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THE GOLDEN AGE

FOLLOWING your Golden Age supplement on travel (Echo, Jan 29) and next week's one on health, could * point out that those born in the 1920 to 1930 period have had to deal with vast changes. The values of the day have changed dramatically, and we have often found it very difficult to adapt.

Let us examine some of these changes:

* Abusive language in everyday use and foul language on television. I am no prude, having served in the forces during the war where barrack room language could be foul, but we would never use it in the presence of ladies or children. Indeed, a code of conduct among old soldiers still exists.

* Violence exists in almost every TV programme and sexual behaviour can make the Golden Oldies feel very embarrassed when in the presence of their families.

* The current use of drugs is entirely foreign to our way of thinking, as is the amount of alcohol consumed by youngsters.

* We have, quite rightly, had to adjust to the new ethnic community. This often is overlooked by the younger generation.

* Homosexuality is now paraded, and often encouraged, in our society. We knew it existed but it was always frowned upon.

We have tried to adapt over the years, but we often find it difficult. We have, of course, seen a lot of changes for the better and must remember that it is not all doom and gloom. So please spare a thought for us in the changing society. - RB Seyburn, Billingham.

FAIRGROUND

I AM extremely concerned about an article (Echo, Jan 30) in which you explicitly state that fairground operators "supply the lifeblood of modern terrorism".

This assertion is an unforgivable slur against the industry I represent and I speak with authority when I say members of the Showmen's Guild have never, and would never, directly subscribe or support terrorism in any way, shape or form.

My members do support various worthwhile charities in the UK, such as Save the Children, to whom the Guild donated £37,000 in its centenary year - but support terrorism, never!

Your readers must not be under the illusion that when they visit travelling funfairs they are helping to finance terrorism - nothing could be further from the truth. - AAK Miller, General Secretary, The Showmen's Guild of Great Britain, Middlesex.

Editor's note: Our report was based on a global study by the Egmont Group, published last September, which found that some fairground operators, as well as carpet dealers, property traders and computer chip suppliers, laundered terrorist money.

HEALTH

ON February 7, I attended a health summit in Sunderland where fellow delegates were informed that the North-East has the worst health in the country.

The biggest killers and threats to health:

1 Heart disease and strokes

2 Cancers

3 Mental illness/suicides

4 Teenage conception

5 Long term disability.

The health of the nation rests firmly with the Government (Labour at present) and what a record it has, with the Health Secretary MP for Darlington and the Prime Minister MP for Sedgefield. - Conservative Councillor Stephen Smailes, Stockton Borough Council.

MMR

MY thoughts are with those who believe their children have been harmed by the MMR vaccine, but there is documented evidence that there is no link between the MMR and Cohns or autism. If given the single vaccine, the child is susceptible to the illnesses that they have not been vaccinated against. The effects of these illnesses are potentially dire.

What concerns me is the number of parents themselves who put both their unborn and growing children at risk every day - these are the parents who smoke and drink knowing only full well the risks to their child.

I trust that none of those guilty of exposing their offspring to what are technically drugs are displaying double standards and pointing accusing fingers. And what about those parents who travel with unrestrained children in their vehicles - or even worse, the parent who sits with a baby on their lap in the front seat?

Who are the ones playing Russian roulette with children's lives now? - F Rolfe, Crook.

FRANKENFISH

IN the article "These Frankenfish could save lives" (Echo, Feb 7), the writer managed to confuse the properties of all three gases encountered in coal mines.

Methane (firedamp CH4) is explosive in certain concentrations, carbon dioxide (blackdamp CO2) is an asphyxiating gas and carbon monoxide (sometimes called afterdamp CO) is highly toxic. It is this latter gas which is responsible for the deaths caused by defective gas fires in households.

Canaries were used to detect the presence of this gas after fires and explosions underground by rescue teams (never by ordinary miners). The Davy lamp was invented by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1834 to provide safe illumination for miners and to detect firedamp and the presence of blackdamp. - R Robinson, previously head of safety and ventilation, NE Area, British Coal.

KEITH VAZ

KEITH Vaz MP has been severely punished by a month's suspension from the House of Commons for his wrongdoing. I have yet to meet a hod carrier or a dustman who has been sent home for a month on full pay. - Jim Ross, Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear.

HURWORTH REUNION

MAY I remind former pupils of Miss Penty's Class at Hurworth School that it will soon be time for the annual reunion. The date is July 6 and will be at the Dalesway Restaurant at Scotch Corner. Please make a note in your diary. - Doreen Turner (nee Hodgson), Thirsk.