SPENDING PRIORITIES

CATTERICK Garrison is finally going to get a £20m swimming pool and sports complex (Echo, July 3). Great news for the military and civilian population. Even better news for the champagne-popping county and district councils which will no doubt celebrate and the developers who will build it.

But stop. What consolation is this to the servicemen and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan - the very same soldiers who have no body armour, bullets, footwear, radios that don't work, little water (let alone a swimming pool), etc?

It appears on the face of things that the £19m share of this leisure complex being met by the Ministry of Defence could have been utilised better.

- Raymond Martin, Aiskew, Bedale.

SCHOOL REUNION

MAY I say a big thank you to all who attended the Hurworth School reunion at Headlam Hall, Gainford, County Durham. It was so nice to meet up with old friends and catch up with happenings throughout the year. After 60 or so years it is quite an achievement. The reunion next year is scheduled for Saturday, July 5. - Doreen Turner (nee Hodgson), Thirsk.