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WHAT a proud man John Sloan must have been on his visit to HMS Chiddingfold (Echo, Oct 23). I noticed he was wearing his silver badge and the badge of the Royal Naval Patrol Service that I also served in from 1941-1946 on sweepers, mostly in the Med.

This branch of the Royal Navy isn't well known and doesn't get the publicity it warrants. Our HQ was HMS Europa at Lowestoft, our first sweepers were converted trawlers and drifters often commanded by fishing skippers who were in the RNR.

When the magnetic mine appeared they built all-wood ships, motor minesweepers MMS and BYMS which were Brooklyn Yard Mine Sweepers built in the States. The Patrol Service was known as Harry Yates' Navy because we didn't conform to all the regular codes of conduct expected in the RN.

It was a very dangerous job, we got three pence a day "hard layers money" and lived from day to day. When we got paid and got ashore there were many wild parties.

I used to get The Northern Echo sent out to me although it was old news when I got it. I wonder how many old Patrol Service men are left in the area. It would be nice to have a meeting arranged. - Alan Watson, Bishop Auckland.

MAP READING

SOMETHING written by Mike Amos in his article Handbell Ringers (Echo, Oct 14) didn't ring a bell with me. He commented: "On a scale of one to a mile, Lynesack doesn't exist at all. The Ordnance Survey gets really OS before that dot of a place is acknowledged."

This came as a big surprise to us. On our standard one-and-a-quarter inch to the mile Landranger map of the area, it's there in full colour, complete with its church and beck running through.

We wouldn't dream of hiding such a gem. Time to buy a map, Mike. - Philip Round, Senior Press Officer, Ordnance Survey.

PDSA

COULD I appeal to your readers to save me their used postage stamps to help raise money for the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals)?

The PDSA treats sick animals whose owners cannot afford veterinary fees, and the stamps are sold abroad to raise money for this worthwhile cause.

Please take any stamps to the PDSA shop in Clayton Street, Newcastle (opposite Woolworths) or send them to me to pass on. - Mr T Howarth, Rosehill, 20 Front Street, Tanfield Lea, Stanley, Co Durham, DH9 9RE.

MENCAP

WOULD you like to take part in the MENCAP Sahara Challenge? This could be your once in a lifetime opportunity to experience one of the most remote and breathtakingly beautiful parts of the world. And you will be raising funds to support people with a learning disability to reach their potential.

The Sahara Challenge will take place from the February 10-17, 2001. This unique event will involve cross country running, mountain biking, a self navigating trek, 4x4 driving and a camel trek through parts of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. It will be a truly exhilarating experience.

This fantastic trip is available to anyone with an above average level of fitness. All you need to do is pay a £300 registration fee and then raise a minimum sponsorship requirement (flights, food and accommodation will be included). Mencap will support you every step of the way with training and fund-raising advice.

Please call 0207-696 6009 to receive your free Sahara Challenge pack or e- mail: events Mencap, Freepost, London ECIB 1AA - Arabella Weir, Mencap.

RELIGION

MY old friend Harry Mead wrote an interesting article concerning religion (Echo, Oct 18) to which you printed two responses (HAS, Oct 23).

Although frequently agreeing with Harry's views I must in this instance declare my full support for the letters that challenged his views on Christianity.

In particular, the second paragraph by John Young concerning the truth that there is only one God. I prefer the name Creator and would like to add that it is this love of the Creator for his Creation - and therefore for ALL people - which is the cornerstone for the only hope left for humankind.

Let everyone accept this love and gladly return it and watch the difference. - Gordon Middlemiss, Guisborough.

ARTS CENTRE

IN response to the comments from Christopher Wardell (HAS, Oct 20) who poses the questions "Why does the Arts Centre just concentrate on blues music?" I would like to offer a brief listing of musical events happening at both Darlington Arts Centre and Civic Theatre throughout this autumn.

Carl Rosa Opera - Yeomen of the Guard and Iolanthe by Gilbert and Sullivan; Echo Opera - Tosca by Puccini; The Blues Brothers; The Glen Miller Orchestra; An Evening of Viennese Music; A Tribute Band, featuring Suzette Dorsey; South Pacific - presented by Darlington Operatic Society; BBC Big Band; All American Solid Gold Rock 'n' Roll Show 2000, featuring Bobby Vee; Johnny Tilotson, Brian Hyland, Freddy Cannon and Little Eva; Boney M; The Red Army Chorus; Voulez Vous; The Wildcats of Kilkenny; Joe Brown; Ian Matthews; London Community Gospel Choir.

I could go on and on. The variety of music presented at both venues is limited only by the scope of our imagination. - Peter Cutchie, Head of Theatre and Arts, Darlington.

POLITICS

REGARDING the letter from Dave Pascoe, Hartlepool (HAS, Oct 25) stating Tony Blair would deliver Britain to Europe on a plate, was it not Tory Ted Heath who got us into Europe?

Margaret Thatcher signed the Treaty of Rome and Tory John Major who signed the Maastricht Treaty. At least we have a government that will only go in on its own terms. - WF Nugent, Stockton.