FRENCH BLOCKADE

IT IS to be hoped that the trawler men and road hauliers who are currently whole-heartedly supporting the actions of the French in their industrial actions of blockading ports and petrol stations, have well taken note of the letter of Martin Callahan, MEP Conservative, North East Region (HAS, Sept 5), who stated "article 26 of the proposed Charter of Fundamental Rights would enshrine the right to strike".

He goes on to say: "Conservatives at Westminster and Brussels will be doing their utmost to ensure the UK remains a competitive and strike free economic area."

Will the trawler men and hauliers look to the French to save them in any future Tory government? - Name and address supplied.

BRITISH NATIONAL PARTY

THE article by Dawn Turnbull (Echo, Sept 9) regarding the BNP leaflet struck me as extremely biased; your reporter appears to have gone out of her way to ensure she obtained the opinions of those who could be expected to oppose the BNP.

I do not know any of the people referred to, nor am I a member of any political party, nevertheless it would appear fair reporting to obtain a much wider view before publishing such a one-sided article.

There are people, many one suspects, that believe much harm has been done to the country by "nave do-gooders" over the last 30 years or so. Why shouldn't such views be aired? - D Fawcett, Northallerton.

I HAVE never read such a piece of sensational rubbish, Disgust at BNP, (Echo, Sept 5), more suited to the News of the World than The Northern Echo.

The BNP was spot on with its comment: "The bleeding heart Liberals who have spent the last 30 years or so turning our society into one where the rights of criminals and perverts count for more than the rights of innocent children and their families."

All the newspapers discussed the Sarah Payne case in huge detail, many in a much more harsh and blatantly sensational way.

If wanting a tougher line on violent crime, sex crime and paedophiles is extremist then count the vast majority of people in. - J Watson, York.

Billingham

IT'S nice to know that Billingham is one of the cheapest places in Britain to live (Echo, Aug 28).

Let us hope that when the upcoming promised regeneration of the town centre has been completed, Billingham will not only be financially attractive as a town, but will have leisure facilities - ice rink, swimming pool, sports halls, theatre etc - and a revitalised shopping precinct to rival any in the North-East.

After waiting so very long for something to be done, Billingham people deserve no less than the best. We are looking forward to seeing action on the regeneration scheme in the very near future. - EA Moralee, Billingham, Stockton.

BREAST CANCER

WHEN I learned that one in ten women in the UK develops breast cancer, my first reaction was 'that could be me'.

Having successfully fought a battle against thyroid cancer in 1998, I am only too aware of the vital role that research plays in finding new ways to detect cancer early and to treat it.

So, I was thrilled to be asked to be patron of The Cancer Research Campaign's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

As a racehorse trainer for more than 40 years, I know that the earlier you can detect a problem with a horse, the more chance you have of being able to correct it. So it is with cancer. In my own case, I was fortunate in having a close friend (a vet actually!) who urged me not to ignore the warning symptoms I was experiencing and to go to my doctor.

It's so important for women to be breast aware by regularly checking their breasts for any lumps or other warning signs.

The great news is that thanks to improved treatment and medical advances made possible by the work of The Cancer Research Campaign, 70 per cent of all cases of breast cancer are now cured. Early detection also plays a vital part in this.

No one spends more than The Cancer Research Campaign on research into breast cancer and the way it impacts on the lives of patients and their families.

That is why I am urging local people to join me in supporting the campaign throughout October by helping raise the vital funds needed to further breast cancer research.

You can do this by taking part in Get in the Pink on Friday, October 6. You'll be among thousands of women (and men!) across the country who will be donning pink clothing to work, having pink coffee mornings or even inviting their friends to a pink champagne party.

You can also help by donning a pink ribbon, available for a donation of £1 from your local Cancer Research Campaign shop, or you can Get Busted, a fabulous Campaign fund-raising event.

Please help us to make breast cancer history. - Jenny Pitman OBE, Patron of the Cancer Research Campaign's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

APOCALYPSE

THE more frenetic and frazzled our world becomes, the more I think we should have a World Go Slow Day. Who knows it might catch on. But unfortunately, I don't credit many people with the sense to see its advantages.

We have got ourselves into a mindless obsession with speed and the nation's health is suffering for it, with more and more absenteeism from work.

Where is it getting us? we must earnestly ask ourselves. In my opinion down a constantly narrowing dark alley.

Unfortunately, with global warming the future will be full of unprecedented storms, winds and so on. Insurance claims are going to be phenomenal. And what are world governments doing about it? Very little it seems.

Their indolence is both frightening and staggering. They refuse to pay off Third World debt and in other spheres we struggle from crisis to crisis.

Carbon dioxide emissions are being lowered, but at a pathetically low rate.

Sadly worldwide apocalypse is just round the corner. Pity our children and grandchildren. - Ken Jackson, Northallerton.

NEIGHBOURS

NEVER have I felt so angry as to feel the need to write this letter. But to see a tree on a neighbour's lawn being wilfully destroyed, her lawn strewn with leaves and twigs by playing children raises the question, what has happened to some of the parents of today?

Do they not care where their children are or what they are doing? I am talking about the time off over the school summer holidays where my street - usually a quiet, peaceful area - has been plagued with children destroying shrubbery, trees and littering the area with sweet papers etc in an effort to amuse themselves.

A mouthful of abuse is received when one tries to enlighten them in the error of their ways.

When I was a youngster our parents and our schools taught us to respect other people's property as well as our own. What do the parents and schools of today's children say? Get out and play and give us a bit of peace.

What about our peace? It is soul destroying to see your hard efforts of tending gardens and lawns being destroyed.

Please mums and dads, tell your children to be more thoughtful to others when out to play. - P Mitchell, Trimdon Village.

UNIVERSITY REUNION

ARE you a graduate of the University of Leicester? If so, you might like to know that Saturday, September 16 is the date of the annual reunion for Leicester graduates.

It is all too easy to lose touch with student friends and the university where you spent three years or more as an undergraduate, so the reunion is an ideal opportunity to get in touch again, find out what your old friends have been doing with their lives and how the university has changed since you were here.

This year's reunion has a definite outer space feel, but there are also opportunities to delve into the treasures of the library, and take an entertaining look at art and science.

Families are welcome, with a daytime children's programme that mixes some of the events you can take part in together with separate supervised activities.

If all this tempts you, I would be delighted to hear from you - even if you are unable to join us on September 16. You can contact me by phone on 0116-252 2195, by fax on 0116-252 5000, or by e-mail at graduate.relationses of t