Hear all Sides

I AM concerned at the presentation of your report about Neil Hebblethwaite, the consultant gynaecologist at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, who has been dismissed for having an affair with a patient (Echo, Oct 4).

The association you make with the Richard Neale affair is blatantly unfair to Mr Hebblethwaite, and he is suffering from this association - particularly in the way it was made in the misleading and bizarre headlines, taken from old newspapers, at the foot of the first two columns on the front page. I believe that the two circumstances are quite different and should be reported separately. Clearly there are some common factors but not such as to warrant this linkage and joint condemnation.

Neil Hebblethwaite is a fine, hard-working professional colleague and there has never been any criticism of his clinical competence.

The headline "'Health bosses should resign' after gynaecologist sacked for affair" is clearly ludicrous although I have some sympathy with the current Northallerton Health Trust in making their decision in light of the alleged mistakes of their predecessors.

I appreciate that this letter might be construed as an example of the medical profession closing ranks, but this is not the case as I think any fair-minded person will agree with me. - Dr Joe Hampson, Honorary Consultant Physician, Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.

SWIMMING

I AM the grandfather of Nicola Jackson, the swimmer you featured in discussion about sporting facilities (Echo, Sept 28).

While I agree 100 per cent about the need for 50-metre pools and a more co-ordinated approach to the sport, I think the debate could be widened.

Nicola travels a round trip of 60 miles to Consett three times a week to a pool which, to put it politely, is past its best. She goes there, not for the facilities but for the expertise of the coach, David McNulty. Nicola, for all her talent, would not be where she is today without the expertise of her coaches, Mr McNulty and Dennis Parker. Fifty-metre pools on their own do not make champions.

The chance of any youngster getting to the top in swimming is a lottery. They need the facilities to train but most of all they need parents willing to sacrifice a large part of their lives and income to make it happen.

If the use of the example of Nicola highlights the problems faced nationally, if it makes the national bodies and the Government think, or better still act, I will be happy. In the meantime coaches everywhere, do not despair. You are doing a great job in far from ideal conditions and I and most of the parents appreciate your efforts. - John Simpson, Scarborough.

ENVIRONMENT

THE importance of Harry Mead's comments (Echo, Oct 4) should not be under-estimated. We men and women, having the conceit to label ourselves as the most intelligent species on earth, are destroying everything left to us by nature.

As we spread and pollute, it is always someone else or something else to blame for our irresponsible deeds. Land, sea, river, air and wildlife, all are treated with disregard in the name of profit. Suppliers blame consumers and vice versa. Only the best farmland and countryside used for new housing projects, robbing wildlife of a chance to survive.

It appears that the destiny of all living things is governed by our lack of nous in all decision, while our vanity shows no bounds. - Albert Curle, Ferryhill.

THE LOTTERY

WHEN the new lottery starts is it not time for a clause to be put in that money is not just for arts and sports facilities? What do other people think? We all have a little flutter on the lottery.

Maybe now cancer research and other diseases, and St Dunstan's and other services homes who care for young men who gave their today 50 years ago for today's young people to have the freedom to need sports stadiums. - M Johnson, Bedale.

SPORTS INJURIES

AS a practising sports therapist I was alarmed to read (Echo, Oct 3) that athletes are suffering from an excess of frozen peas.

Anyone who has an injury should apply ice or even frozen peas, wrapped in a plastic bag and towel prior to putting it on the injured part. If this is done within the first 20 minutes of the injury, damage caused can be significantly limited and there should not be any frostbite as a result of the treatment.

Proper treatment and correct rehabilitation can get the injured person back to fitness quickly and safely. - Sue Hammler, MHFS, Sports Therapist, Darlington.

AIRCRAFT

I READ with great interest about the Few in the Battle of Britain article (Echo, Sept 16). I was one of very many, but not a flyer, instead a mechanic (corporal) ground crew.

To my astonishment the plane in the photograph was one that I worked on myself at North Weald Drome during the battle.

The squadron insignia ZD-B was 222 Squadron A Flight. I was in the opposite 111 Squadron stationed at North Weald and when our pilots needed rest periods they were sent to Drem (North Berwick) and we remained at North Weald.

Then 222 Squadron aircraft took their places and we continued doing the fitting for them until our own 111 Squadron returned.

So this was a surprise as out of all the thousands of Spitfires this particular photo was picked, a chance in a thousand which brought back many memories. - DJ Robertson, Spennymoor.

TELEVISION

I AGREE with Peter Mullen's criticism of the Channel 4 programme Big Brother (Echo, Oct 3). It was all rather silly and I lost interest after just one episode. However, I do have to correct Mr Mullen on one point. I am afraid he is mistaken when he says the BBC1 controller is a bloke. For the first time ever, the corporation has appointed a lady controller and her name is Lorraine Hegglesey. - LD Wilson, Guisborough.

HOW wise are the television directors? ITV News goes from 10pm to 11pm and now the BBC News will be at 10pm, instead of 9pm so ITV will go back to 10pm, so we have both at 10pm.

How ridiculous. Why don't they come to an arrangement which would suit the viewers who do not seem to have been consulted? The sensible things would be to have the news on one channel at 9.30-10.30pm and the other to take over at 10.30pm. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.