04/01/06

It was factual enough but made no mention of a matter that concerns me that, when an ordinary shirt is worn, many people, including television interviewers, are quite scruffy about the neck.

I've taken this up with the BBC and fortunately they have given me the assurance I asked for - that "television journalists are required to wear a tie when reading the news". Hurrah for that at least.

Some tie-less people are reasonably smart, but others need a good starching of their shirt collars to prevent that awful 'rucking up' look.

I admit I'm old fashioned but, at 93, could I be otherwise as I see the world changing around me? - Wilk Hume, Bishop Auckland.

BATTLEFIELDS

I AM the local agent for the War Research Society which was founded more than 30 years ago by serving police officers and ex-servicemen.

The society supports a number of causes, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Normandy Widows and Veterans.

The society runs coach trips to the First and Second World War battlefields, cemeteries and historic sites of northern Europe.

In 2006 a selection of the places to be visited include Ypres and the Somme, Normandy, Arnhem, Reichswald, Rheinberg, St Nazaire, Ardennes and the Dambuster Raid.

All trips have an experienced guide and include conducted tours of the battlefields and visits to requested cemeteries.

I would welcome inquiries and ask for a medium sized stamped addressed envelope so that literature with tour dates, cost etc can be forwarded. - A King, 14 Silverknowes Terrace, Davidsons Mains, Edinburgh, EH4 5HN.

EUROPE

NEIL Herron and Jim Tague are completely and utterly wrong (HAS, Dec 22). Flying the EU flag over the Wear Valley council offices in Crook is not and never has been an "advertisement", any more than flying the cross of St George is an advertisement or an attempt to persuade people to support an English parliament.

Wear Valley council members voted overwhelmingly to restore the EU flag which, until a few weeks previously, had flown in front of the civic centre for the past eight years without a single complaint.

Not one member spoke against the EU flag being flown and no-one voted against (two or three abstained). Now we have all our three flags flying: the UK Union flag, the cross of St George, and the EU stars. I am proud of all three.

Anti-EU campaigners Herron and Tague accuse us of not representing the views of the people. This is nonsense. In recent general elections, over 90 per cent of the people have voted for parties committed to remaining in the EU, including Mr Tague's own Tory party. - Councillor Chris Foote-Wood, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Wear Valley District Council.

FURTHER to Dr Cooper's odds of 400-1 (HAS, Dec 26) that two councillors from Wear Valley District Council are to be represented on the EU Committee of the Regions, might I ask for a stewards' inquiry? All bets off until WVDC present the full course conditions.

When the council stated that two councillors had been elected to the EU committee (Echo, Dec 16), I checked with Brussels and was told they had no knowledge of the nominations.

Since the North East Assembly nominates individuals, it would have issued a press release - but there was nothing on its website.

Is Balderdash and Piffle running at Sedgefield tomorrow? - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

HOME FROM HOME

I AM residing in Church View Residential Home. It is run by Mrs Barbara Barker and a wonderful team of carers. They all call us by our first names. They are all a lovely lot.

Our every need is catered for. The wheelchair residents are well looked after. We get regular baths and the hairdresser comes every week.

If anyone has any qualms about putting their loved ones in a home, don't worry, be happy for them. If all the homes are run like this one then there is no need to worry.

Go to the nearest home but please visit as much as you can and please take the residents out now and again. We have a wonderful old dear in here (99 years old) and she would love to go out with her visitors.

We have had a wonderful time over Christmas. They pulled out all the stops to make sure we had a lovely Christmas.

This goes on day after day. I cannot praise them enough. I am 83 in January and I could not be happier.

Thanks to all of them here, I am the happiest woman in the world.Thank you Barbara and your wonderful team. - Mrs F Boast, Church View Residential Home, South Church, Bishop Auckland.

DAILY BREAD

WHILE shopping in Morrisons supermarket this week and being dazzled by all the 'bargains', 'half price' and 'two for the price of one' offers, I noticed that the price of a small brown loaf had gone up by 3p and will, doubtless, remain there after all the Christmas offers have been withdrawn. - AE Carr, Darlington.

HUNTING

SENIOR police officers have called for a strengthening of the law banning hunting with dogs.

The solution is very simple: a gathering of people on horses following a pack of hounds should be made against the law.

I was under the impression that incitement to break the law was an offence.

The people on the horses are the upper crust of rural Britain and they are steeped in cruelty to wild animals and birds.

What I find more depressing is the large numbers of country people who pander to these so-called elite of the countryside.

So I say to the police, get Parliament to make the ban foolproof to enable you to do the job you would like to do and get these law breakers into court. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

DARREN'S PLEA

I WAS delighted to support Silentnight Beds as they revealed the results of a poll which voted me the person whom British women would like to snuggle up to on the longest night of the year.

However, I am also keen, along with Silentnight and Shelter, to draw attention to the fact that there are many homeless people - particularly children - who did not have the luxury of a bed during the festive season. Indeed, it's shocking that, in the 21st century, nearly 128,000 children in Britain woke up homeless on Christmas Day.

Living in temporary accommodation robs children of security, health and a fair chance in life. The Government has said that building more social rented housing is a priority.

For these children it can't come soon enough.

Shelter is calling on the Government to commit to building an extra 20,000 social rented homes a year to help lift thousands of children out of homelessness and bad housing.

For further information on Shelter visit www.shelter.org.uk or telephone 0845 458 4590. - Darren Gough, cricketer.