06/05/04

However, as for his question as to whether the British are a war-seeking nation because of our history, I would say no.

When one looks closely at history one finds that ultimately all conflicts are due to the greed, ambition, hatred and lies of those in power, and it is the consequences of their actions which forces the peace-loving people of one nation to kill the peace-loving people of another.

Equally, Mr Pender is right to raise concern over the effects of such movies and dramas, because the way in which we see our past determines our future.

War films echo mankind's past but the popular vision for humanity's possible future is seen in science fiction movies and TV series such as Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, etc. These depict a future full of war, greed, oppression, suffering, little morality and compassion. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

Darlington FC

I AM saddened at the treatment of George Reynolds by various factions in the Darlington area.

There is a section of supporters who, for some reason, think they ought to run the club. They would get short shrift if they tried it elsewhere.

The Northern Echo has seized many opportunities to publish adverse publicity.

And the council imposed restrictions which were ridiculous and unnecessary and which made it impossible for a commercial enterprise to be viable.

I do not know George, but on the many occasions when I have been in "touching" distance, he generated an atmosphere which gave a purpose to the club and the feeling you were part of it.

This feeling is no longer there, instead we are left with nothing. George had his faults but he was also kind and a real character. The world is a poorer place without such people.

The only weapon I have at my disposal is my season ticket, which I have thrown away. I will never support Darlington FC again. - E Lee, Bishop Auckland.

DUNCAN Bannatyne says he would "rather have a sex change" than invest in Darlington Football Club and is not sure the town needs its 120-year-old club anyway (Business Echo, Apr 27).

Fair enough if he doesn't wish to get involved, but his comments come across as, at best, insensitive and, at worst, as a complete affront to the many people trying to save the club.

If this is his disdainful attitude to the town, the club and its supporters, I would suggest these people should not patronise his gym.

I already know of some who have taken this stance and you could hardly blame people for not wanting to put money into the pocket of someone so dismissive of County Durham's only Football League club. - Robert Gauden, Darlington.

MOTOR CYCLISTS

I WRITE to express my disgust at the way North Yorkshire bikers are been made out to be mindless criminals.

The Northern Echo readers seem to be getting a very one-sided story lately.

One such example is North Yorkshire Police announcing that, for 2004, they were dropping their education scheme to be replaced with zero tolerance.

The fact is this was first announced in 2003 and the result was more fatal bike accidents than ever before.

Durham and Northumbria Police have excellent education schemes and I hope North Yorkshire Police go back to education sooner rather than later.

It has been reported that bikes have been doing 180mph in Yorkshire, yet at the Isle of Man TT the best riders in the world can only average 125mph and hardly go over 170mph using bikes costing a quarter of a million pounds.

At the end of the day, bikers will always have accidents but then so will cars, HGVs, cyclists etc. It's a sad part of life.

I hope bikers will continue to ride in our region and not be put off by the unfair comments made about them lately. - Richard Dobson, Bishop Auckland.

BENEFITS

PETER Dolan's letter concerning Christine Smith's reference to state benefits and their availability is not entirely accurate ( HAS, Apr 26).

State benefits are subject to scrutiny and rightly so, as the alternative is to have a system that is open to abuse from those willing to commit benefit fraud. The scrutiny he refers to, however, simply relates to the requirement that proof of income, saving and status can be verified. What can be considered objectionable about that?

The benefits system that Mr Dolan decries has expanded through the introduction of tax credits to embrace people with higher incomes than ever before, as well as, for the first time ever, rewarding those who were prudent enough to save for their retirement years. The slogan for the recent Pension Service campaign to encourage people to take up the Pension Credit was "Pick it up, it's yours". This hardly corresponds to people having to go "cap in hand".

Durham County Council are doing their bit too by funding the Welfare Rights service, which last year raised over £6m in additional benefits for people in the county. Christine Smith and her colleagues are responsible for this and should get the credit their efforts deserve. - Marjorie Kellett, Bishop Auckland.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND

ON April 28 the Church of England was involved in two confusing messages being sent out to the British people.

Firstly, it jointly signed a letter condemning those who may vote for the British National Party in the forthcoming local and European elections. It asked the voters to cast their vote for parties who are promoting policies of inclusion.

However, just as the openly gay Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, was about to be appointed, 40 of the diocese's highest ranking clergy and laity expressed by letter their dismay at his appointment.

Surely the church should lead by example and not practice double standards. Or perhaps they are just hypocrites. - B Anderson, Middleton St George.

CHIROPODY

HAVING had the services of the chiropody clinic at New College Durham, (being one of the best teaching departments in the country), we were horrified to be told the clinic is to be closed in June after operating since 1975. It is almost impossible to get an appointment under the NHS anywhere for at least one year in this area.

I'm sure this will cause a lot of hardship to a lot of older people who have difficulty in travelling and also paying for private treatment.

I feel this is a retrograde step for the prospective students and the people in this area. - Mr and Mrs H B Jackson, Durham.