You write

SIR - I welcome interest in the work to revitalise Durham villages but Julie Aberdeen's comments (You Write, March 23) were ill-conceived.

Many of our once prosperous communities have suffered significant employment change following the demise of the mining industry, resulting in inadequate facilities and a deteriorating environment. That's why the city council successfully applied for an extra £1m of Government money to address problems in the Lower Deerness Valley.

The regeneration scheme combines a number of agencies working in partnership with local communities. For example, businesses have already been provided with financial assistance.

Residents' groups have been established, whilst renovation grants are being made available to households.

Advice agencies, like the Citizens' Advice Bureau, now visit to provide easy access to their services. Community centres are being refurbished and, in the case of New Brancepeth, computer equipment will soon be available.

Ushaw Moor has a miners' memorial and the Bearpark carnival has been revived. Credit unions are being formed to provide an alternative to high-interest money lenders.

Approval has been granted for a new housing estate in Ushaw Moor to help sustain the village and the programme of activities at the sports centre is expanding.

These are just a few of the initiatives being undertaken to bring new life to communities that have previously suffered from circumstances beyond their control.

For Ms Aberdeen to say that 'nothing constructive is being done' is grossly misleading and unhelpful to residents in her own village who are working to improve their environment.David Bell

Durham City Councillor, New Brancepeth Ward

Leaflet lays blame

SIR - I am in possession of a leaflet from local Liberal Democrats. In this leaflet they criticise our council for the rise in council tax laying the blame for this with central government due to inadequate funding.

Let's be honest, none of us like paying more tax of whatever kind. That said, if the extra money is needed for social services and education, then so be it.

The Lib Dems state that spending in the vitally important area of social services is out of control. They go on to say they wanted a smaller increase so quite obviously it follows that if they were to get their way, cuts in these vital services would have to be made.

The literature goes on to say that there is room for more efficient management, but then fails to say how this could be achieved. If they had come up with some innovative ideas I would have been more impressed than just making a sweeping statement.

The Lib Dems then go on to use the remaining 75 per cent of the leaflet to point out areas of environmental concerns. These concerns are absolutely valid, but I would think if you were to ask tax payers what was more important, their child's education or kerbside recycling, I think we all know what the answer would be and where our money should be spent.

Paul Taylor

Meadowfield, Durham

First-class care

SIR - I write as a recent patient at the University Hospital in Durham.

I have expressed my personal thanks to those who cared for me during my stay and afterwards.

However I feel that it would be inappropriate not to make a public expression of my appreciation and gratitude.

The staff, at all levels, undertook their roles in a totally professional, efficient and effective manner prior to, during and after surgery. From the moment I arrived to the time of my departure I received an extremely dedicated and sympathetic service, which was enhanced by the excellent facilities and ancillary services.

I personally feel that very often some find it is all too easy to criticise but are reluctant to find the time to give praise particularly where it is truly earned.

Once again my heartfelt thanks go to everyone concerned and I commend the hospital to all future patients.

Peter Thompson,

Gilesgate

Where's the value?

SIR - After reading Coun Mick Bennett's letter I have a suggestion for him: Walk around the estates, and see first-hand the value for money we get from our rates.

I live in a cul-de-sac, with a grassed area maintained by the council at the head of it. Since we pay an added £30 per annum parish rate you would expect the grass to be as immaculate as the displays in Durham City.

The grass was half cut last week, literally, and then left. After a phone call to the council, the explanation was that a car was parked adjacent to the land and he couldn't get the grass cutting tractor past it. Three men then turned up, two watched, while the other cut the grass. Great value, Mick.

Our pavements have recently been resurfaced for the second time in 30 years. This consisted of a very thin coat of bitumen. Within eight days, weeds were again growing through the new top coat.

Phone call to the council - we have a guarantee that the coat will keep the weeds at bay for at least two months. Wow. Great value, Mick.

Our road hasn't been repaired in over 30 years. It is now so pitted with potholes that we contacted the council last October and actually had someone sent to look at it.

He agreed it was in a disgraceful condition and promised it would be repaired either before Christmas or as soon as decent weather would allow afterwards. We are still waiting. Great value, Mick.

The only decent service we receive for the money we pay, is to have our dustbins emptied, and the street lighting. Anything else requires countless phone calls.

I suggest, Mick, that the council actually starts to provide a decent service for all the ratepayers, not just for the chosen ones - students and tourists - or the residents of selected estates. The service received is an abysmal joke. Unfortunately for us, a very expensive one.

S Grendale,

Belmont

A rebel's rhyme

SIR - You can't have failed to notice, it could not escape your eyes,

Trees festooned with paper bags of every shape and size.

No more do we see roadsweepers clearing up the mess,

Councils must be saving money paying council workers less.

Until it's all cleaned up I can tell you for a fact,

That I will not pay, I will not, will not pay my council tax.

Litter attracts litter, mounds grow bigger every day,

Cardboard boxes, polystyrene, things that people throw away,

Worn out fridges, plastic bottles, adding to the plight,

Of our devastated roadside, a most disturbing sight.

Until it's all cleaned up I can tell you for a fact,

That I will not pay, I will not, will not pay my council tax.

The day is fast approaching when rubbish from the verge

Spills into the roadway and piles of litter merge.

I see it in my mind's eye, litter louts and gents alike,

Bringing tyres, old scrap metal, worn out beds, a broken bike.

Until it's all cleaned up I can tell you for a fact,

That I will not pay, I will not, will not pay my council tax.

Soggy card and wet newspaper, magazines and last year's grass.

Cement it all together in a monolithic mass.

They'll have to build a flyover to get from A to B,

Or perhaps they'll dig a tunnel to preserve its dignity.

But until it's all cleaned up I can tell you for a fact,

That I will not pay, I will not, will not pay my council tax.

This tangled heap of metal will attract the artworld boff,

Who'll proclaim it a work of art, The Dung Heap Of The North,

Then local glossy brochures will tempt tourists by the score,

And every town in England will demand its own eyesore.

Still until it's all cleaned up I can tell you for a fact,

That I will not pay, I will not, will not pay my council tax.

Eve Brown Chester-le-Stree