WE are sure that the Aquatic Centre will be a fantastic addition to the city, but we have to say that the opening "ceremony" was a complete let-down.
Not only were there no announcements, i.e. official opening, outside the facilty but also
the girl on the wire was hardly visible and we were almost at the front, the light show was just OK, what on earth were the early spluttering fireworks supposed to be and the final fireworks were fine but didn't last very long.
Considering we stood for at least an hour, getting soaked as well as cold, we felt let down. Your Echo video gave the impression it was a little bit wet – but in truth, it absolutely poured down.
We are sure it was fine for those in the warm inside enjoying the hospitality and grand opening by the officials.
But anyway, good luck and best wishes for this bold iniative.
Eileen and Joe Dunn,
Longmeadows,
East Herrington,
Sunderland

Bit of a damp squib
THE Aquatic Centre opening show was indeed spectacular in its anticlimax – being billed as the best we have ever seen. It turned out to be a bit of a damp squib.
No thank yous for the very brave dancers for their endurance of the freezing wet conditions to give of their best – which was only visible to those at the front of the crowd.
No thank yous to the hundreds of people who turned out to support the event in the pouring rain.
Where was the spokesman from the council to officially declare the new pool open and to thank everyone concerned for their efforts – ah yes, sipping champagne indoors. Maybe it was too cold and wet to come outside?
D Finn,
Richmond Avenue,
Washington

No road signs
I CONGRATULATE the council on bringing to Wearside a magnificent new sporting venue in the shape of our new state-of-the-art Olympic-standard swimming pool. I am sure that in the years ahead it will become as famous as the football stadium it stands next to.
I just hope that people travelling from all over the country, indeed the world, will be able to find it.
After all the ingenuity and hard work that has gone into the planning and construction of the new pool over the past two years or so, I find it difficult to understand how such an obvious necessity as signing has been overlooked. There are no road signs anywhere directing traffic to this venue.
Perhaps someone in the traffic engineers department can explain this oversight, or do they think it can be found by instinct?
Ten out of ten for the pool, 0 out of ten for forward planning.
Water shame

Why we took action
TEACHERS have taken strike action because, as the Centre for Policy Studies reported, pay cannot keep up as mortgages and prices rise. Co-author of the report, Charles Elphickie said, "Pay packets have not kept pace. That is why the Government's claim that we are better off is nonsense."
With the RPI (retail price index) showing the average rate of inflation over the twelve months to March 2008 at 4.1%, and with food, fuel and transport prices rising much faster, the Government's offer of 2.45% this year is an effective pay cut for teachers, on top of the pay cuts suffered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
All teachers have lost out. But those newest to the profession, will suffer most. Young teachers struggle to make ends meet in the face of ever rising housing and transport costs, whilst the Government has allowed the rate of interest on their student loans to double to 4.8%!
However, it is not just teachers who are affected. The average family is having to find an extra £100 a month this year to pay for rising food and fuel costs. Food prices alone are rising at 15.5% a year, six times higher than the official rate. And as the report by the Centre for Policy Studies showed, wages in most parts of the North East are failing to keep up with the cost of living.
At the same time Gordon Brown is trying to impose a 2% pay-freeze – in effect a pay cut – on millions of public sector workers. The pay freeze is another way of making ordinary people pay for the economic crisis that's developing on the back of the "credit crunch". Just like the abolition of the 10p starting rate for income tax that is set to leave over five million of the poorest people worse off.
But there is always enough money to bail out the banks. Some £55billion of taxpayers' money was found to sort out the mess at Northern Rock and now the Bank of England opens up a £50billion credit line for other banks.
There is also plenty of Government cash for the illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – £3.5billion a year (nearly £10million a day!). Yet there is never enough to pay a decent wage to those who teach in our schools and colleges, who help the unemployed or those who keep local government and other public services running.
The strikes, rallies and demonstrations are a statement of intent, but they have to be just the start of the campaign. We have to build on the momentum our action has created and push for further action to stop these pay cuts, including the TUC lobby of Parliament over public sector pay on June 9 (for more info go to: www.tuc.org.uk/publicsector/tuc-14490-f0.cfm).
Tony Dowling,
Membership Secretary, Gateshead NUT

Brides' gowns revisited
IF anyone had walked past the Quayside Exchange on Saturday night, April 19, and looked through the window, they would have assumed a bridal show was there.
On closer inspection they would have noticed the wedding dress styles ranged from late 1980s flounce to the most current in high fashion. The clientele were all enjoying alcoholic beverages and their wasn't a table in sight showing car styles, wedding invitations, cards or confetti.
No, tonight was the creation of two sisters, Jane Niven and Ruth Henderson to raise money for Cancer Research. Everyone had to wear their wedding dress, bridesmaid dress or be in black tie. Drinks, followed by a meal, a band and then DJ, ensured the atmosphere was in keeping with the idea of a wedding. A raffle was held with some fantastic prizes and to date they raised over £1,400.
I congratulate Jane and Ruth for all their hard work and for giving a lot of brides the perfect excuse to wear their beautiful dresses again.
Beverley Edwards

One foot in grave
Ah'm sendin' a letter to the Queen. It goes: YA knar Missus Queen! Ah'm a Mackem from Sunderland, like. Sunderland's motto is Nil Desperandum Auspice Deo, which is Latin for "Never Despair,. Trust God". Well Missus Majesty, God is good even to a wazzuck like me.
Missus Queen! Ah've just found out that Ah'm supposed to be dead. Ah woz sent me funeral expenses in error. Ah knar that Ah've got one foot in the grave, but the other one's got athlete's foot. My friends at the DSS have fallen out with me and are knocking money off me Penshun Credit. Diz your man, the Duke, get Pension Credit, cos tell him not to upset them whee dish out the money cos they pull all the strings. They've got my strings in a knot.
So! God bless you Missus Queen and all whee are dear to you. Your common subject,
Little Billy Craggs, The Town End Farm Clown,
Stanhope

Borderers reunite
THIS year we are mounting a sustained effort to locate previously serving members for the annual reunion of 1st Battalion Border Regiment on May 9. Age is obviously reducing the numbers each year, the youngest now being in their 70s, the oldest in their 90s.
We have one member attending who fought in Afghanistan prior to World War Two. Many were recruited fromthe North East and of course people have migrated since leaving the army.
The informal dinner/dance will be held at the Shepherd's Inn, Carlisle. Tickets cost £16.00 and can be obtained from John Mallinson on 01228 520877.
John Little,
The Knoll,
Oxton,
Wirral,
Cheshire

I RECENTLY was in Ward D41 of The Royal Hospital. I was in for nearly two weeks. I feel compelled to praise Dr O'Connell and all the nursing staff and the domestics for the dedicated care we all received.
The patients who could not feed themselves were fed while the food was still hot and not just fed but comforted at the same time. I feel very fond of the staff that looked after me and want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mrs Marion Findlay,
Fulwell,
Sunderland

I THANK the paramedics and ambulance crew who were brilliant, doctors and nurses, tea ladies and cleaners were very helpful. Nothing was too much bother. This was on Ward B22, both my husband and I were in. Grateful thanks to my daughter Lilian and grandson John for all their help. Thanks to my sisters, nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours for all inquiries and lovely cards. God bless you all.
Mr and Mrs Adamson,
Grindon,
Sunderland

THANK goodness, at last someone is doing something to keep beautiful Hylton Castle from falling down. I think it would be great to use it as a heritage trail and what a lovely setting for a wedding. The Friends of Hylton Dene would certainly get my support.
Irene Calvert