Hear All Sides

RAGWORT

IT'S that time of year again! I'm sure your readers can't have failed to notice the deadly yellow flower ragwort that at this time of year seems to be everywhere. Occasionally, as I travel about the countryside I see contractors moving the plant from roadsides and other public places. Also, I have been heartened recently by the coverage given to the "Root Out Ragwort" campaign by the British Horse Society, which is supported by a number of charities and ourselves at the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC).

But there's still too much ragwort about and now NEWC wants to take further action. With the support of a Government minister, we are bringing together some leading experts at an autumn seminar.

We still want to hear from anyone responsible for land management who may wish to attend.

Our livestock industry has had more than its fair share of problems so far this year. Deaths from ragwort poisoning can be prevented and just because the "Root Out Ragwort" week has ended, NEWC does not want to see the problem forgotten about until next summer. - Elaine Cannon, Executive Secretary, National Equine Welfare Council.

CLEVELAND POLICE

CLEVELAND used to have one of the most respected police forces in the country. However, respect has to be maintained and no one has apparently conveyed this to the hierarchy at police headquarters.

How can we trust a Chief Constable who insists that his officers under disciplinary investigation should be suspended, whereas the same ruling should not apply to himself?

When Ray Mallon reduced the crime figures, politicians rushed up from London to be seen to be associated with the success. Now that things have become embarrassingly sour, they are conspicuous by their absence and silence, with the exception of MP Dr Ashok Kumar.

When Government organisations are at fault, their leaders are quickly removed but during the Lancet debacle, scapegoats are still being sought. - M Heslop, Billingham.

BANKING

AS a customer of First Direct Bank almost since it began, I was disgusted to read your article (Echo, Aug 8) which told it had conducted a survey into how many mobile phones are used in the bath, on a date, at the cinema, etc.

I can see no use for such information and certainly not for a bank. Even phone companies don't seem to have found it necessary to acquire such knowledge.

The dignity of banking seems to have gone with the wonderful old buildings that inspired a kind of awe. Now we hear of closures and almost non-existent interest rates.

My husband and I between us have been customers of the Midland/HSBC/First Direct for over 100 years. We intend to change when we find a less profligate bank to look after our accounts. - Jean Williams, Catterick Village.

GIRLS' MAGAZINES

MEL Gibson is right to claim that girls are missing out on a whole series of adventures as they used to be available in girls' magazines (Echo, Aug 14).

Such titles as Jackie, Bunty, Mandy and Twinkle gave girls a wonderful opportunity to develop their reading skills and widen their horizons.

It was a sad day when so many titles were dropped and those that continued for a while concentrated on different material. The new fashion for girl/boy relationships featured in all the storylines were so predictable, gone were the adventures of girls on their own solving mysteries, performing acts of heroism, achieving something special, etc. It is not surprising that the new style mini love stores soon failed.

Now, as Ms Gibson points out, there is only a reading diet of pop, make-up tips and pin-ups. Perhaps it is time for publishers to reintroduce good quality reading material in magazine form for a new generation which doesn't remember the originals.

Surely today's girls have broader interests than the pop culture that is all that is being served up to them at present. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

COUNCIL TAX

THE Government's hint at re-valuing houses seems like a way of re-banding property for council tax reasons. Those who were encouraged to buy property to look after their children and their children's futures will no doubt take the brunt of any increases.

If the value of your property has increased since the last valuation in 1993, then good on those people who grafted long hours to earn that benefit.

It does not follow that because your property is now worth more, we suddenly have more disposable income to give to local authorities, which will in turn see a reduction in central funding from the Government.

Why don't we privatise council services and pay for what we actually use as individuals. If we believe in equality for all, let's all pay an equal amount (within reason) for local services. We could have a referendum and possibly call it the poll tax. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.