You Write

As well as being a regular cinemagoer, I had the pleasure of working at Robins some years ago, so know first hand its value to the community.

Every week the Robins Cinema provides entertainment for every section of society - toddlers off to see Disney, school kids dropped off while their parents go shopping, pensioners out for the matinee, students and the unemployed taking advantage of discounted tickets, lonely regulars going every week to see a film alone but in company, disabled people, film buffs looking forward to the latest Film Club presentation, couples out for their first date and teenagers meeting friends in a large group and having a cheap, safe night out.

How can an Australian theme bar compete with this?

In my opinion a cinema is as essential to a town as a library and a sports centre. I hope that something can be done quickly to full the void that will be created by Robins closure, and another bar will be no compensation.

Sophie Ward, Durham.

Flawed case

SIR - Mick Bennett put Durham City Council's case rather disingenuously earlier this month (You Write, December 7).

It is true that with full agreement the council encouraged Robins Cinema. It is true that Robins is a private business and as such the council cannot control it. But it is not true that the decision to close had nothing to do with the council.

The original Walkergate scheme was deeply flawed. It was inadequately thought out and inappropriate. There was never going to be a high enough demand in Durham to fill a five or six-screen cinema.

Giving planning permission for a multi-screen cinema did, however, sound the death knell for Robins. From that point on commercially sensible decisions were made.

It is true that, with some investment, the wide-screen cinema in the Gala can be adapted to show mainstream films.

But next time Labour, if you get the chance, do things properly - go out to tender. But the electors have had enough and you won't get a next time.

Sue Pitts, Durham City councillor

Shock survey

SIR - While on holiday I asked my fellow travellers by how much their council tax had gone up in 2002-2003. Not one had risen over nine per cent.

My quick survey covered England, Wales and Scotland; different make up of councils and districts - city through to rural.

All were pretty shocked when I told them of ours and the fact that all our councillors had free computers at council tax payers' expense (top of the range, of course). I wonder how much the courses are to train them in the use of said computers?

Didn't Durham once have a good ice rink and couldn't the council have helped to keep it? The ice rink in the square by the library is pathetic.

Now Robins Cinema has been axed and yippee, in its place another booze joint.

Regarding the letter, Who killed Robins? (You Write, November 16), please don't give the council ideas about turning the cathedral into a pub (the Prince Bishop theme bar) - or are they already working on this?

As for the letter Is this a record? (You Write, November 9) I, too, have actually seen a passenger on the cathedral bus. Believe me, passengers who wait for the No 62 to Brasside on North Road have plenty of time to observe the said bus - No 62 buses are often as rare as passengers on the Cathedral service.

G Percy, Brasside

Money-go-round

SIR - On Monday the pension service told me I was to receive £100 winter fuel allowance - tax free. Tuesday brought news that pensions are to rise by £2 per week next year.

On Wednesday my luck changed. Gordon Brown revealed in his pre-Budget report that yields from council tax have grown by £16.6bn, a rise of 43 per cent above inflation, over the past five years.

Encouraged by the success of this little jape, the Chancellor told us he plans to raise council tax next year by 16 per cent.

I have a dilemma. Do I spend my winter fuel allowance frivolously on gas or electricity or do I leave the money in the bank to help pay next year's council tax?

I cannot possibly risk being sent to jail for non-payment of council tax. Our jails are crowded and although probably comfortable enough are a drain on Mr Brown's resources.

Perhaps the best solution is to go down to the charity shop and buy a couple of blankets. Charity blankets are reasonably priced nowadays - what with the closure of Sangatte and the Government directive suggesting secondhand items should not be offered to those seeking asylum here on the grounds that they should not be given the impression that their country of refuge is in any way impoverished.

Brian Clouston, Durham.

Wall of silence

SIR - How long has Durham City Council had this policy not to answer letters from the general public?

I've written three times since October 13, including to the Director of Communications, to no avail.

Sometime ago I applied for a reduction in my council tax as I felt I was paying too much.

After several weeks I was informed my income was over the limit as I had £34 a week capital income.

Not knowing what this meant, I wrote and kept on writing. Maybe Meadowfield has been moved to another country and nobody has bothered to let us know.

Is it possible you could get an answer? It's obvious they don't understand my English.

Mrs P Young, Durham City

Light progress

SIR - On behalf of Durham City Forum, we would like to respond to the letter (You Write, week ending December 7) regarding the Christmas lights in Durham City.

Earlier in the year it was recognised that the existing set of Christmas lights was nearing the end of its useful life and becoming more costly to repair. Through the City Centre Manager, the forum approached the city council regarding the provision of new lights.

The cost, not only of providing new lights but of erecting, dismantling and storing them, was such that this proposal could only be undertaken on a three-year rolling programme which would see the provision of new lights built up over that period.

The city council has committed its usual Christmas lights budget to this programme.

With help from the forum, the Chamber of Trade and other retailers in the city, the first years lights have been put in place, coupled with the introduction of the ice rink at the Millennium Place and the holding of the Christmas Festival to give a kick start to the festive season.

This selection of lights will be increased considerably both next year and the year after until Durham has a set of Christmas lights of which it can be justifiably proud. With more and more retailers supporting the forum and its aims, it is hoped the range of Christmas activities can be further increased.

Colin Wiles and Peter Bennion, joint chairmen, Durham City Forum Ltd.

Could the writer of the letter on behalf of the residents of Musgrave Gardens, Kepier Crescent and The Moorlands please supply a contact name and address for the group's letter to be considered for publication.