MY son has neuro-fibromatosis and requires door-to-door transport to take him to college. He has had it for the last year but it has now been withdrawn as the college will not fund it (Echo, Sept 3).
Darlington Council says that no transport is available unless you live outside a radius of three miles. We live within two miles.
The situation may change next year, but this is no good to us. My son requires this now if he is going to continue in college on the Pathways Learning Programme.
I have written to the college, council, and my local councillor in the hope that this will not continue, not only for my son, but many others in the same situation. - EA Raper, Darlington.
JUNK MAIL
A YEAR ago a company started sending us an office furniture brochure about once a month. Then they started to send us three copies of the brochure, all addressed slightly differently.
I wrote to them in November last year telling them that they were welcome to send us one copy if they wished, but asking them to stop sending the other two. This has been completely ignored, and since June they have been sending us four copies. - D Knowles, Project Systems (UK) Ltd, Whitby.
DARLINGTON FC
IT would be nice to see Darlington FC bring back the black and white hoop shirts worn in the past, for the opening of the new stadium. It would recall all the quality players who played for the club at Feethams wearing those shirts. It could be an omen for the future. - N Tate, Darlington.
PINE GROVE
I WAS very sad to read of Pine Grove Residents' Association objecting to four people with learning disabilities moving into its road in Darlington.
These people are not rapists, murderers, drug addicts or paedophiles. They are human beings who need a little consideration and the right to live in a "normal" house in a normal street.
The association spokesman used the word "disparate" to describe them. We are all different in so many ways. I think these people might bring humility in to an area which seems to be sadly lacking it. - A Owen, Darlington.
I WAS sad to read the reaction of residents of Pine Grove and Carmel Road.
These young people with mild learning difficulties need help to learn how to fit in with society and train in new skills. They are friendly, affectionate and enthusiastic; some have outstanding skills which could be utilised in employment.
My own daughter has a mild learning difficulty so I know what these young people have to face in term of prejudice.
There is no malice or ill-intent in these youngsters, so I ask that residents do not ruin the children's future. These young people will enrich the neighbourhood. - Name and Address Supplied.
BUTTERKNOWLE
A BELATED thank-you to Chris Mills for his excellent local history exhibition in Butterknowle Village Hall over the August Bank Holiday. Having travelled from Carlisle, I am proud to be associated with this exhibition. My parents lived in the Woodland area in the early 1900s and I still have relatives in the area. My grandmother owned the Royal Hotel in Woodland before 1900. - P Macdonald, Carlisle.
WOLF
FOLLOWING the article Return of the Wolf (Echo, Sept 10), I remember a nature programme on which a scientist stated: "Despite the fearsome reputation of the wolf, there is not one documented case of a person being attacked and killed by a wolf." - L Lewis, Bishop Auckland.
DURHAM CITY
I AM hoping that before October 1, someone will hear my voice. I, and lots of elderly people, cannot carry their shopping from Marks & Spencer and other shops in Durham market outside Woolworths.
I go to Durham every Thursday as I have a husband I have nursed for 12 years. I don't get care allowance or any allowance as I am 75 and not fit.
We all have to pay £2 toll to get picked up within minutes.
Please think again. Why not provide a pass for the taxis for old and infirm people whose only treat once a week is a look around the shops? - Mary Goodwin, Durham.
PROSTITUTION
SURELY the prostitution problem on Teesside can be solved by the joint forces of Chief Constable Barry Shaw and Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon.
Let them clear the pimps (men and women) who are putting young girls on the streets. Put them behind bars for many years. Come on, gentlemen, show the country how this filthy problem can be beaten and let the people of Middlesbrough have a lot better lives and hopefully save a lot of young lives from misery and pain. - F Wealands, Darlington.
CANNABIS
SINCE smoking is the biggest cause of death in this country, why are there people who want smoking of cannabis legalised? If smoking cannabis was legal there would be sufficient evidence to ban it. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.
VANDALISM
WHOEVER is responsible for vandalising the children's graves (Echo, Sept 10) must be caught and made to repair the damage done.
It will probably turn out to be young hooligans on a wrecking spree, as usual revelling in the destruction they cause while giving no thought for those they harm by their actions.
The time has come for those who vandalise and spoil our communities to be brought to book. It would benefit everyone, sinners and those sinned against, to see gangs of convicted culprits working hard to clear litter, remove graffiti and repair the damage they have caused to gardens and property.
The law-abiding general public have been forced for far too long to put up with the destruction and mess caused by the mindless, selfish few. - EA Moralee, Billingham.
WAR ON IRAQ
NOTICE how on September 11 Ground Zero had been cleared after hundreds of millions of tons of wreckage. All the steel girders had been sent off for scrap.
How many nations could have accomplished that in one year? This is why America is the envy of the world. They go to work and get things done. Lots of nations would still be gawping at that colossal pile of debris in 20 years time. Americans get stuck in. - Jim Ross, Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear.
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