23/07/2005

After a vote on whether to transfer Sedgefield Borough Council's housing stock into the private sector (Echo, July 21), 73 per cent of the people who were entitled to vote did so and a result of 60/40 against the transfer was produced showing that in our area the democratic process still prevails.

Tony Blair MP, at Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons, when asked about the result of the vote stated that he disagreed with the result which indicates that Tony Blair's idea of democracy and that of the people who voted him into office differs greatly.

It would seem that democracy is only seen to work when something thought up by him or his team is agreed with.

Any comments from Tony Blair MP should be given short shrift as the man is that far out of touch with the people of the Sedgefield area, those he's supposed to represent, that he might as well live on another planet. - Peter Dolan, Newton Aycliffe

PLANE MYSTERY

I WAS interested in H Iddisons' letter (HAS, July 14) regarding the aerodrome at Greatham. During the early part of the war my husband was extending the runway and a plane coming in overshot the area and knocked him from his machine.

As it was wartime I never heard what type of plane it was, I only heard it was a Belgian flyer being taught.

My son thinks it was a Hudson Lockheed. The government then sent my husband and fellow workers to Plymouth to the Hemerdon Mines near Sparkwell and we heard no more. Hope this may be of interest. - M Gibson, Darlington

POVERTY

THE majority of people know the campaign to "Make Poverty History" is more concerned with selling pop records than helping Africans to achieve a decent standard of living.

Shortly after the concert in London an observer of the pop culture reported on the radio that the principal performers were already seeing their music climb up the charts.

One female entertainer, who was booed off the stage, had her latest single selling very well and was expecting it to reach the number one spot.

What we have recently witnessed was a meeting of old rock and rollers who are nearing their final sell-by date and UK politicians who are attending meetings prior to a long holiday before their party conferences. Both have one thing in common: getting the timing right.

Poverty cannot be made history because it is like a disease, which, when it is eradicated in one area it surfaces in another. Curing diseases requires well-constructed dwellings, clean drinking water, modern sanitation, and an educational system equipped for the modern world and an economic structure to support any development.

This can only be achieved through a population that is static and not nomadic. In Africa, because of the tribal system, a large part of the population still follows the nomadic tradition.

Only when we understand that the continent of Africa consists of many nations with diverse tribes and customs instead of imagining it as one country with one ethnic stock will we be able to give the assistance the continent requires for Africans to fulfil their ambitions. - Thomas Conlon, Spennymoor

PRIVATE CLOUGHTON

DURING the war a young soldier was serving with my late husband Tom, in the 8th Battalion DLI.

They were in France, and Private Cloughton gave Tom a rosary and crucifix to keep safe for him, although he was not of the same faith. Maybe he thought, Tom being a driving instructor, would have more chance of survival.

My husband returned safe but wounded, with the Dunkirk evacuation. I still have the rosary and would love to give it to anyone who believes it belongs to this man, or his family. His home was in Sunderland.

My grandson has found the name and the battalion on the computer. It states he was killed in Tunisia in 1943, aged 24 years.

I wonder, could this be the same man? - Mrs Vera Jackson, Darlington

WOMEN BISHOPS

I CAN'T agree with Jane Gore-Booth's views on women bishops (Echo, July 19). It is undeniable that Jesus' closest followers were all men but it couldn't have been otherwise in the culture of his day. Today things are very different and it would be inconceivable that some of his disciples would not be women.

I would therefore pose some questions: Is it believable that God should exclude half of His creation from serving Him as priests and bishops?

If Jesus had been born in Woking in 1968 (as has been asked) would he have chosen only men as his disciples?

If the answer to these questions is yes then we must ask why. I suspect that it would be very difficult to provide answers. Is there something in a woman's temperament that renders her unsuitable for these offices?; does Christianity regard women as inferior to men and incapable of providing leadership?; do we still cling to the Old Testament view that there is something inherently unclean about women?

I cannot believe that anyone thinks that any of these views are tenable yet the opposition to ordaining women is so strong that some people are prepared to set up an independent province or even leave the Church of England altogether.

I recognise that for some Anglicans union with Rome is the all-important issue, but the Vatican doesn't admit the orders of any of our clergy, not even deacons; and we have signed a formal covenant with the Methodist Church that can never come into operation as long as we exclude women from parts of our ministry. - Peter W Elliott (Rev), Stockton-on-Tees

PLEA FOR RUNNERS

IF you missed out in the ballot for the Great North Run 2005, there is still a chance to secure a coveted place in this highly prestigious race.

Vitalise, the national charity that provides breaks for disabled people and carers, still has a few places left in its team and is calling for runners from your area to take part in the world's largest half-marathon on Sunday, September 18 in Newcastle.

Vitalise estimates that one in three disabled people will not have a break away this year due to financial constraints. By running the Great North Run for us, you can help provide a much-needed week's break for a disabled person this summer at one of our five accessible centres across the UK.

Runners will receive a free limited edition Vitalise running vest, a full sponsorship pack and support needed to raise the £300 sponsorship fee.

If you are interested in running contact me as soon as possible on 0845 345 1972 or e-mail events@vitalise.org.uk - Larraine Bristow, Events Co-ordinator, Vitalise, 12 City Forum, 250 City Road, London, EC1V 8AF or events@vitalise.org.uk

CAMILLA'S HAT

WHAT a sad person Mrs A Jeffcutt must be to criticise the Duchess of Cornwall's hat at the VE Day celebrations (HAS, July 16).

People had been killed by a terrorist and all she could find to moan about was a hat.

I'm sure no statement was meant by Camilla. She was there to honour the people who died and those who survived. - M Dulling, Shildon