THERE was a time when I wasn't a great fan of royalty, although I've always admired Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

But the Jubilee celebrations have been truly magical. I, for one, appreciate the way the Queen and the Royal Family have opened their homes and hearts to the British nation. The concert at the palace on Monday evening was something else and what a fantastic picture and sound of one of the world's greatest guitar players, Brian May, against the dusky London skyline from the palace rooftop!

I was personally moved by the loyalty of Commonwealth nations in the jubilee procession. It brings it home even more how much we don't need EU diktat when we have such great friends in the Commonwealth with whom we can work in mutual friendship and interest.

Maybe it is time some of the stiff formalities expected of the Royals were dropped so that they themselves can relax, such as Charles and Camilla ought to be allowed to marry. It is so obvious these two are in love and meant for each other. - Bethany Megan Robinson, Darlington.

IF our monarch doesn't rule via divine right, then the monarchy might just as well go west.

Why? This is its chief claim to fame. And yours truly favours our unelected monarchy.

It actually suits me to see the monarchy as chosen by God. Dieu et mon droit, runs the royal motto. Translated into English this means, "God and my right". - AH Lister, Guisborough.

FOOT-AND-MOUTH

WHILE it is good to see an individual farmer "done" for cruelty and incompetence, let us not forget that farmers from all over the North of England and Scotland seem to have sent their "spent" sows and pigs to Bobby Waugh's farm.

Where are all these farmers now? Why did they not blow the whistle on Waugh? I'll tell you why, because livestock farming is a nasty business and animals are just a product. That is why it was an animal sanctuary, Hillside, and not the farming community, who kept getting the authorities in to see the plight of the animals.

It was interesting to note that at one point in his trial Bobby Waugh described the pigs he took as "rubbish".

The farmers who got rid of their "spent" and "rubbish" animals to the Waugh farm should be culpable for the animals' plight on this farm. And, as taxpayers, it is also worth noting that Bobby Waugh, like so many of the farming industry, was given compensation for foot-and-mouth. - S Starkey, Kent.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

ALMOST every week a new form of crime prevention is trotted out at the cost of millions of pounds.

When will the powers that be realise that until the courts start making the punishment fit the crime, they may as well put the money down thedrain?

Prison is supposed to be a punishment, not a rest home between crimes.

Basic human rights. Yes! Food and board, not TV, videos, snooker etc. Many people who have led blameless lives can't afford the luxuries which criminals seem to think are their God-given right. - Mrs A Brown, Seaton Carew.

TONY BLAIR

I HAVE lived a lot of years and love my country. I gave five-and-a-half years fighting for freedom.

When I think of all the men, women and children who lost their lives in the last war, it makes me sick to think what Tony Blair and his puppet MPs are doing and have done to our country and our way of life.

To be blunt, I would say the man is anti-English and hell-bent in selling our nation down the river and into Europe with him being top dog in Euroland and our once proud country finishing up as a nonentity with our laws and customs taken away.

Mr Blair has been a complete disaster and I am at a loss as to why our Labour MPs, or at least some of them, have not the guts to fight back instead of being puppets on a string.

Just look at the Dome, law and order, transport, immigration, Gibraltar, postal upset, millions of pounds wasted etc.

I sincerely hope that our people wake up to reality and just realise that, if Blair gets his way, our country will be lost and sunk into the European cesspit of corruption. - F Wealand, Darlington.

Richmond MEET

RICHMOND has just enjoyed four days of celebrations, thanks to the 110th Richmond Meet.

What a wonderful way to prove that Richmond is alive and kicking. This Jubilee Meet - the biggest Meet gathering for some years - will have created many lasting memories.

What a superb way of combining the town's traditional Bank Holiday Meet with the country's Jubilee celebrations.

As their guest this year, I was astounded by the amount of work involved, the number of participating organisations and the army of volunteers needed to ensure a successful weekend.

My lasting memory is of the sheer sense of delight, enthusiasm and fun, which pervaded the whole celebration.

Thank you all for a brilliant series of events. I am, now more than ever, convinced that Richmond owes you one. You have done us proud. - Stuart Parsons, Richmond Town Mayor.