AS the nation continues to celebrate Team GB's successes in this year's Olympics my particular congratulations go to Wearside medal hero Tony Jeffries for all of his efforts, which came to fruition right on time to help show that Sunderland is not the backwater some think tanks would have us believe.

The focus of attention will move on to London 2012 now, and a common gripe seems to be the fear that the capital will benefit while the rest of us end up going without.

It was interesting to hear the leader of Birmingham City Council who is turning the situation around to ensure that the Second City gets in on the act, too.

Arrangements have already been put in place that will see the American competitors arrive in the Midlands for a pre-games training camp and plans are being made for city officials to meet with the heads of several other athletic associations to see what else can be offered. It's a proactive idea, and one I would love to see our own council leader Paul Watson emulate.

Perhaps with our Nissan links the Japanese team will be warming up for London with a visit to Sunderland, but let's make sure that not only are Japan made welcome, but that we use this opportunity to forge bonds with other nations. I do think that this is a good chance to help create a positive image around the globe.

Our marina and coastline must make us an interesting proposition for any nations with sailing or rowing aspirations and the Aquatic Centre could benefit those training towards other water sports. I'm sure some locals would appreciate watching games of beach volleyball by the Cat and Dog Steps too!
Chris Smith,
Roker,
Sunderland

Repetitive rambling
COURTESY of the Sunderland Echo, once again the Chris Mullin column, (Aug 28), offered nothing other than a one-sided history lesson with quite objectionable generalisations and untruths about Conservatives as people.

I took Chris Mullin to be much better than that, but things are turning nasty and he needs a new script to avoid his last months as an MP from becoming a serious disappointment. His legacy deserves more and it's a pity he spoils it with his repetitve ramblings.

If Chris Mullin is going to use his column as a blatant political propaganda tool with feeble references to the "Daily Torygraph" and statements that Conservatives are "by and large interested in one thing only; tax cuts for the already prosperous," then I would once again question whether, in what will be a hard-fought election in Sunderland Central, the Echo is serving its readers well by allowing these biased and inaccurate statements from one political party dressed-up as a respectable column.

Coun Michael Dixon, (Conservative), St Chad's Ward

Shocked and angry
I WAS shocked to read about the treatment of Graeme Mersh in York while on his way home on the train.

Graeme and his family are friends of my family and we are all shocked and disgusted. It's a sign of the times when armed police are called to wrongly arrest a defenceless, hard-working family man!

As a regular user of National Express, I'm disgusted they allowed this to happen. Surely CCTV is in place to check such behaviour and if not, why not? They claim that passenger safety is a priority, but I think we can all safely doubt this if they cannot visually ensure a safe environment on board. This has certainly made me reconsider which train company I use; anyone could be accused of carrying a knife and National Express wouldn't be aware of this until the family of the accused ring to request more information!

I understand that the police have a job to do, and I understand that people will be comforted by the tough tactics of the police. What makes me most angry is the way in which they embarrassed and humiliated one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of meeting! It's disgusting and embarrassing for the police not to issue an apology for their behaviour.
Laura Naisby,
High Barnes,
Sunderland

Move the bus stop
I LIVE in Roker and visit Seaburn Morrisons twice weekly and I am pleased that low liners have been brought onto the E buses. But I am growing more than tired of the long walk back to the bus stop for the E1 bus back to Roker.

Its all right for the people in Hylton Castle who can get the 99 bus in the car park, but the rest of us have to walk to the bus stop on the seafront which seems like half a mile down the road for us with heavy shopping. It pains me to see other elderly people make the long walk back to the bus stop laden with bags trying to run.

It would be more convenient for the bus stop to be opposite the old funfair, between the roundabout and the pedestrian crossing. And a bigger bus stop with more seats wouldn't go amiss either.
Ruth,
Sunderland