THE involvement of the clergy in politics is always controversial and will rarely satisfy everyone. I have an open mind on the issue and the recent criticism of the Labour Government by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and more recently the Church Report, Moral, But No Compass, is a good sign that the Church is entering the political debate with constructive comments.

So long as it is balanced and not party political, I believe the more the clergy become active in current issues, the better, as they are generally very intelligent people. It should also be a welcome distraction from their own internal problems, certainly in the Church of England.

The real problem begins when the criticism is such that it is apparent the Church or specific clergyman have a political agenda.

Timing of the clergy's intervention into politics also requires careful thought. When I read a contribution to the Echo before the recent local elections from the Bishop of Durham advising people not to vote BNP, I was and still remain uncertain as to whether it was particularly helpful.

It reminded people that the BNP existed because they do nothing between elections. While most people are quite willing to engage in political discussion, they do no like to be told how to vote. I would have much preferred Bishop Tom to have discussed this issue throughout the year and really exposed the BNP for what they are, rather than come on to the political scene late in the day.

The form of political involvement of the clergy that causes most concern, however, is where there is an unwitting identification and compliance with the direction of a political party running either the country or a city, combined with a reluctance to criticise and a tendency to promote blinkered optimism, even when inappropriate.

This has to be avoided at all costs because in time it will diminish not only the reputation of the individual concerned, but also, more importantly, that of the Church.
Coun Michael Dixon,
(Conservative),
St Chad's Ward

Decline of the pub
YOU ask what the views are of the decline of the traditional British pubs and clubs. Two answers:

Think back a bit and remember at the start of the ban on smoking altogether, that, I'm afraid, was the start of the social demise, when there was no freedom of choice, just the Draconian whip.

Once again, I say if smoking is so bad for one's health then do the proper thing and ban all manufacture and sale of tobacco.

Stop the sale of all intoxicating products from corner shops and supermarkets. Bring back the pure off-licence. This way the purchase of beer and spirits can be policed and young people will find it much harder and less tempting.

The Government seems to be sitting back and just burying its head in the sand hoping all the problems created will go away. They won't. The sooner they realise this the better because the amount of drink-related violence and all crime will escalate.
CS Wasey,
Wayman Street,
Sunderland

CONFIDENCE REVIVED
CLIENT thanking her counsellor for reviving her confidence:

CONFIDENCE in the morning,
Confidence in the evening
And confidence at supper time,
Be my little confidence and inspire me all the time.
Sure, that way, Mr Counsellor
Happy in the morning,
Bubbly in the evening
And all so blossomed at supper time.
That's how I feel with you in tune with me all the time.
Pity my psyche vandals
Screamed in the morning,
Scolded in the evening
And scoffed at supper time,
Sure that way they dented my confidence all the time.
So thank you Mr Counsellor
For now it is my confidence that
Sings a soothing lullaby to me every night.
M Nabar,
Farndale Avenue,
Sunderland

Why drop in crime?
CAN Chief Superintendent Pryer tell us in detail what his police officers do differently during the "Enough is enough" campaign apart from relying on posters and partner organisations that they don't do the rest of the year?

Does he have more officers on the streets? Do they carry out operations that they don't carry out the rest of the year?

Is it not more likely that the 15 per cent drop in reported crimes is down to the gradual decline in crime year on year even without police intervention or people just not reporting because the police have made reporting crime pointless by their lack of response?
Name and address supplied

Paying more for less
THE comments of Mr F Wood of Houghton on the failure of staff employed by Sunderland Council to show any interest when he reported the filthy state of streets in his neighbourhood rings a bell with many who have had the audacity to enter the Civic Centre to voice their concerns.

Mr Wood is one of hundreds who have suffered at the hands of council staff. There are many employed in the Civic Centre who seem to believe that the public have no right to disturb the cosy atmosphere they have made for themselves in their "ivory tower".

In spite of what our city councillors would have us believe, there seems to be an element of the workforce that couldn't care less about the concerns of those who pay their wages.

To complain on any matter can turn out to be a very stressful experience because it is hard to find anyone willing to take responsibility for anything.

Most of us are fed up with being told how lucky we are to have such good council-provided services.

Do those who make such self-congratulatory noises really believe what they say? The truth is that we are paying more and more for less and less.
R Graves,
Thornholme Road,
Sunderland

Recycling bins have moved
IF, like me, you use the recycling bins at Washington Galleries, you may have noticed that they have moved to near the Gala Bingo car park.

We have relocated the recycling bins in order to tackle issues such as fly-tipping and littering. The bollards around the site are only there to enable the Galleries management to burn off current car park markings and hatch a new vehicle-free zone for ease of access for the users of our facilities.

In addition we are going to trial paper banks at the new location, two paper recycling banks will be placed on site in the near future. I would again ask everyone who uses this recycling bank to use them properly and not cause a nuisance to local residents.
Coun Dianne Snowdon,
Washington


I WOULD like help to trace some family members. I am doing my family tree and it is also important because I need information and photographs, if I can get any, of my great-grandfather and his family.

He was one of the Wearmouth Colliery miners whose name is on the stone at the cricket ground over Southwick. I believe they are raising funds to have it replaced as it's worn out and neglected.

My great-grandfather was Northumberland Fusilier Tyneside Scottish Sgt Robert Spence Kirton, 23rd Battalion who was killed on July 1, 1916 in the Battle of the Somme. Pam Tate is writing a book on these forgotten men. I've no photographs or information on him, sadly, so I'm hoping to find other relations who may help.

My great-grandfather and his friend, Maudy Brown, used to dance at the Sunderland Empire and Bromarsh. I'm told my grandfather's cousins, Robert Spence Kirton's nephews, are Bob and Alf Pearson.

They were in the Echo and Alfred mentioned going to football matches with his father and Uncle Bob.

I wonder if that Bob was my great-grandfather Robert. I can't trace Alfred Pearson. I believe he is living down south. I'm also hoping to trace relations in Sunderland. They are the Vardy family, my grandad's sister's family, Violet (nee Kirton) who has sadly passed away and her children, now in their 60s and 70s, Alan, George, Joan and Joyce. Their father was Bob Vardy and they all lived in Newcastle Road when younger.

I can be contacted on 0191 565 1379.
Alison