I READ that people had been picking wild daffodils in Farndale (Echo, Apr 15).

Some might think that this is bad for the plants. Actually it is a good thing, because if the flower is picked, the fruiting part will be removed. If the fruits are left on the plants, as is normal in the wild, some of the strength of the fruits goes into ripening these instead of back into the bulbs.

By dead-heading my garden daffodils each year, I have greatly improved their subsequent years' flowering, thus proving this claim. - Ann Carr, Middleton St George, Darlington.

PETER MULLEN

IT was always my understanding that charities and religious establishments were exempt from paying income tax and, since your columnist, the Rev Peter Mullen, is a member of a religious establishment, it follows that he does not pay income tax (Echo, Apr 16).

In his article, he states quite clearly that he does not wish to pay any extra income tax to help out the ailing NHS.

In the Bible story, his fellow priests and Pharisees refused to help the sick man, but a Good Samaritan came along and paid for the man's hospital treatment.

Are Mr Mullen and his fellow Tories waiting for another Good Samaritan to come along? - J and G Pallister, Durham.

I WAS an in-patient of the NHS for nearly six months, and have been an out-patient for perhaps two years. During this time, I saw none of the conditions described by Peter Mullen. Quite the reverse, in fact.

I suggest that the Tories are bent on undermining that which they have opposed since its inception. If Mr Mullen needs to preach, he ought to tell his barmy army that they'll need to do a good deal better themselves. - D Lonsdale, Ripon.

ISRAEL

I MUST answer the really vicious letter from Bethany Megan Robinson (HAS, Apr 15). As a supporter of most of her views, I was most surprised at her attitude towards the Palestinians. Has she been in Palestine to see the friendly Israeli troops with their 30-ton tanks flatten villages, schools and hospitals, containing whole families because they say a few terrorists were seen there?

Serving in Palestine in 1948, we were often told: "When you leave, we will get rid of the Arabs."

The original terrorists were the Stern gang and their attitudes are still there. Any Arab with a catapult is a potential enemy.

The Holocaust is past, Israel should remember and withdraw from Palestinian land. - TR McCormack, Newton Aycliffe.

HOW perverse is history. Persecution of the Jews in Germany elicited much sympathy around the world, and it did not do Hitler any good.

Now the Jews are persecuting Arabs and Christians. Do they think it will do them any good? - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill, Durham.

NOTHING can justify the intentional indiscriminate murder of women and children as is now happening in Israel in the Palestinians' supposed pursuit of freedom.

Israel must recognise the desperate measures now being taken by these suicide extremists - which are seemingly welcomed by most Palestinians - and get into meaningful negotiations with all of its neighbours.

It should be remembered that Israel did not take military action in the 1940s until attacked by the surrounding Arab states.

It is time for Hamas to call a halt to these atrocious activities and pursue all means for an agreeable political solution.

Hugh Pender (HAS, Apr 8) is always the first person to condemn Israel - will he now perhaps be equally condemning of these suicide bombers? - Name and address supplied, Co Durham.

CEMETERIES

WITH regard to your recent letters concerning cemeteries in Darlington, I suggest someone should take a walk in the North Cemetery.

On entering main gates, the lodge is boarded up. The main lodge and office in the centre are covered in graffiti. The chapel, which is supposed to be a sacred place, is an absolute disgrace. Very little gets done now the workforce has been reduced. The council says nothing's changed - but three men for two cemeteries? The men can't be in two places at one.

I have relatives buried in North Cemetery and visit most days and it's very distressing to see the state of the place.

Cemeteries in other towns are beautiful. What are we paying our increased council tax for? - V Flanagan, Darlington.

STAMPS

I would like readers to send me their used postage stamps to help raise money for the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. The PDSA treats sick animals whose owners cannot afford veterinary fees. Any help would be greatly appreciated. - T Howarth, 20 Front Street, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, County Durham DH9 9LY.

MACMILLAN NURSES

THERE has been major coverage in The Northern Echo about the fact that money intended for cancer patients in the North-East last year may have been diverted to other uses within the NHS.

Many Macmillan Cancer Relief services in the region are located within NHS premises, and Macmillan Nurses, GPs and other Macmillan-trained specialists work alongside NHS staff to deliver care to patients.

We would like to assure patients and their families, however, that all monies donated to Macmillan Cancer Relief, and specifying the County Durham Appeal, will be spent on improving cancer care within the county. There is no possibility that these funds will be diverted to other uses.

The current appeal, for £600,000 towards appointing a consultant in palliative care and two more Macmillan Nurses for County Durham, has already raised £150,000.

Our address has recently changed to: Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal, Meadowfield Clinic, 1 Frederick Street South, Meadowfield, County Durham DH7 8LZ, tel: 0191-378 1188. - Caroline Broadfoot and Caroline Peacock, Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal Managers.