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THE BEATLES

VERY seldom do I disagree with the viewpoint of Peter Mullen's column. In fact, I take great delight in the days that follow publication, in looking out for the regular critical correspondents of his column.

However, with his rather vitriolic piece on The Beatles (Echo, Dec 11), he seems to have missed the point.

The Beatles were a group of entertainers. One dictionary definition of an entertainer being someone who occupies you agreeably.

It is obviously a matter of personal opinion as to whether one, as an individual, is entertained by anyone or anything, but in many people's opinion, The Beatles were the best at what they did - ie entertaining.

Unfortunately, in their heyday, there were too many people willing to bestow upon them greater influences than that. Peter Mullen seems to have fallen into this trap too.

When George Harrison died, I was naturally saddened at the death of another human being who had brought me a great deal of pleasure during a particular period in my life.

Peter's 'touchy-feely', which was demonstrated in the media last week, was not the fault of The Beatles, dead or alive, but merely an example of a particular malaise present in society today. - Ken Russell, Thornaby.

I MUST respond to Peter Mullen's malicious diatribe on The Beatles. He asserts that 'so many of their songs were full of dejection and a self-regarding despair' and 'the sheer misery of Hey Jude makes you want to do away with yourself'.

It is a fact that people listen to a new record and, if they like what they hear, they go out and buy it. Hey Jude was The Beatles' most successful single. It sold more than five million copies worldwide in six months; 7,500,000 in four years. I rest my case.

Come on Rector, lighten up. - Neil Shearer, Darlington.

THE weekly outpouring of ill-considered bile which passes for comment in Peter Mullen's column reached a new low this week.

Not speaking ill of the dead is one Christian principle Mr Mullen does not espouse. Moderation in language and thought are clearly others.

I am sure that most of your readers will find the adjectives 'rancid, destructive and negative' far more applicable to Mr Mullen's offerings than those of The Beatles.

It is very sad when someone can respond only with spite, to the acknowledged joy which their music brought to millions. Joy which will endure when Mr Mullen's own efforts are happily forgotten. - M Clark, Stockton-on-Tees.

PETER Mullen comes in for some stick, and his latest treatise on The Beatles will arouse a lot of comment.

George Harrison, the religious one, did finance the film The Life of Brian, which was a parody on the life of Jesus.

Would John Cleese & Co do a skit on the life of Mohammed? I doubt it. They are not that brave.

Peter Mullen attracts a lot of flak, but that's the sign of a good writer.

I love the Peter Mullens and Harry Meads of this world. They keep freedom of speech alive. Without guys like these, the world would become a brutal dictatorship. - Jim Ross, Rowlands Gill.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

NO doubt Parliamentary sleaze watchdog Elizabeth Filkin was a thorn in the flabby flesh of MPs. They have never liked people peering into their troughs, preferring to tell us what to do, while making other rules to suit themselves.

That is why politicians are treated with such contempt by those who have to earn a proper living.

There is nothing new in the Commons' humiliation of Mrs Filkin. For a quarter of a century, politicians have resisted pressure to bring them into line with the rest of Britain. They do this by claiming sovereignty of Parliament, the ancient right allowing members to be quite literally a law unto themselves.

They are their own judge and jury, prosecution and defence, and change rules when it suits them.

The removal of Mrs Filkin and the behaviour of our MPs is contemptuous, self-serving, and betrays the dwindling band in the country who bothered to vote.

Our honourable friends have the morality of the farmyard, the honesty of the shyster and the principles of, well, politicians. These are the people to whom we entrust the delicate fabric of democracy and leadership of our nation. God help us. - DT Murray, Coxhoe, Durham.

CHARITY HELPINE

FOR many people with cancer, the festive season is a time to concentrate on all the good things in life. People enjoy the company of those they love, and many will be able to take a break from treatment.

But for others, Christmas can be a dark and difficult time. This is where CancerBACUP comes in. This is the leading national charity offering help and emotional support through its freephone helpline, where all calls are answered by experienced cancer nurses.

This year, CancerBACUP's phone lines will be open between Christmas and New Year to offer advice and reassurance to callers. The freephone number to call is 0808 800 1234.

Although the CancerBACUP phone service will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, there is another way to get help if you have Internet access.

The charity's website can be found at www.cancerbacup.org.uk and is full of useful information and advice. Please do get in touch if you would like some support or advice. - Sheila Hancock, Patron, CancerBACUP.