Ineffective

Whilst I commend Darlington Borough Council for its "Time To Recycle" campaign, I feel it falls short of being an effective one.

I would question, as I believe many others have, the decision to withdraw the contract of the previous paper/cardboard collector so that the council scheme could take its place.

As a result I can no longer recycle much of my household paper and cardboard waste. Why did the council take this decision rather than the more logical step to allow the paper collections to remain with a company who were able to deal with them, until such time as Darlington had the systems in place to deal with this material?

In its literature the scheme highlighted its aim to send less household waste to landfill. However I, and everyone I have spoken to on this matter (including the waste collectors themselves), say that additional bags of refuse are being left by most houses each week, which will end up in a landfill site.

There also seems to be confusion over the definition of "clear plastic PET" bottles. I have put out clear (see-through), although green tinged, PET bottles only to have them returned. Clear non-PET bottles left as an experiment to see if they were returned, have been collected. If people are confused they are less likely to use the scheme at all.

So in conclusion, as I already recycled glass waste at local sites, I feel the scheme falls far short of its intended aim and perhaps explains why some people, perhaps in frustration at its limitations, are not using the scheme.

(Mrs) S CONNER

Hurworth,

Darlington.

If it ain't broke..

Sir, - What an excellent, sensible and comprehensive letter from Janet Hall (D&S, Dec 26) stating that the proposed name change for Teesside Airport would be a retrograde step.

As a former advertising and publicity agent to the majority of councils and development boards in the region I can only add that out of the £20m or more likely to be allocated to the airport, at least £5m would have to be spent on a new awareness promotion including new road signs down to international and local advertising and all print requirements.

This would be far better spent on terminal improvements, in particular the extremely poor arrival facility.

I also hate to think of the confusion in other airports where the monitors may read "DURHAM/T". Where????

Enough of egoistic political wrangling. For once do what is best for the area. Teesside Airport let it remain.

VIC SMITH

Westholme,

Hutton Rudby.

EU positives

Sir, - Over the last year or so the columns of your newspaper have been filled with many letters expressing concern about the increasing power of the EU and being "ruled from Brussels".

It seems to me that too often the opportunities, advantages and beneficial legislation that flows from Brussels to regulate the single market that we are all part of is overlooked.

Indeed, as individual citizens of the European Union we have rights of redress on almost any European matter. In these cases the European treaties give every citizen the fundamental right to petition or complain to the European Parliament or the European Ombudsman.

The rights apply equally to

* all citizens of the European Union

* all natural or legal persons (e.g. businesses, organisations, associations, societies and collective bodies) residing in or having their registered office in a member state of the European Union.

* non EU citizens from a third country, residing in the Union.

Anyone who would wish to exercise these rights can obtain a helpful leaflet from my office giving details of how to take their concerns forward with either the European Parliament by way of a petition or the European Ombudsman by way of a complaint.

DAVID BOWE

MEP, Yorkshire and the Humber Region

Blenheim Terrace,

Leeds.

Join the Marines

Sir, - Calling all former Royal Marines and ex-service personnel, male or female, who served with any Royal Marine unit and are interested in forming a local branch of the Royal Marine Association. This would be a new branch for the area of the former Cleveland county and surrounding localities.

The aim of establishing a new branch is to enable like-minded people to regularly meet at a convenient location, with the view of enjoying fellowship, camaraderie and mutual welfare. A major reason for a new and local group is to remove excessive travel and associated costs. The envisaged area of the new group would include Teesside, Hartlepool and Darlington, but anyone living beyond would be made welcome.

Anybody who is interested in the above is requested to contact me (01642 553339) with a view to arranging an initial get together.

LAWRIE AUDLEY

84 Grosvenor Road,

Billingham

TS22 5AW.

Charity choice

Sir, - Some of your readers are no doubt aware that I have chosen equally as my charities this year, the Friends of the Friary Hospital, Richmond; the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton and the Memorial Hospital in Darlington.

In this way I feel I have probably covered the whole of Richmondshire and there can be few families who at some time or other may not call on the services of these hospitals.

If you, as individuals or in groups, would like to organise any money-raising function to contribute to my charity fund, I would be most delighted to hear of it. You can let the Head of Democratic Services at Swale House, Richmond, know of your plans.

My civic year ends in the middle of May and so any support activity for my charity should have been completed by this time.

Coun MICHAEL HESELTINE

Chairman, Richmondshire District Council,

Swale House,

Richmond.

Hall fundraising

Sir, - The Brompton village grand Christmas draw and domino drive on December 15 raised £412.

This welcome addition to hall funds would not have been possible without the generous support of the local businesses and individuals.

On behalf of the committee I would, therefore, like to thank everyone who supported us, in whatever form.

We are planning to install new toilets and improve access for the disabled during the coming year, and so we very much hope their support will continue, as a steady inflow of funds will be even more important than usual.

R J CARTER

Stokesley Road,

Brompton,

Northallerton