SIR - In a week when all the newspapers were full of gloom and doom concerning the Gala Theatre, we were able to share in the real delight of two wonderful performances held there.

On Wednesday and Thursday, June 12/13, children from the Belmont Cluster Group celebrated with a Jubilee concert at the Gala Theatre.

Belmont Comprehensive School and all its feeder schools were represented on the stage and on both evenings the auditorium was packed.

On each occasion the children sang and played brilliantly.

What an experience for around 300 children to perform on our new theatre stage, with all the extra excitement of being backstage.

The Gala Theatre staff were excellent too, helping in both professional and personal ways.

It is to be hoped that the financial difficulties (which appear to be huge) can be overcome and that this will be the first of many joint school ventures, where the theatre and local schools can work successfully together.

We have needed such a facility in our city for some time. Every effort must be made to ensure its success.

Heather Creaghan, Belmont

Superb concert

SIR - I feel I must write to let the students and staff of the Belmont Schools' Cluster Group know how much their performance in our wonderful new theatre was appreciated, although I am sure the audience reaction told them this.

With many years of involvement in school productions behind me, I realise the commitment they all must have given to this concert - from five and six-year-olds learning all those words through to adult help behind the scenes getting so many performers on and off the stage without a hitch.

Well done Belmont School, Belmont Infants, Belmont C of E Junior, Cheveley Park Primary, Ludworth Primary, Pittington Primary, Sherburn Primary, West Rainton Primary and the staff of the Gala Theatre - it was a lovely evening.

Irene Lupton, Belmont

Ask the children

SIR - What a good letter from the two boys from Cheveley Park Primary in your edition on Thursday, May 30.

Over the last 25 years all four of our children have regularly attended their local cinema on evenings and weekends with family and friends. Walking down North Road one regularly sees groups of friends meeting outside the cinema.

Apart from the bowling alley, where else can young people go safely in the city centre in the knowledge that they will be entertained cheaply for a couple of hours (far more cheaply than cinemas in Newcastle or the MetroCentre) and where else can parents know that their children can be left to enjoy themselves without supervision?

I had assumed that with the proposed closure of the Robins cinema, the Gala building would take over this amenity but this does not seem to be the case.

The audacity of our city planners and councillors is amazing. Durham needs another new pub like it needs a new cathedral.

Were any of our young people consulted when this decision was made? Were any taxpayers consulted?

If this arrangement goes through it will be a slap in the face for all the young people of Durham. Is it too late for a rethink, or will our children look back in a few years time and wonder why they were betrayed by adults who should have known better?

Stewart Bowman, Durham

Car park quip

SIR - The proposal to use the Dryburn Hospital site as a park and ride car park appears debatable but I notice that there is still one building that has not been demolished. This could be used either as:

l A meeting place for boy scouts or girl guides who never seem to have enough premises (plenty of wood for camp fires), or,

l A place where skate-boarders could skate - supervised by off-duty policemen and policewomen, or,

l A youth club run by members of the city council in their spare time, or,

l A temporary court-house for Chester-le-Street magistrates, or,

l An overflow medical ward for the nearby New Hospital. Beds could be obtained from the Salvation Army and it could be staffed by the St. John Ambulance Association. Far better for the people that they train in first aid to practice on really ill patients, or,

l A 25-seater concert hall. The Gala Theatre management could practice running such a hall and, when able to do it efficiently, could switch to the real thing.

Failing all these suggestions, the building could be given to any shopkeeper in the City who feels that his trade has suffered because of council policies. This would show the magnanimous spirit of the City Council.

Name and address supplied

Israel's view

SIR - It was with interest that we read the article in the Durham Advertiser (May 4) stating that a petition of more than 2,000 signatures had been collected in Durham City and handed to Gerry Steinberg MP 'pressing for the ending of the occupation of Palestine by Israel'.

This report has only presented one perspective of the situation, and we wish to redress the balance as we are extremely disturbed by the allegations and accusations made against Israel within this petition.

People have been influenced by media reports, especially those of the BBC and Channel 4, which significantly favour the Palestinian situation. Many of those who signed the petition will have a real desire for peace, but do not have a valid picture of the conflict which is taking place.

Israel is being subjected to criticism from national leaders who would never, ever allow their citizens to be killed, maimed or suffer as have the Jewish people. Israel is acting in self-defence.

The truth of both sides needs to be recognised and understood - until then there can never be a true peace settlement.

Lena Hack, Clive Hack, Ann Watson, Jan Pounder, Durham

Grateful thanks

SIR - I would like to thank the people who came to my aid when I tripped and fell in North Road, Durham, on Thursday, June 6, especially the lady with dark hair and the young lad who picked up my shopping. Once the shock wore off I realised I had not thanked them properly.

Mary Basquil, Durham