HOW proud I am to be British. While there have been some people who predict the end of our monarchy, hundreds of thousands of people turned out to celebrate the Queen's special day throughout the United Kingdom.

In various cities and towns, British people came out in force to show respect to our Queen.

Record crowds in the North-East on Her Majesty's visits show how much our nation adores her, and no matter what, people like me will always be proud to serve her in any capacity. Well done Ma'am, and God Save the Queen. - Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH

ARTICLES (Echo, May 31) raised the question of whether or not the foot-and-mouth crisis was indeed started at Bobby Waugh's farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall or whether it had broken out earlier elsewhere.

A MAFF vet had discovered the symptoms in sheep which, he said, predated the supposed start in February 2001. Evidence has been put forward that foot-and-mouth may have been in the national sheep flock as early as October 2000.

The sheer volume of the number of outbreaks surely ridicules the theory that there was just one source of the outbreak.

When the Government took emergency powers and closed hundreds of thousands of miles of footpaths, shutting off much of Britain's countryside to tourism, it marked the start of one of the biggest crises to affect the rural economy in modern times.

Subsequent injections of money into rural economies are insignificant to meet the needs of the damage done to rural businesses.

The repeated calls for a public inquiry by The Northern Echo, the Federation of Small Businesses and others are prompted by the fact that there still remain too many questions unanswered.

The Government will not restore the confidence of people and businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis without a public inquiry; the inquiry must be open, totally independent of the Government and more far reaching than the Prime Minister's three tame studies.

The need for an inquiry will not go away by simply ignoring the issue. - Peter Troy, Chairman, Darlington Branch, Federation of Small Businesses.

I SEE from Gavin Engelbrecht's report (Echo, May 31) that farmers are closing ranks around Bobby Waugh. Well, I can understand that.

Because what stands condemned here is not so much an individual, as one vile and despicable industry.

Basically, farming has been a liability to the rest of us for over 50 years.

It has had licence to waste our money without let or hindrance, to commit acts of obscene cruelty against our fellow creatures and to rape and poison our countryside.

We have tolerated from farmers things we would never dream of tolerating from anyone else.

The industry now needs taking apart from top to bottom and restructuring on strictly ethical and organic lines.

What happened last year, horrific enough in itself, was also a warning. We may not get another. - T Kelly, Crook.

JOHN WESLEY

WHAT an interesting series of articles on the 250th anniversary of John Wesley preaching at High House Chapel.

On reading the history of the celebration, one couldn't help but marvel at the stamina and zeal of John Wesley and the response of the people of Weardale. There must have been something really special about what was preached and how the gospel was presented. Why else would hundreds have been prepared to stand outside in all weathers, on any day and at any time to hear Wesley and to respond to his preaching.

The Church today of whatever denomination could certainly do with some John Wesleys. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

JUSTICE FOR THE MINERS

HAVING read the letter from AW Dunn (HAS, May 30), I am another ex-miner in the same boat.

I was finished at the NCB with chest trouble and I have had a claim in now for four-and-a-half years.

I've had two medicals, the latest one in October 2001. Three months ago they told my solicitor that they were now in a position to offer a settlement. This has yet to materialise and still the excuses come.

I have yet to talk to anyone who has received any money. I think it is more hot air from phoney Tony and Co. - G Taylor, Shotton Colliery.

UNION FLAG

IN 1936 the House of Commons ruled that any subject of the United Kingdom, be they through birth or naturalisation, could as a sign of loyalty to the Crown and country legally display any national or government flag pertaining to any part of the United Kingdom or its government bodies. A ruling that, to the best of my knowledge, is still part of British law.

Britain is also a signatory to both the European and United Nations conventions on human rights - both effectively state that it is a basic human right for an individual to express their religious, cultural and national identity. Again something which is legal.

Therefore, should anyone (say a council) prevent an individual from flying their national flag, they are not only breaking British law, but they are violating both European and United Nations human rights conventions. - C T Riley, Spennymoor.