RUSSELL Foster posed for his photo in the Echo in front of an open field and not in front of the trees, 7,000 of them, in the wood he is planning to have chopped down.

According to his words, there are no great crested newts and no red squirrels, so no environmental things that have to be kept.
I guess that goes for most of the woods in England, so none of them is worth saving, either.

He doesn't seem to care about the rest of the wildlife and their environment which he is prepared to destroy.

All the people in the surrounding villages, really care, and enjoy this lovely, peaceful place.

Apparently the Forestry Commission hadn't carried out an environmental impact assessment on the wood. Yet according to the article by Trevor Hoyland, July 11, projects for woodland chiefs this year include projects which broaden wildlife habitats.

It sounds like they say one thing, but are not prepared to carry out what they say. Sounds like hypocrisy to me.

I pray our local councillors, who seem to have the last word, will be more caring for the environment and tell Russell Foster to find somewhere else more suitable for his 20 football pitches, car parks etc.
Joyce Dixon,
Newbottle

Angry at 'early retirement brigade'
AT present I am receiving Pension Credit, being over 65, but would love to obtain a full or part-time position.

What makes me furious is these people (not yet 60) who you hear saying "I wish I was retired".

I wish to obtain work. Maybe the pensions they obtain from their former employers are very good.

I have tried numerous places who say "We employ older people". What a lot of rubbish. The only people who benefit from the "early retirement brigade" are the bookies and the pubs, especially in Houghton.
Seeking Work

Blame ills on
lack of respect
THIS is for you, Mr Gary Duncan. No sir, I am not insane. I'm in the real world.

Why do you think that the divide between rich and poor is to blame for people getting shot or stabbed? That means if I lived beside a millionaire and I wanted something and couldn't get it and he can, I shoot or stab him.

There is no respect today, it's as simple as that. No morals, no discipline. The kids who are doing this do what they want, when they want. No one can interfere because they are afraid.No, Mr Duncan, wake up and smell the coffee please. I suppose National Service would be out as well.

There has always been a divide between rich and poor, but I believe it has gone too far in some people's minds. It's just used as an excuse. Yes, I believe there are people living in bad conditions and yes, they deserve better. But not at the cost of lives.
B Crute,
Cleveland Road,
Sunderland

Lulu reaches 60 this year
LULU, one of the all-time great female singers, is 60 later this year.
Her first hit record, Shout, entered the British charts in 1964 and she signed a recording contract with Decca and EMI Records.

She appeared in TV shows including the Morcambe and Wise Show, Thank Your Lucky Stars, Juke Box Jury, Ready Steady Go, the Beat Room, Les Dawson and This Is Your Life with Eamonn Andrews in 1972.

Her first film, To Sir With Love, in 1966, made the U.S. charts for six weeks.

Lulu is still a great recording artist and I hope she enjoys her 60th birthday.
Terry Christie,
Woodside Terrace,
East Herrington,
Sunderland

What has Cameron got to offer us?
WHEN our Southern press and media finally ends its fixation with Gordon Brown, hopefully the political focus will turn to David Cameron and what he has got to offer.

However, all the signs are Mr Cameron lacks that quintessential political know-how that turns opposition leaders into Prime Ministers.

Indeed, when interviewed by the BBC's Andrew Marr (July 20), Mr Cameron refused to say whether or not he would raise taxes were he elevated to Prime Minister.

This obvious "cop out" was followed by a series of simplistic answers to questions from Mr Marr that carried all the naivety of an opposition leader not up to his task and, even worse, did not appear to understand the practicalities of the global slump in his haste to pin them on to the Government.

Mr Cameron immediately called for a general election on hearing of the Government's bad result at Glasgow East, but obviously did not understand the full connotations that could have easily signalled the end of English involvement in Scottish politics.

How long before SNP leader Alex Salmond seeks a referendum on Scottish independence from the rest of the UK – especially while the southern press and media politics are being promoted in England.
F Brady,
Honeycomb Close,
Sunderland