SNOW GO:JUST what has gone wrong with this country?

As soon as there is a little bit of snow everything stops, I see people saying the roads are blocked yet one can still see the tarmac.

Years ago we got much more snow yet cars kept on the move. In those days we had snow ploughs, but councils use gritters that are no good in the snow.

In the Seventies, snowdrifts were up to the top of telegraph poles, yet life went on. Now people shout at three inches. What will they do if things are like they were in 1979 when children were unable to get home for up to four days?

My home became a B&B because of one foot of snow. Now it becomes a B&B when we get a few inches - all because the council fails to do their job plus a lot of people, not all people, cannot drive in snow. - Name and address supplied.

SIKHS

I HAVE wanted to write to express my feelings for a long time.

Why are people so ignorant? Sikhs are the only people who wear turbans, only a very small minority of Muslims in Afghanistan wear turbans, but not like us.

We fought in both wars. In fact, 100,000 Sikhs died in those wars.

We are not terrorists. Why is it people think we did those attacks in London, where Muslims have their hair cut and mix with other people?

We work hard, pay taxes and we were the first people to be asked to come to the UK.

Just because this man called Bin Laden appears on TV, so we become Bin Ladens.

In the town people shout at us and in the shops most people cause bother and shout abuse.

Why can't people in the media and TV do something? People from Eastern European countries mix and don't work and get everything free.

Sikhs have been living in the USA for over 100 years. They have been persecuted, which is not fair.

Somebody else does something wrong and someone else has to pay for it. - Name and address supplied.

DURHAM BYPASS

I AM writing to express my disbelief at the council's plans to build a bypass north of Durham.

The proposal does not appear to make any sense as it won't take traffic away from the city centre.

In both the council's proposed routes, the traffic coming from the east bypasses the three roundabouts on the A690 that run from Gilesgate to the train station.

However, the route then deposits that traffic either at the county hall roundabout or the roundabout at the western end of the Milburngate Bridge. Both roundabouts are already heavily congested at peak times.

The road will also most likely end up putting more traffic into the already congested city centre.

There is a whole variety of alternative ways of tackling urban roads congestion, eg safe routes to schools, rush hour car permits, road tolls, cycle routes, encouraging car sharing, improved bus services etc.

A Department of Transport report has shown that these measures can reduce peak time traffic by 21 per cent. Where is the sense in choosing a solution that has been proved not to work when there are so many things we can do to reduce traffic?

I have cycled through the valley on weekday evenings and found it full of local residents walking, jogging, cycling and fishing. The road would be a terrible blight in this unspoiled rural environment.

The council must think again before it is too late. - Simon Tingle, Durham.

FESTIVE GERMANS

I HAVE just returned from a business trip to Potsdam in Germany, and I was amazed at how the German people celebrate Christmas and the birth of our Lord. They put us Brits to shame.

In the centre of this historical city, the streets were littered with festive decorations and beautiful Christmas markets. I spent a whole day wandering around the streets drinking warm wine, mesmerised by the festive cheer amongst shoppers and stall holders.

How different it is to the United Kingdom.

As usual, I will be celebrating the birth of our Lord with the odd alcoholic tipple, and by singing joyous hymns at Christmas Mass in my baritone voice.

Merry Christmas all, and do not let the Labour do gooders stop you from enjoying the Christian festivities.- Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

Shildon CENTRE

DURHAM County Council certainly faces a major challenge in balancing its budget, but the future funding of the Shildon Centre needs to be seen within a wider context (Echo, Nov 15).

The council originally opened the centre as an emergency response to the closure of the wagon works 20 years ago. The centre fulfilled its original role and went on to become a wider community resource.

Since then, the ways and means of funding community facilities have changed. Much more emphasis is now placed on local community initiatives and self funding, as opposed to local authority finances.

There are sources of money available which community groups can access for these types of facility which local authorities can't.

It is in this light that the council is reviewing its role in the long term future of the centre.

Although decisions have yet to be taken, I have been assured that if funding is withdrawn from the centre, the council would spend the next 18 months working with the staff and volunteers to secure the centre's long term future and put it onto a firmer financial footing. - Councillor Vernon Chapman, County Councillor for Shildon West.

SING UP

ARE there any readers who enjoy singing and would like to raise money for a good cause this festive season?

If so, we at Heart Research UK need you. We are on the lookout for people to take part in our nationwide Sing for Your Heart campaign to organise a singing event in the run up to Christmas (December 8 to 15).

You can help Heart Research UK fund pioneering, life-saving medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease and hopefully have some fun at the same time!

Sing karaoke at your Christmas party, carol sing, organise a concert or get sponsored to sing a solo, it's up to you. Remember, you don't need to be a fantastic singer as long as long as you put your heart into your performance.

We can provide you with all the resources you need to organise your Sing for Your Heart event including posters, stickers, song sheets and guidelines. We can also help to promote your event.

Taking part in Sing for Your Heart is a great way to spread the Christmas spirit, raise the profile of your company, group or school and help us in our fight against heart disease. So have a heart and get singing.

To request a Sing for Your Heart fundraising pack please contact Heart Research UK on 0113 234 7474 or email info@heartresearch.org.uk - Hayley Downey, Heart Research, Leeds.