I WAS amused when I read your article Foul Play (Echo,Aug 19). While I agree that we must root out the motorists who flout the law, was it because the culprits just happened to be professional footballers that your "cheesed-off cabbie" contacted the Echo?
I'm a resident of Fulwell and get more and more frustrated every day with indiscriminate parking in and around Sea Road.
Your "cheesed-off cabbie" should look at himself and the rest of his drivers who show a blatant disregard for the Highway Code. I must point out that not all "cabbies" come into this category, if they are causing a hazard while picking up a fare and you ask them to move (politely) you will be met with hand and mouth gestures.
With regard to the eagle-eyed parking attendant, it's not very often that I have seen one in Sea Road. Did your "cheesed-off cabbie" bus him in?
Sea Road is a disaster waiting to happen. Never mind the side streets so much, the main street is the problem. Not a minute goes by that you have to negotiate inconsiderate drivers. Lots of drivers are playing fast and loose with the rules.
Frustrated pedestrian

Play area fouled
JUST off Carley Hill Road there is a nice piece of council land that is ideal for riders with motor bikes and quad bikes to race around, cutting up the grass and making a lot of noise so people in the area can't have their windows open.
There is also a play area for the children that is fenced off where a senseless woman takes her three dogs. One is black, one is a sandy colour and the smallest one is a charcoal colour.
At least twice a day she takes them inside the area making sure that both gates are closed before letting them loose to foul but does not have a bag to remove the mess.
It is time the police and council did something about these people. It is a safety and health issue that needs addressing – and the sooner the better!
Name and address supplied

What choices?
MY daughter attended Grindon minor injuries centre earlier in the year. She received very good treatment for a diagnosis of tonsillitis.
When her symptoms reoccurred this weekend she again attended Grindon. She waited one hour to be told that they would not treat her and she was to see her own GP.
She tried to explain that they had treated her earlier in the year but this was to no avail.
I rang her GP today to be told that the surgery no longer sees minor ailments and she was to attend a minor injury centre!
The casualty dept no longer sees minor problems, so perhaps the primary care trust could let me know where my daughter might receive some kind of medical treatment.
Mrs Gillian Hunt
Sunderland

Waste of time
I WOULD also like to send my gratitude to Sunderland Council for the outstanding people employed on the airshow roadblocks.
I had my resident's permit displayed clearly in my window of my car and was told by not one, but three of these people that I could not enter past the roadblock.
I told one that I would like to speak with his supervisor and the response was that he didn't know the name of the person who he was working for so he could not contact anyone on his radio.
I was then told by another employee of this "ghost" company that no residents have been able to get through. What is the point in issuing these passes if they don't mean anything? Obviously just another waste of time and our money on resources.
Donna,
Sunderland

Free activities
AS a parent who lives in Murton, I agree that it is awful we lost our pool, but must also point out that due to the Family Centre and the Glebe Centre in Murton we have enjoyed a wide range of activities over the school holidays, such as drama group, skate and ride, sports day, dance sessions, tiny tots fun zone and many others, including day trips to Beamish, Discovery Centre, Scarborough, etc.
Although all activities at the Glebe centre were free, even the trip to Flamingo Land, some of these sessions had only two or three children attend. There were also trips and activities arranged for teenage groups.
All of these activities were fantastic and immensely enjoyed by the families that did attend. Instead of knocking people for what they don't do, get behind what they do arrange and you never know, they may arrange more! Big thank you to both centres. Keep up the good work.
Jeanette

Give him a chance
I AM appalled at the letter I read from the lady who is trying to get a refund on tickets for Scrooge because Michael Barrymore is set to star in it.
This man has been to hell and back and small-minded people don't make life easy for him. Michael has not done anything wrong. You can't judge this man on his sexual preference or the fact that someone very tragically died in his swimming pool. Everyone was too caught up on gossip around these events to even consider how Michael felt, and still there are sad people making up malicious rumours and trying to drive the man insane.
I think it's great he is starring in Scrooge. He has came a long way and has been publicly ridiculed for too long, so please cut the man some slack.
My advice to the lady who is not happy that she can't get her tickets refunded because she does not wish to see Michael Barrymore, I think in future you should find out who is going to be in a show before booking tickets and quite simply grow up! Scrooge is a great show and Michael Barrymore will do the part a great deal of justice.
A very annoyed reader