Hear all Sides

NOW that the fog of spin is lifting, a true account of what led to the death of an innocent man at the hands of the police begins to emerge.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the sanitised version of events put out by the police for public consumption leaves much to be desired.

Witness statements coupled with CCTV footage suggests a completely different picture of events.

The apparent contradictions are causing widespread concern and doubts as to the validity of the official version of events. It even appears possible that the unfortunate victim was not aware of being followed or targeted until moments before being killed.

This we will never know. The so-called independent investigation carried out by the police is not enough.

This whole affair cried out for a truly independent public inquiry with no holds barred. It is a moral duty of every MP at Westminster to ensure that an early inquiry takes place and that those responsible for this tragic blunder are brought to book.

The pathetic attempt to buy off further condemnation with £15,000 compensation adds insult to injury. - AS Holmes, Ferryhill.

MO MOWLAM

DURING the 1987 General Election campaign, I went to hear Mo Mowlam speak at the United Reformed Church Hall in Station Road, Redcar.

The meeting was well attended with Ms Mowlam making a good impression on voters.

She did a good job of talking up her party and was confident that the electorate would return a Labour government.

It was not to be, of course, as that was the year of Margaret Thatcher's third successive triumph.

Ms Mowlam won Redcar for Labour and, at the time, it did not seem possible that one day she would express disillusionment with her own party's way of government. - LD Wilson, Guisborough.

ASYLUM SEEKERS

THIS is my view about providing more housing in the North-East for asylum seekers - I think it is disgraceful.

There is already a housing shortage for people who are born in this area.

Some of my family members are trying for houses and can't get one, so why should they and others like them have to take a back seat for asylum seekers?

Come on, fair's fair. How would they like us to go to their country and take their houses? - P Green, Bearpark, Durham.

BUS WOES

DO Arriva really know what they are doing?

My husband and I use their transport all the time and find the £3.30 all-day tickets wonderful. But can anyone tell me why there has been such a change in the times and re-routing of buses?.

We are told it is to the advantage of the consumer. So can anyone in Arriva tell me why the 76 service to Barnard Castle on a Sunday leaves Newton Aycliffe at 9.29 to arrive in Darlington 9.58, but the Barnard Castle bus number 75 leaves at 9.54? Where is the sense in this? - Anne Harland, Newton Aycliffe.

HANGING ON

I HAVE received complaints about the time and extra cost of waiting to speak to customer care officers while going through a variety of options within the automated dialling system.

I have brought this matter up at Sedgefield Borough Council meetings where I have asked for waiting times to be reduced.

It must be frustrating for the elderly, who may go through options one, two, three and four, only to enter into a chain of more options. Automated dialling is used by most public services. I, like most, would prefer the old-fashioned telephone exchange and to hear the human and courteous voice of the operator.

I have recently taken up complaints about the pre-recorded holiday telephone messages, which I was informed by BT originate from the United States. The Oftel number is 0845 714 5000 9am-6pm Monday to Friday for anyone who wants to complain about this practice. - Councillor Ben Ord, Liberal Democrat, Sedgefield Borough Council.

CYCLE TRACKS

HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds have been spent on cycle tracks in and across Darlington. The latest road to be desecrated is Coniscliffe Road.

Can anyone explain why, in addition to road markings, there are 12 signposts indicating the start, continuation and end of this cycle track - a length of no more than 400 yards.

I understand the need to encourage people to cycle, but what makes it ludicrous is that the cyclists continue to cycle on the pavements. - R Elliott, Gainford.

PUPPY LOVE

IN my letter regarding Becky the springer spaniel and her 13 puppies, (HAS, Jul 15) I said hopefully the pups' tails should remain intact.

Kevin Heslop, of Crook, seems to believe docking is acceptable, but I strongly disagree.

Many springers have enormously dense hair, especially on their ears and tails, the places which are vulnerable in undergrowth.

When grooming and clipping pet spaniels, the hair blunts my clippers very quickly. It always depends, in my view, on breeding.

Many working spaniels are lighter in bone and coat, not a lot of feather where it matters.

Show spaniels have abundant feather. There must be a lesson there somewhere.

If a dog injures its tail beyond repair, amputate by all means, but under anaesthetic by a qualified vet and definitely not at a few days old with a pair of scissors with no pain relief. - M Embling, Crook.

TRAVELLERS

RE: village outrage at a travellers' gathering (Echo, Aug 23). I am outraged that the residents of the area, Eldon Lane/Close House, could be so mealy-mouthed and hypocritical.

I have lived and worked in this locality for some 18 years as a property owner and landlady.

We have just spent the last five weeks clearing the yard of an empty vandalised house; the fly-tipped rubbish included broken toys, household waste and the usual syringes/needles.

We no longer can freely use the tip, we have to apply for permits to dispose of other people's filth.

Myself and my son were working in Close House on August 21 as all the travellers were arriving. They were organised, well behaved and a delight to watch.

None of our properties were at risk from these people. We fear the indigenous population who have been destroying Eldon Lane for some years. - Chris Ramshaw, Bishop Auckland.

FAMILY TREE

I AM researching my family tree and am seeking information regarding the following people all born in the Durham area.

Mary Ann Allison b.1870, her daughter Jemima Wilson, her children Alice, Jemima, Polly, Sammy, Charlie, Paddy or Johnson.

Also, Mary Ann's parents and family, Robert Allison or Jemima Wharton or Worton. Robert Allison's brothers and sisters, Mary Ann's brothers and sisters, Alice, Ada, Richard, Robert and Jane, all born in St Giles, Durham, or possibly Sunderland.

Please call or leave a message for me to return your call on (01794) 521280 or mobile 0783 7636865. - Sharon Blake (Mary Ann Allison is my great grandmother), Romsey, Hampshire.