27/01/2004

The media are out for a scalp for what could be considered a vendetta. The skiing holiday is irrelevant and the Dr David Kelly incident was of his own making and, whether the leaking of his name was the cause of his death or not, is dubious.

Dr Kelly was in no position to talk to the press and he found to his cost that it was foolish and irresponsible.

Once upon a time he would have been arrested and tried for what was considered acts against the well-being of the state.

I find the media and their arrogance on many occasions worrying because they seem to think their own importance is above reproach.

As for the BBC, it is time it was put out to grass. I see no justification for paying my TV licence when, for the most part, they give nothing but rubbish.

On the issue of the body armour, I cannot see how Geoff Hoon would be at all responsible for orders given by an army officer, in which can only be considered as circumstances beyond his control.

If there was a shortage of money for such equipment, then those that advocate we waste vast sums of money on supporting good causes while ignoring the needy of this country, must question their own integrity. - John Young, Crook.

EDUCATION

IT comes as no surprise that fewer than half the children who passed last year's national English tests of 11-year-olds could not spell such words as 'effortless' and 'participate' (Echo, Jan 19).

There were no doubt many more words the majority could not spell, even the so-called high fliers. Why did they pass an English test if they could not spell properly?

Ofsted's warning of poor teaching holding back improvement in education sounds correct. Things like spelling, grammar and multiplication tables are neglected. Falling standards result.

As far as spelling is concerned, the excuse often used is that children use computer spell checks so don't need to know the correct spelling for themselves. Also, outside the classroom, most children ignore proper spelling in favour of their own, strange texting on mobile phones. Both arguments are sadly true.

But let's get real. Using a spell check involves pressing a button. Texting involves pressing buttons. Is this all our children are capable of doing as far as education is concerned? Is this all their knowledge and use of the English language? Why, even animals can be trained to press buttons.

Time for a return to basic, old-fashioned teaching. Know how to use modern technology, yes, but don't let it blot out what real education and knowledge is all about. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

MAIL TRAIN

I WAS much struck recently by the sad tone of Dave Griffiths' letter (HAS, Jan 15) about the passing into history of the Travelling Post Office. Had I known it was to end I would have been at Bank Top Station too.

Chris Lloyd's evocative piece (Echo, Jan 17) captured the essential romance of it so well. I do realise it must have been a tiring job.

Whenever I waited on the platform to meet a daughter from London, I used to love watching the mail being loaded, catching glimpses of country-wide destinations on the Dickensian pigeon-holes.

Seeing the train arrive felt like stumbling on the secret travels of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

One such evening I was privileged to be escorted through a couple of carriages by one of the mail men and greeted by several others. I used to marvel that such a simple, efficient, yet essentially steam-age system was still being used. The end had to come. I still feel sad that it has. Farewell TPO. - AA Gibbon, Darlington.

JACK SCOTT

I MUST write to congratulate Mike Amos on his 'Hail Fellow Well Met' column (Echo, Jan 15).

It is very refreshing to read something that is not pulling someone or some party or company apart.

Jack Scott, ex-East Howle resident and Alderman Wraith Grammar School pupil, my family knew him well. He was at school with my older brother George, the same age. They joined up together. Jack to the RAF and our George to the RN.

Before the war our family were residents of Coxhoe Co-op in Ferryhill Village (no longer a Co-op now), where my father (no longer with us now) was the manager.

I can remember we had an old outbuilding which we as kids converted into a games room into which we managed to place a half-size snooker table and we three brothers (RN), Jack Scott and as many other kids around the doors, would have great times during school holidays. This was in the time when holidays abroad were unheard of.

It is great to hear of a local lad doing well and, if Jack ever comes home, he is welcome at my humble ex-council house any time. Good on yer Jack. - Arthur Makepeace, Ferryhill.

SAMSUNG

THE situation at Samsung is a disgrace and we must do something. Someone has taken advantage of the ordinary British taxpayer.

Agricultural land cost about £4,000 an acre when Samsung was given permission to build at Wynyard. As light industrial land the Samsung facilities are worth millions.

Samsung already had a plant at Billingham, the old Rediffusion plant. The Billingham industrial estate was half empty. Samsung could have easily expanded there.

Instead, it was given permission to open at Wynyard on a greenfield site.

Samsung has made a fortune in the property market by developing a greenfield side.

Samsung is cashing in those millions by leaving.

If we are to reclaim any of the money given to Samsung in government grants we should look no further than the proceeds of the sale of the Wynyard site.

Perhaps if Mr Blair acts quickly we could nationalise the site by Act of Parliament, paying Samsung in compensation only the amount paid for the land at first instance and the cost of the buildings.

This needs a public inquiry. Let's face it, someone has taken advantage of the British taxpayer and we must act now to find out who and recover some of the money. - Nigel Boddy, 2001 Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats, Hartlepool.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

DURHAM County Councillor Eric Watson gives some impressive figures of savings for a new single unitary council if we elect a Regional Assembly (HAS, Jan 22).

Since the present council carried out such "careful research", can he give us more details of exactly how the savings could be achieved or is this a council secret?

Also, would the members of the Area boards (11-14 in number I believe) be elected by the people of Durham or chosen and appointed by a new council.

If so much can be saved why do we have to wait for a Regional Assembly to be elected - why cannot we do it now?

But would a Regional Assembly not swallow up any such savings? - J Routledge, Durham.