IT WAS good to read, at last, a positive letter supporting the Gala Theatre in Durham City (HAS, July 10). I am tired of negative comments about the project.

It might not have gone according to plan - do new projects ever work perfectly? The people of the Durham area now have an exciting new leisure facility. As theatregoers, we have had to travel to Newcastle, Sunderland, Darlington or Billingham.

Recently my 89-year-old mother visited the theatre with a friend, independently, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. Last Monday, I visited the theatre with my daughter and grandchildren to see The Railway Children, which was brilliant.

Neither of these visits would have been possible in the past.

Let's stop looking back at troubles past and look to the future. Let's get on our feet and support the project for present and future generations. The people of the Durham City area deserve the Gala Theatre - let's all celebrate it! - Barbara Hepplewhite, Coxhoe.

HAVING worked extensively in the creative arts, I can point A Smith (HAS, July 10), to a number of reasons why the Gala Theatre is a folly.

It is too small to attract major companies or viable finance. It is also too large for the size of the local population which is interested in the arts.

The majority of theatre structures and productions do not run on a profit basis. The arts are heavily subsidised. Those not interested are footing the bill for the council's decisions.

Why not ask the local community what it requires instead of dictating and wasting taxpayers' money? If decisions are made behind closed doors without consultation or community involvement, we should ask serious questions.

Is no one accountable for this structure which was redundant before it left the drawing board?

Most companies and organisations do homework first - but not, it seems, the local council. I am reminded of another great folly, the Millennium Dome. - Jim Nunn, Carrville, Co Durham.

SNARES

I WAS pleased to read (Echo, July 8) that the National Federation of Badger Groups is calling for a ban on all snares. I hope anyone who is concerned will write to their MP or the Prime Minister supporting a ban.

Guidelines about the use of snares are often ignored. They can been seen set under fence lines, under gates, along riverbanks, close to public footpaths. All kinds of wildlife and pets are caught in them: badgers, deer (around the leg), sheep, otter, dogs and cats.

There is no official body to check on them. They are usually found on private land. Therefore the poor creatures are not likely to be found by the public and can only suffer in silence.

All snares are indiscriminate - ban the lot. The sooner the better. - Brenda Scragg, Frosterley.

THE National Federation of Badger Groups as well as the RSPCA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the League Against Cruel Sports and other organisations, is campaigning for a ban on all snares.

Those who approve of the use of snares say a lot of nonsense has been talked of animals being garroted or strangled in snares and suffering lingering deaths. There is undeniable overwhelming evidence of this.

Please write to your MP or the Prime Minister asking them to support the campaign. - John Gill, Consett.

EUROPE

IT is what E Whittaker (HAS, July 14) did not say that bothers me: the path from the Common Market leads to a Federal State and the way the European Parliament has power over our laws and our money.

What is the aim of the European Union? If it is to promote peace, we do not have to give up sovereignty to do that.

As we are the fourth richest country in the world, we will be giving up most to help all the smaller countries. So our schools, prisons, railways, hospitals are run down.

Just think how many schools and hospitals, higher pensions we could have had with the billions we have paid to Europe since 1973. - M Richardson, Darlington.

HOLIDAYMAKERS seem to be in favour of the euro because it will eliminate changing money. However, as during decimalisation, all people who handled money sneaked extra costs into bills. The same is happening to the euro in Spain.

It will be even worse if Tony Blair devalues the pound after Britain's entry into monetary union. Politicians and others will buy up millions of euros and when the pound is devalued they will make themselves millionaires.

This expected devaluation of the pound is where all the money is coming from to pay for the railways, education and the NHS. - Raymond Selkirk, Chester-le-Street.

THE anti-European lies and myths about the consequences of joining the euro have been refuted by many knowledgeable people. In his booklet, A Red Herring, Edward Troup, a London tax adviser, says that whether Britain joins the euro or not, neither VAT, income tax nor corporation tax will be set at a European level.

Not a single European country has been asked to harmonise its taxes since it joined the euro. Harmonisation is not on the agenda. All 12 parliamentary democracies that adopted the euro are as keen as the UK to maintain their autonomy in tax matters.

There is no threat to the independence, democracy or freedom in this country if the UK also adopts the euro. The power to raise taxes will still be in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. - E Whittaker, Richmond.

CEMETERIES

FOLLOWING your article about the upkeep of cemeteries (Echo, Jun 29), I walked through Crook cemetery and the old part was an absolute disgrace. The new part was not much better. I have never known it like that. It was a pleasure to walk through it once upon a time. It is the old story: pay more council tax for fewer services. - B Alderson, Crook.