STEAM

GEORGE Stephenson was not an inventor (Echo, Nov 28), he was an exploiter of other people's inventions.

Steam was first successfully used by the ancient Greeks in the second century BC. Though they did not get around to using it for driving vehicles before they were overthrown by the Romans.

The prototype locomotive for the Stockton and Darlington Railway was Locomotion which is preserved in Darlington's North Road Museum. Rocket came eight years later for the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester railway. - B Langford, Richmond.

EUROPE

YOUR comment column (Echo, Nov 23) supported Tony Blair in his stripping our run down defences to appease his Brussels-based advisers by handing over an armed force complete with hardware to be known as a Rapid Reaction Force.

There are vast numbers of us ex-servicemen and women who served through World War Two who do not trust the continental associates or Mr Blair.

He is only a politician, not a military strategist. The British have successfully managed to preserve our interests and freedom world-wide for many centuries with our base just 22 miles distant and Mr Blair should not take it upon himself to change anything that may imperil our armed forces.

Wars are very dangerous situations. Trust plays an important role. We have to rely on each other. That trust would not exist. Mr Blair is devoted to Europe and his devious and subversive activities are weaving a net which will gradually ensnare our country with no means of escape. - GW Bainbridge, Hartlepool.

I AGREE with the suggestion that Tony Blair should be tried for treason (HAS, Nov 25).

He is gradually signing away this country's heritage and ability to rule its own destiny. And our taxes will have to rise to fund Eastern Europe.

There is no mandate for any of this. - JE Antrobus, Redcar.

LANGUAGE

I WAS interested to read your article on the front page (Echo, Nov 25), regarding the imposition of "internationally standardised" English spelling in schools.

The same thing can be seen in English pronunciation. Here we have a word of long standing in the language, harass, which in the last decade or so has changed its accent from the first to the second syllable.

It has been my contention for some years that language is a far greater mark of nationality than anything else and thus I cannot see how people can accept these changes and then argue against such things as the adoption of the 'euro' as a unit of currency.

As was said in your article, the drive for this change is largely transatlantic and one must remember that, in the US, a large proportion of the population is of non-British origin. - JT Barraclough, Newton Aycliffe.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SINCE the introduction of a cabinet style council by Sedgefield Borough Council there has been concern by the public that decisions affecting their everyday lives were being made in secret, and the cabinet could more or less do what they liked.

The cabinet leader, in an obvious attempt to calm these fears, has been quoted several times as saying the cabinet did not make decisions, it had discussions and made recommendations. Decisions were made by the executive committee.

Well, that sounds okay doesn't it? At least there is a body, ie the executive committee, to keep the cabinet under control.

Unfortunately what the cabinet leader did not say was that the exact same nine councillors who make up the cabinet are the exact same nine councillors who make up the executive committee.

In other words the cabinet make recommendations to themselves in the executive committee. What chance here of a recommendation being thoroughly checked or rejected?

I wonder how they perform their different roles, do they move out of the cabinet room in the executive committee room, or do they just sit tight and turn their hats back to front?

Gilbert and Sullivan would have welcomed this wonderful ready made plot for one of their comic operas. - PA Eddy, Spennymoor.

TABOO

I CAN'T understand all the criticism of Judith Keppel. Now Hayley Gyllenspetz (Echo, Nov 27) goes on about her knowledge of Eleanor of Aquitaine due to seeing her tomb in France.

I knew this answer because I was taught English history, culture and ethnic background (non taboo, non PC subjects now) when I was at school. - RM Kelly, Chester le Street.

POLICE

I AM responding to the letter from D Carter (HAS, Nove 28). Every application received by Durham Constabulary is given careful consideration and has to meet criteria in a number of areas relevant to the potential to become a police officer.

Age is not a criteria under the selection process, other than meeting the minimum requirement of 18 years old.

As well as several male offices recruited aged 40+, we have recently employed a female candidate aged 41 years.

We firmly believe that mature women and men have a lot to offer Durham Constabulary and the people of County Durham and Darlington.

We welcome all unsuccessful candidates to contact us for feedback on their application.

I have personally written to D Carter and invited her to contact me at the Recruitment Department, Durham Constabulary Headquarters to discuss her application. - Inspector Elaine Taylor, Durham Constabulary.

LOCAL HEROES

A SINCERE thank you and very well done to all concerned - The Northern Echo, Darlington Building Society, Century Radio and the many staff members - who created and organised Local Heroes Awards 2000.

What a tremendous incentive to young people in all sports, to be so generously recognised for their achievements, sometimes against all odds.

The awards ceremony at Darlington Football Club was brilliant, a spectacular occasion. My grandson, Aidan Dees, received a special achievement award for football and he and his family will remember with great pride his special night. Thanks again. - Mary Armstrong, Crook.