WELL done that man! I write in recognition of the huge success the city has enjoyed while music fever has hit everyone for six. The Take That Circus was just simply amazing. Unbelievable!

As well as the group singing and playing, the stage set-up was marvellous I suspect some had never seen a high-wire act, trapeze artists or acrobats in the flesh before. I am sure no one had seen a 40-foot elephant.

In total contrast, the Oasis concert brought another dimension to the stadium. I enjoyed this showcase almost as much, despite witnessing the constant throwing of cups of body fluids into the crowd by a silly minority. It did take some of the edge off a superb concert.

There were many other music events held in the area as part of the city's Live Music programme and it would be an excellent city stimulus to have more of these throughout the year. It was not just the city bars and restaurants who did well from the fortnight. Businesses in the supply chain benefited from the £40million estimated to have been added to the economy. The success of the concerts and city centre events brought relief to the public able to enjoy such fun and entertainment.
Let's hope we can have a repeat next year.

The business community for sure are looking forward to promoters queueing with bands they want to bring to Sunderland. Maybe we may even get a mention on North East radio and TV news, who can tell? I find their decision not to mention the concerts childish and sad.
Sunderland has proved we can do it, now we all want more. SAFC directors are supportive of these events and they should be congratulated for demonstrating their support to the city.

And as for the "well done that man!", congratulations and a special thanks to Gary Hutchinson, conference and banqueting general manager at the club who had the original vision to make it all possible.
Mick Thurlbeck,
Chief Executive,
TVEP

Let's have more
I WAS lucky enough to be taken to the Stadium of Light's Take That show on Friday as a surprise from my daughter and granddaughter.
It was a great show and I'd like to thank everybody concerned. I always liked Take That the first time around and think they are even better now.
Now we know that shows work well at the Stadium, there are many other stars who can come to Sunderland and we don't have to go to Newcastle. The security was good too and not over the top. My favourite was the huge elephant.
Happy Spectator,
Hylton Castle,
Sunderland

Ideal for museum
IT goes without saying that Jewish people have contributed a vast amount to the cultural, social and economic success of Sunderland over the last two centuries.
From the various doctors, solicitors and businessmen, to the revered civic leaders like Charles Slater and Sir Jack Cohen, Sunderland Jews were vital, present and advantageous to the development of the city.
Like many on Wearside, it is with sadness that I reflect on the loss of this city's Jewry, once Britain's largest outside of London, and until a few decades ago still a vibrant and numerous community within the city.
It is with this in mind that I read your report about the Sunderland Synagogue on Ryhope Road being up for sale.
I suggest that the building – a magnificent, imposing and listed structure – be set aside as space for a museum to commemorate such an important part of our lost heritage. I feel the building itself would be ideal as a museum and gallery space, with the decaying outbuilding apt to be renovated as an entrance zone and gift shop.
A Sunderland Jewish Museum would do so much to put us on the cultural map – and be a timely and important commemoration to a community that is so much a part of Sunderland's celebrated history.
Frasier McKenzie,
The Cedars,
Sunderland

It's the DT wot won it!
WE have just witnessed the biggest revolution in politics in 200 years.
It came about because of very good investigative journalism by the Daily Telegraph.
If the Telegraph had not let us know about this dreadful system of expenses it was about to be buried from public knowledge by the Speaker and all other MPs who had voted to use public money to hide the facts.
Even now, after so much conflict among MPs, it looks as though no one will pay. They just have to stand down and it secures an extra year's pay, plus a golden handshake for their cheating and lying, for that's what lots of them were doing. One rule for us and one rule for them. It looks like the police are not going to involve themselves in this.
Let us all learn from this that one thing that frightens them is newspaper men and let us ensure that investigative journalism is allowed to thrive and be given a free hand especially among public servants.
It appears most MPs have been bereft of any morals when claiming their expenses and after the dust has settled it will be interesting to see who and how many of them have been brought to book.
Long live our newspaper men.
Tonto