I JUST wanted to write and say how amazed I am at all the negative comments about the Aquatic Centre. How can people not see what a fantastic facility this is for Sunderland?

I've used the new pool and Wellness Centre and they are both so much better than any other council pool or gym I've used – including Crowtree, Washington and Houghton centres.

The Aquatic Centre gym is airy, spacious and has plenty of equipment. The pool water is warm enough, it's very clean and there's always space to have a good swim.

As for the car parking, I don't know how people can complain about walking for a minute from the car to a building where they are going to do some exercise anyway!

The council didn't accidentally forget to build a car park. There is ample car parking in the SAFC car park. Do people think that building a car park that's only needed for 19 days a year (when Sunderland play at home) is a good way to spend taxpayers' money? Of course it isn't.

It's also worth remembering that neither Crowtree nor Washington Leisure Centres have parking close by but no one seems to complain about that.

The Aquatic Centre is the biggest and best pool in the whole region and I think it's about time people were a bit more positive about some of the great things going on in Sunderland.
J Wilson,
Waldridge Close,
Washington

Well done, volunteers
IN today's society of the haves and have nots and with increasing energy costs and rising food bills for the elderly in our city, it is worthwhile to congratulate the volunteers of the Salvation Army in Roker Avenue who, on a Monday at noon, provide a substantial two-course meal for only £1.50 and the volunteers of Holy Trinity Church, High Usworth, Washington on a Wednesday also provide a substantial two-course meal for £2 plus a 50p raffle.

If we add the volunteers who man the city charity shops for their worthy causes, then all is not lost when personal greed seems to be the in thing.
W Craddock,
Donvale Road,
Washington

Electrifying show
I HAVE just returned home tonight after seeing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Sunderland Empire.

I have opened the Echo to see that the Echo's Katy Wheeler was there last night and totally slammed it as cheesy, the sets are naff and we are not in the West End of London. As for her last sentence, for most people any reality show finalist will do, she really needs to think before she starts slating people.

I am so incensed I have had to write this letter straight away. She should have been there tonight, the atmosphere was electrifying.

If she had been behind some of the audience leaving the Empire tonight she would have been amazed at the excellent comments everyone was making.
Mrs M Horn,
Sydenham Terrace,
Sunderland

Execute killers
I WAS absolutely disgusted when I read that Brent Martin's killers had had their sentences reduced.

Who on earth is this Mr Justice Goldring to say it wasn't sadistic? What did these morons have to do to make it any worse than it was?

I am so angry to think that a person's life is just not important enough these days. This will make idiots like them think it's OK to take someone's life without a second thought. It's easy to remember the old saying, if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

Life sentences should mean life and should be handed to idiots like them who think it's fine to go and kick someone to death.

Why can't we have the death penalty back? Lethal Injection would be the best option when the evidence is as overwhelming as in this case.

They say we have a justice system but I don't think we do, because people literally get away with murder and I think it's pathetic.

Why can't the Government wake up and smell the coffee? They take enough of our wages to be able to buy plenty.

My thoughts are with Brent's family and friends. God bless them and keep on fighting!
Julie,
Sunderland

Seeking hero's kin
ON August 27, 1943, an RAF Halifax bomber crashed in our village and all aboard perished.

It has been decided that the parish council is to support the erection of a memorial in the village of Langtree, to the memory of those gallant young airmen.

We want to have the memorial completed in time to have a dedication in August 2009, as close to the actual date as is possible.

The flight engineer was Sgt George Robertson Wheatley, RAF Volunteer Reserve, and he was the son of Fredrick and Gladys Wheatley or Sunderland, County Durham.

If there are any persons still in your newspaper's catchment area who are relations of Sgt Williams or know of where we might contact any relatonss, to contact me at the address below or via email at cme250@aol.com
Michael Evans (Langtree Parish Clerk),
Withecott Bungalow,
Langtree
Devon
EX38 8NL