I WRITE in response to David Armstrong's letter "Tree thinning is a responsible act". I agree with the property developing owner that tree thinning is a responsible act.

The woodland in question is part of the Great North Forest and was planted using taxpayers' money by local schoolchildren. The community forest has now been established for more than 12 years.

Guidelines on woodland management do state that once a woodland has been established for 10 years a thinning programme should be planned and undertaken.

However, the Forestry Commission (FC) guidelines do differ from those suggested by Mr Armstrong who is recommending that 75% (34,500) trees are removed. The FC guidelines state that up to 25% of the tree volume is removed.

The heavy thinning that Mr Armstrong is proposing is very likely to cause significant damage to the wildlife habitats and the remaining trees.

If Mr Armstrong's proposals are allowed to go ahead and he removes 34,500 trees in the "thinning operation", there is then a further 7,000 to be removed for the proposed 20 football pitches which leaves 4,500 trees representing less than 10% of the total planted area.

This is of great interest to the Newbottle residents, 96% of whom oppose Mr Armstrong's scheme for the small historic village of Newbottle.
Alison Raine – Concerned Newbottle Resident

Wildlife will suffer
WITH regard to Russell Foster's remarks on the wildlife in the Newbottle area which is soon to have the trees cut down, the Government, along with the Forestry Commission is now to provide a cash incentive to those councils and landowners to provide and maintain habitat for birds that are now needing protection because of there declining numbers. These include some of the migrant species which I mentioned in my previous letter, red start and spotted flycatchers, to name just two.
Now Mr Foster has been given the OK to cut down the trees, will he be submitting a claim for a share of this "grant" to maintain the trees that are left for the soon-to-disappear wildlife?
I have no doubt that he and his associates will make a claim.
Bird Watcher

Not in this place
WITH regard to the proposed development of football pitches, for the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth Leagues, in Newbottle. I am not against the scheme in principle, but I am vehemently opposed to the chosen location for several reasons.
I don't believe the transport infrastructure in the Newbottle area can cope with the thousands of extra visitors to the area that this development claims it will bring
Bus links to the Newbottle area are poor at best.
The people of Newbottle do not want it
And finally, the destruction of thousands of trees in the Great North Forest that will result from this development cannot be justified
Claims from Durham Estates (the owners of the land) that they had always planned to undertake a tree thinning exercise that would result in 75% of the trees being removed are incredible.
Both the Woodland Trust and Forestry Commission have informed me that best practice for a thinning exercise would only result in, at most, 25-33% of the trees being felled. The Woodland Trust also questioned why such a young forest (the trees are only 15 years old) would need any thinning at all!
Councillor Ian Cuthbert,
Sunderland City Council

Ryhope neglected
THE DECISION by Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (TCPT) to develop the fourth Primary Care Centre for Wearside in Houghton (Echo, Sept 29), flies in the face of its own perceived wisdom and that of New Labour.
Health chiefs would have us believe that the decision has been based on local health needs, health inequalities, future transport links and improving the local environment, after consultation and appraisals of the two potential sites, Houghton and Ryhope.
The people of Ryhope and Sunderland should not be fooled into believing that this decision has anything to do with clinical need, prudent financial housekeeping, or transport corridors and site access.
They could be forgiven for thinking this is a political decision which demonstrates more than any other that New Labour has abandoned the new Sunderland Central constituency, which includes Ryhope. Sadly, the people of Ryhope – a community long neglected by the city council –
will pay the price, yet again.
If the TCPT's decision is rubber-stamped Sunderland Central will not have a Primary Care Centre, whereas Houghton and Washington, two of the safest Labour seats in the country, will have two … each.
Patrick Lavelle
Independent candidate for Ryhope and Sunderland Central

Deptford delight
IN response to Andrew Smithson's excellent review in the pubs/eating out guide of TJ Doyle's pub (formerly Winstons ), in Deptford, the headline reads "Irish charm is a class act" and this sums up the place perfectly.
Old-fashioned pubs with quality and character and are few and far between these days. Doyle's has managed to capture these values.
Doyle's offers local beers which are unique to Sunderland's two breweries. From the Bull Lane Brewery in the East end of Sunderland there is Sauce of the Niall, SoL, and Doyle's Neck Oil and from the Maxim Brewery in Rainton Bridge, Double Maxim in both draught and bottled versions. Good to see Doyle's helping local industry on Wearside.
You're also guaranteed a friendly welcome in this Deptford delight as the owners go out of their way to greet you. It's child-friendly and has plans to offer food soon. There's even talk of a minibus service to take SAFC fans to home matches.
Doyle's manages to combine the ever-growing Sunderland/Irish connection very well and in my view is the best thing to happen on the Sunderland pub scene for a long time.
Tony Ratton,
Roseville Street,
Sunderland

Poppy Day relies on your support
SINCE 1921 the Royal British Legion's mission has been to help those members of the serving and ex-service community who needed it.
Today, 86 years on, the Legion continues to safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces.
Its annual Poppy Day Appeal is the main source of funding to maintain the Legion's many welfare and benevolent schemes which last year helped more than 300,000 people.
The conflicts in which our Armed Services are engaged provide us with an almost daily reminder of the great courage and strong sense of duty of those who are involved.
Sadly, and all too often, they also provide us with new and tragic reminders of the reasons why the British Legion exists, and of the very necessary need for its annual fund raising Poppy Appeal.
Although last year's Poppy Appeal raised a record sum of more than £30 million, the British Legion never takes the public's generous support for granted.
The people of County Durham have a proud record, not only of serving their country, but of supporting those who have done, and who continue to do so today.
I hope that the British Legion can count on our support again this year, and I would most earnestly ask everyone to do what they can to support the 2008 Poppy Appeal.
Councillor Len O'Donnell,
Chairman, Durham County Council

Test your general knowlege
ANYONE interested in pitting their wits against the best quiz brains in the city is invited to a quiz at Ashbrooke Cricket Club next week.

The Echo Quiz League is looking for new individuals or teams for the new
season and is holding a one-off pairs competition in the Ditchburn Room at the Cricket Club on Wednesday, October 15.

The competition is for teams of two and will follow a presentation to league champions Newbottle Workmen's Club. Players can either compete with a friend or, as the regular league players will be doing, take a chance on who they are matched with.

The league itself is expected to kick off on Wednesday, November 5.

Matches are played on a home-and-away basis on a Wednesday night and followed by a few friendly pints between the teams over sandwiches afterwards. All games are played in pub quiz style with no individual questions and up to six in a team.

Because there can be six in a team there's no point having questions everybody knows. A lot of questions aren't obvious at first but you can often work them out between you, and they're the ones that give the most pleasure.

People see the questions that appear in the Echo and may think they're too hard for them, but if you know two or three you can make a contribution.

The league season runs from November through to May with breaks for school holidays. Anyone interested in entering a team or joining an existing team should contact me.
Chris Brewis,
Tel 07768650189

Your will helps others
FOLLOWING my previous letter I am pleased to report a brilliant start to the Will Aid Campaign.
However, to exceed our previous record total of £3,450, we need even more people to take up our offer.
The campaign's objective is to help everyone get their affairs in order by drawing up their wills and at the same time help a number of charitable causes. Throughout November we will waive our usual fee for making a simple will and instead ask that clients make a suggested donation of just £75 for a single will and £110 for a pair of "matching" wills.
All of the money is paid direct to Will Aid, which is run by nine of the UK's best-known charities. We receive no remuneration for the work we carry out.
It is extremely important to seek qualified and professional expertise when making a will and your readers now have the opportunity to put their own affairs in order while benefiting thousands of others here in the UK and all over the world.
I invite all those who have not made or updated their wills to make an appointment with me, or one of my team, during the month of November.
Clients will not only gain peace of mind from knowing they have properly provided for their loved ones but, through Will Aid, they will also be helping the people who depend on Will Aid charities.
Dermot Kirkwood: Wills and Trusts Partner,
Longden Walker and Renney,
14 John Street,
Sunderland SR1 1HZ
Tel: (0191) 5666 500

Building a new life
HAVE you ever dreamed of leaving your life behind, of moving out of town and starting again with a more easy-going job in some idyllic part of the countryside or on the coast? Are you about to renovate or restore a run down property into your dream home?
More and more people are opting to relocate, work from home and/or run their own business. It's not always easy, but programmes like Channel Five's series Build A New Life have shown that if you really want to make it work, you can change your life completely and start again in a new dream house, in a new dream location with a new dream job.
If you have recently begun your life change or are getting ready to take the plunge the producers of Build a New Life would like to hear from you now.
If you would be interested in appearing on the programme, please contact the producers on 0870 726 8871 or email build@shinelimited.com.
Cecily Ancliffe,
Researcher


RETURNING home from a shopping trip to town with my partner, boarding the bus, we noticed the destination board on the front was wrong. I remarked to the driver about this and he replied "yes I think it's stuck". But then he said, quick as a flash: "I've got India on the tyres but I ain't going there either." We thought it was cheeky, but then we saw the funny side and had to laugh later! Maybe the driver will remember too.
Passengers

YET again a resident in the Ashbrooke area of the city complaining about car parking in the surrounding area and the the civic centre experts not willing to do anything about it. Bureaucrats will always attempt to make procrastination an exact science as long as they are not put to any inconvience.
Carlyon Street Resident

CAN anyone tell me where I can get two unwanted female cats (neutered) a home? I rang many cat shelters but all teld me they are full. We rang the RSPCA and said if we can't find homes for them they may have to be put to sleep, which they agreed. They are two very loving homely cats. If someone can help out here you can contact me on:
Tel 01915371674

I THANK my wonderful family and friends for the wonderful party which was held for my 60th at the Thorney Close Inn. Thanks also to Marie Alahan for the beautiful table she set for the buffet, John and David Donkin for the karaoke and disco, Millers of Silksworth caterers and staff at the Thorney Close Inn.
Mrs Valerie Watts,
Thorney Close
Sunderland

I WAS recently on Ward D42 of Sunderland Royal Hospital and felt I had to put pen to paper to praise everyone I came into contact with, from doctors to cleaning staff. The doctors explained things fully to you and in a manner which you could understand. The matrons came and helped out when needed. The sister was prepared to do anything required even down to cleaning the toilets. The nurses were also prepared to do anything required and were wonderful. Praise also must go to the kitchen staff who prepared lovely meals and to the ward cleaners who kept everywhere spotlessly clean.
J Coyles,
Houghton

A big thank you to all staff, patients and relations who contributed to the Macmillan coffee morning, held on East Willows, Cherry Knowle Hospital on Friday September 26. A total of £135 was raised by the hard-working staff, in aid of this worthwhile cause.
Karen Laydon,
East Willows,
Cherry Knowle Hospital,
Ryhope,
Sunderland

WE would like to thank Sunderland Hospital for putting the shuttle bus on for patients. We had the pleasure of using it again on October 2, along with two other couples. What an excellent way to get to the hospital. No stress looking for a parking spot going round and round. We just park our car in Sainsbury's car park and the bus gets you there in a few minutes.
After our appointment we just get back on the bus and back to Sainsbury's. What an excellent service run by Compass Travel and the drivers are so helpful and friendly.
Mr and Mrs Donkin,
Hall Farm,
Sunderland

MANY thanks to the lady who handed my handbag to staff at Aldi supermarket, Millfield, on Monday, October 6.
Grateful,
Springwell,
Sunderland

READING the Echo, I see Houghton may be getting a Primary Care Centre.
This is good news for the people of Hetton, Rainton, Fence Houses and the area about. Instead of having to travel to Sunderland and Washington, people will find getting to Houghton easy. As for Ryhope, it is a bad place to get to from the places named above, not everyone has their own transport. Let's see something for Houghton. We do need it. Make it near the town centre for buses.
Houghton Resident