'Dark ages' a happier time; VIEWPOINTS.

IT is unlikely that anyone in this country who is under the age of 65 will be able to recall what it was like for years without street lighting, and no visible lights from the houses around you or in shop windows.

How many people who lived through those dark depressing days can recall some of the government advice given to citizens to help them to manage some of the difficulties of going outside from a lighted room into total darkness.

Advice like "close one eye, and keep it closed, before you go outside, and you will be able to see because one eye is used to the darkness" or "don't light your cigarette or pipe without first closing one eye".

These things worked well. You should try it sometime.

After darkness had fallen, roads and streets were depressing places. People out walking would invariably greet those approaching them in the opposite direction.

You wouldn't know who was approaching you until you recognised their voices, and if they recognised your voice they would greet you using your name and as soon as they did so you would know who they were.

We were all in it together.

Community spirit ruled supreme.

Was it better in those far off days? On balance, I think it probably was.

TG Noel Egerton Heol Cefn Mabli Lisvane, Cardiff