AS a frequent driver through rural Northumberland, I find it depressing to see how many boarded up pubs there are in quaint little villages.

I therefore find it very refreshing when I go home and see my local, The Dene, on Dovedale Road, Seaburn Dene, "bucks the trend" and looking very smart and inviting with colourful sun parasols in the gardens and a very pleasant smoking area outside.

This pub has been my local for over 35 years and it is just now that we have the designed pub we have always wanted and one of the best if not the best landlord, family and staff we have ever had.

It is a most welcoming pub with good grub at a good price. It supports a golf society and boasts one of the best Wednesday night quizzes in the North East (maybe I am a bit biased because I am the resident quizmaster), and a Tuesday night sports quiz, pot the lot and killer pool. It also has many charity events to raise money for Sunningdale School, a very special school that caters for special needs children of whom Tanni Grey-Thompson is the patron.

It is unfortunate that the pub once had unfounded complaints of noise and nuisance but I can honestly say that I, and most residents who live in close proximity of the pub and I do know many of the neighbours, have no complaints. It is just a quiet and comfortable family estate pub.

Why not give your local pub support and keep it this way or may be one day it will become one of the many boarded-up pubs which encourages crime such as vandalism, arson and antisocial behaviour.
Dennis Morgan

System fails victims
I WAS astonished to read the letter from "Michael of Emmerson's Solicitors" (Echo, June 13), suggesting that anyone offering an opinion on the criminal justice system should first "attend court and view the system in process."

I certainly don't need to attend court to know that releasing murderers, rapists and child abusers before the end of their sentences is fundamentally wrong. In any case, the last time I checked, we had freedom of speech in this country. My lay opinion counts just the same as that of any solicitor.

How breathtakingly arrogant for a professional to suggest that without a trip to a local court to observe justice in progress, a citizen's opinion constitutes a "rabid rant."

I work with families bereaved through murder and manslaughter and can assure Michael that when he says "victims have a voice" he shows a very superficial knowledge of the facts. I can introduce him to hundreds of such victims from every corner of the UK, each with their own devastating stories of how the criminal justice system has failed them – and how they are deprived of a voice.

While convicted murderers are provided with almost unlimited legal, social, medical and educational support in prison, those whose lives have been destroyed by their actions are left with comparatively little support. The suggestion that they need to spend time observing court procedures before expressing their views is deeply insulting. Michael should be ashamed.
Neil Atkinson, on behalf of National Victims' Association
www.victimsfirst.co.uk

So sorry for family
MY heart goes out to Brenda and her family. I could not believe what I was hearing when they gave Brent's killers shorter sentences.

I also feel sorry for the parents of the accused but what they did is unforgivable; the way they ran after Brent and he was begging for them to be his friends. What kind of animals are they?

When I saw Brent's mam on TV I was crying, just thinking about how I would feel if it was my own son. I would break my heart.

It's true what Brenda said. What is the use of all the petitions getting signed and all the marches? It is devastating for Brent's family and all other families.

Brent's twin sister is right; the judge is setting the wrong example. Kill and you get off lightly. It does not matter how old you are.

When they get out they will still be young and still have a life to live. They will probably get help like clothes, somewhere to live, furniture bought and all the help they need from decent working class people who pay tax.
Good luck Brenda, Don't stop fighting for justice.
J Nicholson,
East Herrington,
Sunderland

Flies have flown
FOR years now Newbottle and surrounding areas have been inundated with flies for most of the year ... so why so far this year has this not been the case.

Don't get me wrong, I say good riddance to them. However I am mystified as to why this year until today I have not had a horde of the little blighters taking residence in my home. Does anyone have the answer?
Mrs G Hall,
Cathedral View,
Newbottle

Safe from war in The Prospect bar
THE news has reached me here in London that The Prospect Hotel in Sunderland is to be redeveloped and could be demolished, a feat that the German Luftwaffe failed to achieve during the Second World War.

I remember The Prospect well and it loomed large in my life for many years. I could not avoid it as our house in Primate Road looked directly across at it. I also had to pass it to get to Barnes School and then to work.

My father was a very regular patron, seven nights a week plus lunchtime on Saturday and Sunday.

I remember all the characters that used to frequent it and the antics they got up to on a Saturday night, or any night of the week for that matter.

I also enclose a Christmas card my daughter made for me to send to friends and family as a bit of fun a couple of years ago. The photograph on the card was taken from my house in the winter of 1961/62. I also wrote the rhyme which I now realise makes a fitting epitaph to The Prospect.
Billy Rose,
Edmonton,
London

THE PROSPECT HOTEL
History: World War II, the Blitz, 1940-45
ON the edge of town, the hub of Plains Farm
The regulars were certain they'd come to no harm.
Packed out nightly, a pub of renown,
The safest shelter in all the town.

The docks ablaze, the East End alight,
Shipyards burning throughout the night.
Churches destroyed, Perth Road attacked,
The majestic Prospect remained intact.
Men toiling in town, clearing land mines in smoke,
The Prospect never even had one window broke.
It's said all's fair in love and war,
They were safe from the war in the Prospect bar.
Billy Rose, 2006


I really needed fuel
I READ the Echo's comment "Petrol panic will cause problems" recently.
How many times has the Government warned people that panic buying at the pumps will make problems escalate and leave more garages without fuel?

Friday, June 13, was truly what it is said to be because of peoples' ignorance and selfishness. I genuinely needed fuel, not like some other people.

A queue had formed outside the Esso garage in Seaham and back onto the main road, stopping traffic passing. When I tried to turn into the garage I had a narrow escape when this driver nearly ploughed into my driver's side – speeding up on the wrong side of the road.

When I finally got into the forecourt, I was shouted at with abuse and to round it off, after queuing for 25 minutes, a sign was put up, No Fuel.

I parked at home, unable to use it while others drove with full tanks of petrol. It's annoying when people ignore the advice they are given.
Robert Etherington,
Seaham

Stunned by grief
I AM shocked, stunned and overwhelmed with silent grief for Brent Martin, his mother and twin Daniell who, like myself are ashamed at the result of the three monsters' appeal.

I did at least expect their terms to be increased for the brutality of their actions which, by all accounts, they celebrated. They had used him as a kind friend but Brent's savings had dwindled so it all ended in the most savage, brutal way.

If the judges concluded this murder was not sadistic, may they never have to make such an appalling decision again. Think of the lifetime of suffering all victims' families and friends endure.

The Echo's front page on June 18 was the date of my only son's birth. He would have been 58 years old but was killed by a careless driver who was fined a paltry sum when I was in hospital with my third pregnancy which had to be terminated.

I am in my 85th year now and know I won't be around when these three monsters are released but I know what I would like to do if I was.
I hope they will never be allowed to forget.

My sincere thanks to Mr Johnson and all the people who supported his appeal, Enough is Enough, taken to Downing Street. I gave my support too, but was unable to travel to London. What a let-down for all the families and friends who took part. Where do we go from here? Don't give up the fight.
E Parker,
Hylton Road,
Sunderland

Primark problems
A FEW weeks ago Channel 4 advertised a programme to be shown on a Sunday evening about Primark.

I switched on the television only to be told that the programme had been cancelled and a film was to be shown in its place. This made me wonder why such a well-advertised programme had been cancelled and what had been going on behind the scenes.

A few days ago the BBC advertised that Panorama was to feature Primark. Unfortunately, I was not able to see that programme but I gathered some snippets from the radio.

I learned that Primark is run by a Mr Arthur Ryan who lives in Dublin. He was described as a shy person who shuns publicity.

The radio said Panorama discovered that children have been involved in the manufacture of clothes for Primark and that women in India are paid 52p a day.

I hope to find out more information about Primark as I am most interested in what Panorama disclosed.
J Watson,
Millfield,
Sunderland

I AM trying to trace two cousins, daughters of the late George and Elizabeth or Edith Fisher. Girls' names, Elizabeth and Edith Fisher of the Hendon area of Sunderland. I am led to believe one of the girls married, name of Taylor and still resides in the Hendon Area. If anyone knows of Elizabeth or Edith or their whereabouts I would be most grateful if they would phone me on 0191 5659115.
Di Fisher

MY grandfather, Gibson Kirk was born 1902, died December 27, 1969. He was a quite well-known Castletown man and a well-known character. He was on the committee of Castletown WMC for 24 years and he was also on the management committee of Ryhope/Silksworth Co-op Society. I would like to hear from anyone who knew him that could give me any information, stories, anecdotes or photographs of him.
V Appleyard,
76 Ventnor Avenue,
Hartlepool, TS25 5NA
Tel. 01429 291706
vappleorchard@ntlworld.com

I AM trying to contact James Christie, known as Jimmy. He once lived in Argyle Square, in the city centre of Sunderland and is about late fifties or early sixties. He has a sister named Anne and a brother, possibly called John. I understand he later moved to the Southwick area. I would be grateful if anyone can help me with any information. I can be contacted on 01915280893 or via email at amanda_malcolm@hotmail.co.uk
Amanda Thomson (nee Howe)

LOOKING for ex-A&P shipyard workers, lost touch when I left the North East in 1989, especially apprentices from 1972 /1976. Please contact M Blumer on 07717798846 or m.blumer@sky.com
M Blumer