Letters

WHAT joker says we don't need a bus station in Darlington? Do they use the buses?

We live in Barnard Castle and travel on the long distance buses to my daughter's.

We leave Barnard Castle, travel to the High Row, Darlington, then carry our cases down to the old bus station, and wait in the wind and rain until the long distance buses arrive, sometimes late. We have stood for three quarters of an hour or more some days.

Then, we have to do it all over again when we come back.

I am 80-years-old, and crave for a bus station like Middlesbrough's where you can wait in the warm and dry.

Even the old, smelly, dirty bus station was better than what we have now. - Mrs Searle, Barnard Castle.

CHRISTIANITY

IN his bold letter (HAS, Jan 30) Thomas Newton of Shildon highlights a problem that Christians have been too silent about for far too long.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 says: "God's Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling."

Instead of speaking out for what we believe, Christians have tended to keep silent, be politically correct and not give offence. The results are all too clear. As Mr Newton says, many have turned their backs on God and set aside the high moral values that were once the norm in Britain. The philosophy of do as you please has brought about many of the ills we see in society.

As for Mr Newton's reference to Europe. Yes indeed, we should be aware of the prophecies in the book of Revelation. Let us take care, though, not to be dogmatic as to the details of their fulfilment. That will only, be revealed as the events actually occur. All who want to be warned and prepared, however, would most certainly be advised to become familiar with what Jesus Christ said would happen immediately before His return. - EA Moralee, Billingham.

RIGHT TO ROAM

MORE often than not, I am in agreement with much of what Ray Mallon has to say.

However, on the subject of the Right To Roam (Echo Feb 8) we part company. Mr Mallon has fallen into the inevitable trap of the money grabbers, along with their self-interested compensation for everything.

Mr Mallon is a self-confessed "townie" (ie the historical offspring of a country man).

I have walked as many fields of caring farmers as I have those who deliberately plough footpaths to near extinction.

Just like myself, Mr Mallon was born into this world with an inalienable God-given right to walk its surface in freedom. No man born in like manner, or being the temporary custodian of every man's rights, has a moral right to claim otherwise.

Deliberate vandalism requires protection against its effects, by the paid custodians of everyone's rights: namely himself, when back in power.

At the moment, Mr Mallon would appear to blindly accept the values of money for everything - how about the right to breathe? - CS Simons, Bishop Auckland.

PETER MANDELSON

PETER Mandelson should do the honourable thing and stand down as Hartlepool's candidate for Labour at the General Election.

If he does not, he will be handing the seat to the Tories or the Lib Dems.

His statement recently that Arthur Scargill "decimated the coal industry" is wrong.

Nearly 20 years ago, Arthur predicted on national television that the then Tory Government had a hit list to close down over 30 pits.

A few months after Arthur's statement, Peter's Millennium Dome friend Michael Heseltine stood at the despatch box in the House of Commons and announced the closure of 31 pits.

As a socialist, I am sorry to say that Arthur has no chance of winning the seat at Hartlepool.

But the "two" comedians, Mike Elliott and Andrew Spence, have less chance. - JL Thompson, Crook.

CHEFS

WE are an independent television production company and we're trying to find the next up-and-coming star of the kitchen. If you're a chef, good at what you do and have the personality to match, you could be exactly what we're looking for! We want to find the next Jamie Oliver, so...if you're an extrovert, with a passion and most importantly, a talent for cooking, then we would love to here from you.

Simply send us a short VHS copy showing us some of your skills by demonstrating your favourite dish, along with a covering letter outlining your name and contact details. All responses will be considered, but unfortunately tapes cannot be returned. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking and filming! - Dylan Barrington, ACP Television, Crosshands, Coreley, Shropshire SY8 3AR. E-mail: dylanbarrington branch started in the Sun