their own country is not only racist and possibly illegal, but a violation of both the European and United Nations human rights conventions. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

MEMORIAL DINNER

I WOULD like to express my appreciation for the support given at the Angela O'Hara Memorial Dinner on April 18. It was a truly memorable evening, including a rare and revealing interview with Alan Shearer and some excellent entertainment.

The atmosphere was electric as over 700 guests paid tribute to my sister, a very special lady, who died tragically last year from cancer.

The evening generated in excess of £68,000 - by far the most successful fundraising event for Hartlepool and District Hospice. The hospice was fantastic to Angela at a very distressing time and the money raised will ensure that other people are given the support that we received.

The money raised will be used to make a significant difference to individuals facing the most difficult times of their lives.

The majority of the money will be used to build and establish garden areas all around the new buildings based at Wells Avenue. These will be named the Angela O'Hara Gardens and will include a secluded Garden of Remembrance. It is hoped that the gardens will allow patients, relatives and friends to spent time reflecting and drawing strength.

A 24-hour helpline will also be maintained for at least another two years to provide specialist advice and support to patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

A further £10,000 will be donated to the on-going costs of the hospice, which provides care and specialist support, costing in excess of £1.8m per year.

Thank you again for your support. I hope you enjoyed the event and will go on supporting us. We will, of course, keep you fully informed of future events and developments at the hospice. If you are able to support us in any other way we would be delighted to hear from you.

Thank you for being part of this memorable occasion and for helping us to make a difference to the lives of so many people. - Paul "Goffy" Gough.

RAILWAY STATION

I WRITE about the disgusting state of the waiting area of Northallerton Station and the fact that the waiting rooms are invariably locked by 3pm each day.

Recently, I had occasion to use the station. At 3.20pm the waiting rooms were locked. At this time quite heavy rain was falling and there was no shelter whatsoever. A young mother with a child in a pushchair was obliged to wait in the pouring rain on the southbound platform.

The northbound waiting area, which admittedly does have some shelter from the elements, was in an extremely untidy state. The waiting room was locked but, on show inside, was a large amount of litter that included empty beer cans and a condom.

This is a sad state of affairs presented to the general travelling public in a well-used station. What impression a passing visitor to the area must get can only be guessed, but I am sure that it will include the desire to get away from it as quickly as possible. - M Brogan, Northallerton.

TOWN CENTRE

I SEE that Bishop Auckland is to be blessed with two more public houses in the town centre. These developments, together with the new gaming shop in Newgate Street, appear to be the limit of Wear Valley District Council's efforts to regenerate what was once a vibrant, dynamic market town.

Quality shops are what is required, not tinkering at the edges.

I'm also sure that the police force in the area will be looking forward to keeping the peace at weekends with these extra drinking "holes" for the area's youngsters.

For heavens sake, the councillors on WVDC should get their act together and think of the whole community and not just the weekend binge drinkers. - Mrs A Parkin, Bishop Auckland.

D-DAY

DOES Harry Mead deliberately try to be offensive by being out of step with everyone else?

Like this spring, when we were all enjoying the golden daffodils, he said they looked like yellow vomit.

Now (Echo, June 9) he decries the commemoration of D-Day, asking why after all these years we still bother. We bother because this may be the last such opportunity we have to honour and thank many of the heroes of 1944. As for it happening a long time ago, the freedom we enjoy now is entirely due to their and their dead comrades' sacrifices, so we have as much reason to feel grateful now as we have ever had.

Harry Mead should understand that the cult of the outrageous - of being offensive just for the sake of it - is not part of responsible journalism. If he can't say anything constructive or relevant he should keep quiet. - T Kelly, Crook.

POLITICS

IF anyone is in any doubt about the true nature of politics, witness the totally cynical events of the past week or so.

President Bush uses the departed President Reagan to boost his own election campaign and America in general, badly in need of a hero real or imagined, and eulogises President Reagan into something he never was.

The latest UN resolution on the future of Iraq is hailed as a triumph. We bomb the country to smithereens, killing thousands of innocent people in the process.

We cause grief to many families of our own dead and this is what we call a triumph.

Just how cynical can politicians get? - Hugh Pender, Darlington.