I TAKE my hat off to Bill Etherington MP for his positive thinking. Even if the massive coal fields don't ever materliase, just think what it could help to bring many great benefits. It would help to build our economy.
We had trouble in the seventiess with energy costs. Energy needs to be low for industry, commercial and domestic users. We should also have great wind farms on the North East coast to help convert into electricity and invest in solar power.
The cost of buying fuel abroad is not cost-effective. I recently had to down size my un-eco-frendily house because it was costing about £200 a month for gas and electric in the winter months. Things can only get better.
There is a great market out there for energy saving these days. I think it would be a lot cleaner if we had the latest electric trams in our city centre. Keep cars from the centre.if not shopping. It would be even better if we could see great ships in the Wear like days not so long ago. I am a proud of being a mackem and living in one of the best cities in the country.
I would love to see this great city on the map for the right reasons – warm, friendly. industrious and hard-working folk
Peter Kerr,
Sunderland

Charity cash
JUST to warn people about collections for charity. I recently donated to National Blind Children's Society a substantial amount of designer clothes. Collectors were eastern Europeon.
I did not want to donate for some company to get rich. I have been on the website and company I and G Cohen are recyclers and exporters and NBCS only receive £50 for every tonne donated. I did not want someone to get rich from my donations.
News items recently warned about a Romanian billionaire stealing collection bags.This is stealing by the back door. The charity is not getting rich. The company they are allowing to collect for them is getting rich.
Brenda McCabe,
Sharpley Drive,
Seaton,
Seaham

A MATTER OF TASTE
MY man was deeply disappointed
With his vegetables this year,
They were very, very puny
In spite of constant care.
But next year we're expecting
A truly magic cure,
For today he brought in three bags full
Of elephant manure.
The town moor had a circus
After the annual "hoppings,"
So he helped the council tidy up
By collecting elephant droppings.
It was, he said, a gift for me
For our wedding anniversary!
Mary Taylor,
Robert Wheatman Court,
Sunderland

Drink in moderation
I READ with some alarm Joan Carney's letter (Echo, April 25). My recent attempt to amuse with a few lines of verse was lambasted by Mrs Carney, after previously saying "she would not criticise" and then showing concern (in a sarcastic way), for my drinking habits and health.
When Mrs Carney and I first crossed swords, I though she was a lady of principal, but now, I find she is just a woman of contradiction.
When I drink, it's always in moderation which seems to enhance my joi-de-vivre, if you get what I mean. Also alcohol is a vasodialator, which is very handy for anyone with a "dicky ticker".
I think the trouble with the young of today is they have not got the art of drinking.
Ron Bonallie,
Fulwell,
Sunderland

Sunday collections
HAVE Echo readers done anything about the recent Royal Mail Sunday collection cuts yet, that have affected millions of people across the United Kingdom?
If not, please view the petition on the Prime Minister's website at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/community help
I believe this is the only United Kingdom-wide campaign to try to get Royal Mail to re-instate the Sunday collections.
FE Shape,
Plymouth

Were you at Culham?
DID YOU do your teacher training course at Culham C of E Training College in September 1958? If so you should know that a reunion of that unique group is being held on Saturday, October 4, 2008 in Northamptonshire. For further information please contact us.
Alex Johnston 01327 842165 or e-mail loisbuk@tiscali.co.uk

Just not polite
L AM just wondering if any other reader feels as l do.
Last week l received a letter from labour candidate Stephen Bonallie and it was addressed to me personally. When l opened it, l was even more shocked to discover it was addressed "Dear" and then my first name was used. l may be old-fashioned but to me unless you have been instructed to call someone by their first name you call them Mr, Miss etc.
l think it must be a New Labour tactic to get votes but for me it just gets my hackles up. l have spoken to a few other people from different backgrounds and age groups, all feel same as me. l have sent my comments to the Labour Party and received a very rude reply. l also think it's wrong that just anybody can get hold of our personal info. lf this is progress let's bring back the good old days of a polite society
Mrs A Prior,
Roker,
Sunderland

Is this really what we are paying for?
OUR council has been promoting a state-of-the-art Aquatic Centre that will be a fantastic sporting facility for the city and the region.
I have been awaiting the opening with great anticipation as an avid recreational swimmer. As a member of the council's wellness centres I expected an increase in my membership fee as a result of the improved facility and was willing to pay it in return for receiving access to a 50m pool on a regular basis.
For the past six months I have used Newcastle Road baths twice a week, Wednesday and Friday. I work 9-5 four days a week but on a Friday I finish work to swim early, to miss swimming lessons and the rush at the pool. I expected this to still be applicable.
I arrived at the Aquatic Centre only to be told that it would not open to the public until 6.30pm having closed at 4:00. I was appalled. Is this really what I and thousands of other member s are paying for? I was told to return at 6:30 when it would open to the public.
I did complain, but as requested I returned at 6:30 only to face queues out the door where people were ushered in without being recorded. Anybody heard of health and safety?
I lasted 15 minutes, only of the pool was available. I cannot begin to estimate how many people were in that third but I think 75 may be understating it. The floor had not been lowered and of the space was more like a paddling pool.
Is this why our council has closed Newcastle Road and the Leisure Centre pools? Combining the two will never work and will never make their customers happy.
I paid to use the pool when it was available for operational testing and swimming in a 50-metre pool was invigorating. Imagine my disappointment to find that this fantastic 50m facility would only be available to the public as a 50m pool for 12 hours a week on a Wednesday, (that's about 2½ hours to us working members of the public).
Is this really the service that I and other full fee-paying members of the public can expect and is this what the state-of-the-art Aquatic Centre was advertised as?
Disgruntled Member,
Roker,
Sunderland

Dads paid for pool
AFTER reading the Echo on April 23, I agree. My dad and other men from Murton Pit paid money from their wages and their families enjoyed days at the pool. I can remember my mam coming down with a picnic to have there in the summer and the galas that were held there.
When I got married my family used to go there to have a day out. It was the only thing left after they closed the cinema and then the council smashed it up and filled it in.
If the council had put a roof on it and put a fee on they would have got their money back in a short time. Also the children of Murton School now have to travel to another pool to learn to swim but if it had been still here they would not have to pay for a bus to travel and it would have been less time in going to the pool and back to school.
Now they are going to build some daft units on it and we do not need that. We need something for the children of Murton to use. Why can't the council listen to what the people of Murton want? After all we do vote for them.
BJ

Feeling betrayed
WHILE watching the news it was reported that Sunderland has an Olympic-size pool.
They were not the first to have a big pool. The miners of Murton paid for one years ago and what did the council do? They smashed it up.
If they had put a roof on it and did the field up we would have something in Murton, as now we have nothing here.
The only thing we are getting are houses which we do not need.
The people of Murton must feel like we have nothing here when their fathers, husbands, brothers paid for a lot of things for the village and then the council came and whipped everything.
Why can't people see that Murton people feel we have been betrayed when we keep getting our noses rubbed in every time you hear the news.
A Dissatisfied Taxpayer,
Murton

Wonderful choir
IT was wonderful to read in the Echo about the Sunderland Youth Orchestra. I was wondering if anyone remembered the Sunderland Schools Choir of the 1950s? It was held on Tuesday nights in Green Terrace School. We were all on Children's Hour singing Hansel and Gretel and Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring. It was a lovely choir and I am very proud that I was part of it. Love to all family and friends.
Ann Hansen,
Casuarina Drive, Banora Point,
NSW, Australia

WE would like to say congratulations to our manger Sue Dodds for completing 25 years' service. We hope you have lots of good memories to look back on, Sue. Thank you for all your support and care, always willing to help. We have shared some funny times together and have had a good laugh. We are lucky to know you. God bless.
The Tenants

JUST to say thank you to whoever handed my prescription in and a big thank you to Sunderland Stagecoach for returning it to me so promptly.
Miss Irene Snowdon,
Millburn Street,
Sunderland

ANN and Ray Burridge would like to thank their loving family, relations and many friends for the beautiful flowers, cards and good wishes for their new home.
Ray and Ann Burridge,
Seaburn

ON April 2 a coach trip went from the three tower blocks in the City Centre to Eden Camp. We had a wonderful day. Can I thank gentoo for the Aspire Award enabling the day out. Could I also thank Jim Hughes Coaches for the comfortable coach provided, also thanks to the driver, Chris, who looked after us so well.
Rose Thompson, Chairperson,
Astral House,
Sunderland

MY thanks to all people concerned in the return of my black handbag which was all intact, on the 73 bus from Park Lane to Washington, on Saturday, April 26. I don't know your names but my sincere thanks goes to you all.
Very Grateful
Kathleen

SUNDERLAND Forge electricians, both marine and land are holding their bi-annual reunion at the Premier Club in Roker Avenue, Friday, May 30, 2008. The usual free buffet is on and a chance to meet old friends and colleagues. Looking forward to the usual good turnout.
For more details phone 0191 5489606 or 07940 743795.
A Fannen,
Southwick,
Sunderland