ODEON CINEMA

RE your article about fears for the future of the Odeon Cinema in Northgate, Darlington (Echo, Aug 15). I hope it is not yet another landmark to disappear from the town. I have many memories of the Regal, as it used to be called. After the war, when the blackout was over, lots of people rushed to see the Regal lit up. What a sight for sore eyes. Myself and others were chosen to be monitors for the Saturday morning pictures. We had to wear an armband with the letter M on it and we were given a torch, and a block of seats to look after. We had to make sure the boys didn't throw orange peel, etc. If they did, we threw it back. The cleanest block of seats earned a free chocolate bar. There was always a queue at the pictures, but if you were "expecting" the doorman would come for you and take you to a single seat. It meant sometimes you had to leave your other half in the queue, but sometimes, such as at the interval, you could find two seats together.

Darlington won't look like Darlington shortly. Please leave it alone.

Elizabeth Richards, Darlington.

IT will be a sad day if the Odeon Cinema, Northgate, Darlington, closes its doors to the public. But I am all for change, and I am pleased that the developers behind the new Oval shopping mall in the town centre intend to build a new multiplex cinema at the complex (Echo, Aug 15).

Darlington has been crying out for such a cinema for a number of years, and if I wish to go to the cinema to watch a new blockbuster, I have to drive to Teesside Park as the Odeon only has a limited choice of movies. If the Odeon does eventually close down, then I hope that the frontage of the building remains more or less the same, as it is a delightful, long-standing building which has proudly stood in Darlington for decades and one which I have many affectionate popcorn memories of.

Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

CARE HOMES

RE your front page story about evidence of abuse of elderly people at a privately-run care home in County Durham (Echo, Aug 13).

As a family we had very little knowledge about care homes. However, over a year after being in hospital for several weeks where he was very ill to the point we were told resuscitation wasn't an option, on discharge my husband was given a place in The Grange Care Home, Darlington.

I visit seven days a week so see at first hand the care and attention he receives there.

Most residents are old, ill and vulnerable and all have different needs. The staff in this care home do a very difficult job and still manage to keep smiles on their faces.

We hear so much about the adverse effects in care homes, so please print this and perhaps relatives can be reassured that there are excellent care homes out there.

P Richardson, Darlington.