WHAT a marvellous business opportunity your paper has just announced. I refer, of course, to the proposed £70million park near Nissan which may include a hotel. What it will do is create further traffic congestion in that area.

My view, now that talks are going ahead for a £300million high-speed rail link between London and Edinburgh/Aberdeen, bypassing Sunderland, that the demand higher up the political agenda for the reopening up again of the Leamside line is more important for our local MPs than ever before.

Build a park and ride near Sulgrave, Washington, for the increased Nissan number of employees and, further up the Premier League, for our football team and supporters.

The overgrown rail link from Pelaw to Ferryhill could be a target again for a certain commodity, much in demand.
Bill Craddock,
Donvale Road,
Washington

For the children
I NEVER knew the council could move so quickly. There is still talk going on about the Vaux site, bridges and buildings taking so long to go up. But they wanted an Olympic swimming pool and up it went. I, like others, approve and hope it lives up to its expectations. But it has snags like all new things.

They have opened The Green up behind the Leisure Centre, taken away the walls, so now football is being played there, people sitting on the grass, children playing.

The path from the leisure centre leads to Debenham's car park to the church and Empire and steps down to Wetherspoons etc. Also all of these lead to The Bridges, the city shopping centre. Also very handy to the leisure centre pool where parents took the little ones, all very compact. The babies could sit on the bottom (the water being very low), and splash around and everyone was happy.

here have been lots of complaints from parents who are complaining of having to go to the Aquatic Centre which is over the bridge. Not convenient as they have to come back if they want to shop or eat or go to the library or the museum or park which are all in town.

After the Aquatic Centre opened, the next week I went to the leisure pool and lo and behold, the pool was empty. Have you ever known anything happen so quick? Next all the glass was painted, advertising the Olympic pool.

I say give the little ones the leisure pool, give some people what they want. The slide and children's toys were still there so before you destroy it altogether, fill it up again for the children. You never know, one of them may be an Olympic swimmer because they splashed in Crowtree as a baby.
M Abendshine,
Mowbray Almshouses,
Sunderland

Uniform guideline
IN answer to the letter in the Echo (Aug 7), from L Potts "I was steaming", I'd like to defend Merrill's fish shop, which was in the right to decline a customer who wanted to buy a schoolkids' special meal deal, for a 2½-year-old child.

L Potts's grandchild did not qualify for this special deal. We clearly have on the window display that the school kids' meal is for schoolchildren only, during school term, Monday to Friday at lunch time.

So that our staff can identify these children, the school uniform is an ideal guideline for them to use. We introduced this type of deal to help parents who are sending their children to school every day while having to pay for lunches and trying to keep costs down for them!

We try to do our best for the community, looking after our customers. Our quality and service is our priority. Our high standards have been recognised by the Seafish standards, and we are proud to be award winners.

The staff at Merrill's were only doing their jobs. We try to be fair to all our customers. It is not fair on them when a customer acts inappropriately in front of our other customers, when they are in the wrong. We have a wide range of kids' meal deals which L Potts could have chosen from, but chose to pick something for which they did not qualify.

It has upset us that one customer can cause us concern when writing to our local newspaper about this. But we felt it important to defend ourselves in replying, to explain the situation.
D Gill,
Merrill's Fish Shop,
Chester Road,
Sunderland

Road of no return
THERE has been much comparison between Gordon Brown and John Major, as both men suffered terrible poll ratings during their times as Prime Minister. I prefer to see more a relevant connection to Brown through first James Callaghan and then Sir Anthony Eden.

Callaghan, like Brown, came to power through the resignation of a sitting Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, and had the reputation of being very close to the trades union movement and its then all-powerful leaders, who strutted around as if they owned the place, which was not that far from the truth then.

"Sunny Jim", as he liked to portray himself, was seen as the man who could talk to and work with the unions. In reality it was very different. Like Brown he fatally hesitated over the timing of a General Election. We then had the winter of discontent, his alleged "crisis, what crisis?" gaffe and he was sent packing in 1979.

Eden, as with Brown, had to wait an eternity to become Prime Minister, but unlike Brown had the courage to call a snap election and was rewarded with an increased Conservative majority. But Eden blundered terribly in his specialist field, foreign policy, over the Suez crisis.
The moral of the story? The public are especially unforgiving when a Prime Minister fails in his specialist subject. Brown is already well down that road of no return.
Coun Michael Dixon (Conservative),
St Chad's Ward,
Sunderland

We need professional forces, not conscripts
RE the article by Army Veteran, Bring Back National Service (July 29), after years of comparative silence an unpleasant word has arisen again – conscription.

Army Veteran tends to mix up the issues of the country, eg, the homeless, families who don't work, sickness benefit and hanging, when, in effect, overall conscription of everyone of a certain age group has nothing to do with these issues.

It is 60 years since the first call-up papers arrived for thousands of young lads for National Service.

Unrest among wartime conscripts who had not been demobilised quickly enough after the war led to mutiny in Egypt and Malaya. This factor, plus the deteriorating international situation led to the introduction in 1947 of the National Service Act.

But peacetime service was not what many of these reluctant heroes were to enjoy. They found themselves fighting in the Korean War (many became PoWs), in Suez and Cyprus, in the jungles of Malaya and against the Mau Mau in Kenya.

Thousands were stationed in the British Army of the Rhine. Until the last National Serviceman was demobbed in 1963 there was never a period when they were not on active duty. Three thousand found themselves on Christmas Island in the Pacific Ocean. Here they became guinea pigs for early nuclear tests. They were too young to vote but not too young to die.

An ex-serviceman myself, with two family serving soldiers – Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, two tours of Afghanistan – I say no to any form of conscription. A volunteer army, yes. Pressed men, no.

Note the Family Announcements column in the Echo, under Exam Successes. Why penalise these excellent students who have gone to university and gained professional qualifications by delaying their progress for two years, or whatever, for the actions of unambitious, wayward youth?

Filling the armed forces with committed professionals by high
remuneration and good conditions is the way forward – not forcing the bad, the unambitious and misguided adolescents who defile our towns and cities into a life that few will have any interest in.
MJ McCarthy,
RE 884,
Sunderland

Signing success
WE would like to thank everyone who attended the successful launch of our debut novel, When the Tide Comes In, at our book signing event at Waterstones in the Bridges, Sunderland, on Saturday, July 26, 2008.
Thank you to all who encouraged us leading up to the event and a special thank you to Elaine Naylor (Sunderland Public Libraries), Richard Ord (Sunderland Echo) and Steve Robinson (manager at Waterstones bookshop) for supporting us and promoting the work of local authors.
Anthony Major and Tula Tew,
Abbey Close,
Washington Village

You all helped
ON behalf of Silksworth Banner Group, we thank the many people who made it possible for the banner to be marched through Silksworth on July 12, 2008. Thank you to Shepherd Brass Band from York who accompanied the banner.
Thanks to councillors Phillip Tye and Peter and Elizabeth Gibson, Durham Miners' Association, Mr Duke and Northumbria Police for their assistance and support.
Thanks also to civic centre staff, Silksworth RAOB Club, Jean and Lynda who prepared the after-gala buffet and the people who marched with us through Silksworth on Gala Day.
Finally, thanks to Washington Badge and Embroidery Company for the excellent work they did on the logo for our banner group polo shirts. See you all again next year.
Peter Shields,
Secretary,
Silksworth Banner Group

Live for today
WELL, well, well, Fred Brady has decided to raise his head above the sand just when we all thought, or hoped, that we had heard the last of him.( Echo, July 9).
Nothing has been mentioned over the last few months, unless I missed a copy of the Echo, about his beloved leader and the 10p tax debacle,the candidate who came in 5th and lost his deposit, the London Mayor, Northern Rock, knife crime, post office closures, petrol prices. road taxes, 42 days detention act. I won't go on as there are far too many items to mention.
Now all of a sudden he is living in his past fantasy world and we are transported to 1979-97. Fred, wake up, that was 10 years ago. Has your pension not gone up? Grow up and live in the present day. You can't change things that happened years ago. It's 2008 and "New Labour" has been in power for nearly 11 years now. Fred or are you still stuck in the 70s, 80s, or early 90s?
If you wish to be an armchair politician then live for today as yesterday is past and gone or do something useful and put up for your council or breathe the fresh air, have a cup of coffee but do something instead of wallowing in the past. And don't try to pigeonhole me as I am also retired and don't vote Conservative.
AH Pallister,
Peterlee

Suiting themselves
ON June 25, Asda, Sunderland, had a large lorry (Healthy Heart), parked on four blue disabled bays.
As a disabled person I was not at all happy so I voiced my opinion as I normally do regarding this type of mis-use only to be told by an Asda team manager that after careful consideration with Sunderland city parking and for no doubt best effect, that they in all their wisdom decided that putting it on four blue bays was the best option!
No doubt method in their madness and upset it caused to many disabled drivers who rely on being able to get as close to the store front as possible making life a little easier!
Many hurdles have been fought to get stores such as this to impose a £60 fine for misuse of these bays but it seems that whoever has the bigger voice is able to change the regulations to suit themselves and after all it was in the interest of a healthy heart campaign. Even cameras were there to film the event, Signs redirecting disabled badgeholders were supposed to be in view.
Still we see misuse of the bays in day-to-day use it seems the current £60 fine is maybe a bit lenient or maybe if the regulations were to be enforced and the £1,000 misuse rule was used on everyone that disobeyed the blue badge ruling people may think twice. Some may say these regulations don't exist – I suggest that they send for a copy and read it!
J Greives,
Murton

I laughed non-stop
I ATTENDED Lucky Numbers at the Customs House, South Shields recently and it was absolutely fantastic.
I laughed almost non-stop throughout and would urge any of your readers who get the chance to go and see it, because this is one of the funniest things I have ever seen on stage.
As well as a fantastic show, I ventured into the Customs House gallery before taking my seat and saw one of the most colourful and thought-provoking exhibitions. The Jack That Didn't Fit in the Box by Jacquie Boyd is worth a visit to the venue on its own!
The Customs House is something the people of South Tyneside should be proud of and those who don't live in the borough should make sure they visit at least once, because you are really missing out if you don't.
I Daniels,
Cleadon

NOT to be missed! Holy Family Church at Glanmore Road, Grindon, Sunderland, is holding a Summer Festival on Sunday, August 17 at 2pm. Attractions for all ages: Stalls, bingo, tombola, bouncy castle, games, gospel choir and balloon release. Everyone is welcome. Tickets at the gate are £1.25 entrance and participation. Join us!
For further information call Yvonne on 528 5840.
Y Sullivan,
Cortina Avenue,
Sunderland

MY daughter gave me a little treat by taking me to see Mamma Mia! It was the best treat by far. It was absolutely brilliant, fantastic. I couldn't sit still in my seat, so at the end as I sang and danced my way out. I would just like to say "thank you for the music, for giving it to me"! Thank you Julie.
From One Happy Mamma Mia


WILL the gentleman who rang me in May 2008 regarding Empire Theatre programmes please give me a ring on 0191 551 0314 if he still has them.
George McCarthy,
Pennywell,
Sunderland

INSTEAD of a windfall tax on energy companies why not just reverse the tariff system? It seems the less you use, the more you pay. To sum up, if you cut right back on using electricity you will always pay 50 per cent more. I always thought if you use less you pay less, not the most. The evidence is on the bill. It's a rip off.
Leo D Nowt,
Murton

I WOULD like to say thank you to all the people who came to my side and helped me with the loss of my husband Peter.
At one point it did mention him being the first traffic warden in Sunderland and I'm proud to know he was well liked by the beautiful cards that were sent. God bless and thank you again.
Mrs Frecker,
West Street,
New Silksworth,
Sunderland

ON Tuesday, May 27, about noon, at the roundabout at Jennings on Wessington Way, there was an accident between a Ford Mondeo and a red sports car. Fortunately no one was hurt but I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time who might have seen the incident to contact me with any information regarding this matter.
I would be grateful if witnesses would telephone me on 551 0298 or 07908 628 379.
M Watson,
Hylton Castle,
Sunderland

SORRY to read that the Theatre Restaurant in Sunderland has had to close, due to lack of support. Hope this enthusiastic and talented group of players find the place and people who will appreciate them. Good luck.
CA Wake,
Sunderland