01/10/04

Memory is indeed short in the world of politics.

When, in 1938, Neville Chamberlain, a Conservative prime minister, returned from Germany with his piece of paper proclaiming 'Peace in our Time', I find it hard to believe that in those days of etiquette the signatories, Mr Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler, had not shaken hands on the deal.

Mein Fuhrer, it may be recalled, could certainly have taught Mr Mugabe a thing or two about atrocities. - Ron Hails, Hartlepool.

GREAT NORTH RUN

THE Great North Run was certainly a success and got a big space on television.

How fortunate to have Kelly Holmes to start the race. She captured the hearts of all the Geordies with a smile and a wave as they ran past. What a lovely lady, a credit to the human race. - Jim Ross, Rowlands Gill.

RAY MALLON

WOULD it not have been more humble of the Mayor of Middlesbrough to have paid his speeding fine without having his latest tiresome dig at his ex-employers Cleveland Police?

Nobody is remotely interested in the rights or wrongs of whether a sign was illuminated or not because, by Ray Mallon's own admission, he was travelling at 75mph anyway, thus breaking the speed limit allowed on our roads.

He calls this a 'lapse in concentration'. I call it poor driving. - Joe Wellthorpe, North Ormesby.

So Ray Mallon has thrown in his lot with the North-East Labour Party establishment.

Who would have thought it, after all the garbage that bunch have chucked at him at one time and another?

As for his extreme, indeed ecstatic, enthusiasm for their pet project, the regional assembly, that shows us his true priorities more than anything else.

Regarding the assembly, I urge everyone before voting to ask themselves: what comes first, my nation or my region? It must be your nation.

Even if the assembly were intended to benefit the North-East, as distinct from many influential people in the North- East, I would not touch it with a barge pole. It is part of a plan to break up the UK, our mother country, to make us more amenable to domination by Brussels. As such, it needs fighting all the way.

Back to Mr Mallon. As one of those 'serial letter-writers' whom he contemptuously scoffs at as not 'real people', I would remind him that some of us went out on a limb to back him when his new chums were doing their damnedest to blight his career and future. - Tony Kelly, Crook.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

FOR many years I served in the British Army, several of those years in the Airborne.

It was a privilege to attend the 60th anniversary of Arnhem. We visited the commemoration and wreath laying at the bridge in Arnhem, parachute drop at Ginkel Heath by veterans and serving soldiers, and the memorial service and laying of flowers by children at Oosterbeck cemetery.

To meet and speak to the veterans is something which will live with me forever. The children and the attitude of the Dutch were overwhelming.

For example, a local in his early 70s explained what happened 60 years ago, pointing to an area where many paratroopers were killed or wounded; he was in tears. Young children thanking the veterans and asking for their autographs. We must never forget those who gave their ultimate.

At 11am on Sunday November 14, 2004, in the grounds of the Memorial Hospital, Darlington, a Remembrance Service will be held, to honour all those who give their life so we can live in freedom. All are welcome, please remember to buy your poppy; all monies go towards helping veterans and their families. - D Allender, Darlington.

IMMIGRATION

F WEALANDS (HAS, Sept 18) blames immigrants, among others, for the state of Britain.

The writer states that the country has been swamped with immigrants and our beautiful countryside taken to house them.

Both points are untrue. Firstly, the vast majority of asylum seekers head for countries neighbouring their own. Often these countries lack wealth and the infrastructure and receive insufficient help from Britain.

Secondly, the countryside is being lost as more and more houses are being built for white, middle-class families. Immigrants are more likely to reside in poor inner city areas while being subjected to abuse from bigots who choose to ignore the moral responsibility Britain has towards immigrants.

This country has assisted in the creation of the asylum seeker problem through foreign policy and arms sales.

Regarding his Big Brother comments, I do not believe smoking and drinking restrictions or a hunting ban are steps towards the creation of a police state as Mr Wealands suggests. They are ingredients of a modern, civilised society based around rights and responsibilities that apply to all. Those of us that act responsibly have no reason to fear CCTV, the police and wardens. - Roger Richardson, Darlington.

WATER SUPPLIES

THE Government wants to force us all to be mass-medicated with chemicals - fluoride put into water supplies in the vain hope it may prevent tooth decay (Echo Sept 22). No other medication is compulsory. We should have the right to choose individually.

Many years of research and trials have proved consistently and conclusively the damage fluoride does to bones, tissue, brain, immune system, and even to teeth. Tooth mottling, fluorosis, is the first visible sign of fluoride poisoning.

Over 50 per cent of fluoride consumed is not eliminated and accumulates in the body for years. The clinical toxity rating of fluoride is equivalent to lead and arsenic. Fluoride is still used as a rat poison, and scientific evidence shows that a family sized tube of fluoride toothpaste contains enough fluoride to kill a small child. This fluoride is a waste produce scraped from industrial chimneys which is costly to dispose of safely.

All the other European countries have banned or abandoned water fluoridation as being unsafe and ineffective. We should not allow this evil cocktail to be forced upon us. So, if you are asked, say 'No' to fluoridation, and its hazardous effects. - A Hall, National Pure Water Association, Darlington.

HISTORY

I DON'T know much about the history of the Duchy of Lancaster, but I do know that Harry Mead was guilty of several howlers in just one sentence (Echo, Sept 15).

Let me help him. Henry III couldn't possibly have given a son rights to the Duchy in 1627 as he died in 1272. The first Tudor king was Henry VII who became king on the death of the last Plantagenet king in 1485. The king in 1627 was Charles I, who, of course, was a Stuart, and descended from Mary Queen of Scots.

Now can Harry please do his research correctly and tell us who really did own the Duchy and when? - Teresa Sutton, Bishop Auckland.