Pasmore's pavilion

WE are appalled to read that moves are afoot to demolish the artist Victor Pasmore's crowning achievement, the Apollo Pavilion, the centrepiece of Peterlee new town, County Durham (Echo, July 16).

This extraordinary mixture of sculpture and architecture represents one of the most distinguished examples of modernist design in Britain. It also perfectly encapsulates the vision and idealism behind the best of the post-war new towns.

Easington District Council should surely be restoring the Pavilion to its pristine glory and telling the people of Peterlee why the work of the Peterlee Development Corporation in the 1950s and 1960s represents such a glorious episode in their history. - Paul Usherwood and Catherine Morris, Public Monuments and Sculpture Association, University of Northumbria at Newcastle.

JUSTICE FOR MINERS

THREE years ago I was diagnosed as having bronchial emphysema. In April, I was offered a small settlement which I accepted due to the fact that claims may take up to 15 years to reach conclusion.

I understand Ben Aitken's frustration over his claim for compensation (Echo, Aug 1). It is a disgrace that the DTI is still dragging its feet over former miners' claims.

Many miners have died awaiting results of their claims and no doubt there will be many more. By the time the DTI clears the backlog it will have more money in the coffers than there are miners to pay.

The most disturbing claims will be those by dependants pursuing claims by reason of post mortems which is sad, to say the least. - Jack Amos, Willington.

MARJORIE EVANS

I WAS amazed and horrified to read that headmistress Marjorie Evans, of many years' experience, was taken to court for chastising a very disruptive pupil who had attacked her (Echo, July 29).

This is the trouble with our present day society where many children feel free to flout any figure of authority from parents to policemen.

No one wishes to see children physically punished for minor offences, but it seems to me that do-gooders have simply exacerbated the evils they hoped to prevent.

How many of these people have regular day-to-day contact with children, even with those who are fairly amenable?

Some discipline is needed in any society and though chastisement is not the only answer there may occasionally come a time when it is necessary.

If juveniles are permitted or even encouraged to become so self-centred, what will happen in the future? Already too many youngsters think only of their rights, but what about their responsibilities?

People who keep pets or those who watch animal programmes on TV are aware that all mammals teach their young to follow the rules of their kind, perhaps with a little nip or a light cuff. They would not harm their offspring, but they monitor their behaviour for their good.

Unless we find some means of instilling reasonable behaviour on our young we are heading for anarchy when life will become increasingly hazardous for the older and more feeble members of society. - CR Clayton, Darlington.

THE case of Marjorie Evans makes one wonder which planet this magistrate comes from. Let her try a week teaching some of these children then let's see what her reaction would be.

Mrs Evans taught for 35 years and knew how some of these children can give you grief. No wonder for a few seconds she lost control. She wants a medal. Good luck to her in the future. - A Douthwaite, Bishop Auckland.

SARAH PAYNE

FOLLOWING the appalling murder of little Sarah Payne, I believe that it is about time paedophiles and murderers were no longer treated like people caught on double yellow lines and were sentenced to death.

Advances in DNA and other investigative methods now make identification of criminals a lot more certain.

I am more concerned with the victims than the offenders and anyway, a dead paedophile cannot re-offend and ruin even more peoples' lives. - T Agnew, Darlington.

IF WE looked into the background of the killer of Sarah Payne and other paedophiles we would find a history of obsession with corrupt books, films and videos and internet images.

The Government and other potential censors who allow this filth to be multiplied and made available have a lot to answer for.

As the removal of all censorship continues and perversions are openly promoted, we can only expect to see more of these sex crimes committed.

The wisdom of the Bible declares: "Where there is no vision, the people perish and... as a man sows, so will he also reap." - W Mawston, County Durham.

PRISONER RELEASES

To adoring cheers from their supporters the evil terrorists are now free men. They show no remorse for their victims. Will they never commit any more crimes, including murder? Only the future will tell, but if they do what will happen? Will they be taken into the front door of the Maze Prison and then let out of the back?

In America where most of the finances for terrorism come, there are many states where the death penalty for murder is the inevitable punishment. It is ironic that if they had taken a life in that country, that country would have taken theirs as punishment.

The cheers and gratitude of the residents of that troubled country should go to the victims whose lives have been given for peace. They are the real heroes and heroines. - E Reynolds, Wheatley Hill.

CAULIFLOWERS

I WAS amused when I read the story of the cauliflower that had been bred especially for its colour (Echo, July 18), it sounded so mysteriously clever and new, but it's not.

I used to do the same thing around 25 years ago when I used to cook for my children coming in from school. No such thing as boring white potatoes, cauliflowers, turnips, swedes and other vegetables in our house. Oh no, only red, pink, blue, purple, green and bright yellow adorned our dinner plates, thanks to the little bottles of food colouring.

Needless to say, it brought much fun and laughter as we shared the meal together.

This was always just a treat for special occasions or if I wanted to get them to eat something nutritional that they weren't keen on. You don't want to know about my escapades with cakes, biscuits, custards etc.

The kids could not wait to get home from school to see what I'd cooked up for their delight.

I tell you, Jamie Oliver had nothing on me. Delia Smith was too serious and boring. Happy days. - Joan Mason, Durham.

KILLINGHALL ARMS

I AM writing about an article (Echo, July 15) saying that the Killinghall Arms at Middleton St George had been refused a public entertainments licence.

I wasn't at all surprised because Middleton St George has gone from what was a lively place in its own way to what I can only describe as a gloom tomb.

The character of our village has gone. In the centre of the village we have two pubs, the Killinghall Arms is one.

Since December, 1999 it has really picked up and become very popular. Villagers go to have a drink, to socialise and, if they are lucky, to have some entertainment, but now it looks as if that is being stopped because of pathetic complaints by a few.

I can't see the problem with the Killinghall Arms being allowed a public entertainments licence. What's wrong with people enjoying themselves? It's not commiting a crime to sing along with a karaoke machine. It's called enjoyment for people over 18.

I live near our community centre. When local bands practise during the day and when there are dances and discos no one complains, even though they can go on until midnight. So why are a few complaining about the Killinghall Arms having entertainment?

The people who put in the complaints about the Killinghall Arms must live on another planet. They want beaming back up to wherever they came from . - Topsy Swain, Middleton St George.