A world of difference between rich celebrities and workers.

Jane Hall seems to imply that retirement at a later age is something we should look forward to.

We are given seven names of working pensioners who are either billionaires, i.e. the Queen, Rupert Murdoch, or mere multi-millionaires, i.e. Bruce Forsyth, Judi Dench. On the other hand we see a picture of the ubiquitous B&Q employee enjoying his work experience.

Good luck to him. It obviously suits the gentleman concerned. It would certainly not appeal to me, nor, I suspect, to many people who think that at 60/65 it is long enough to be in paid employment.

There is, I would suggest to Jane Hall, a world of difference between Rupert Murdoch or Bruce Forsyth's working day, which is their choice, and a 66-year-old security guard or building site labourer forced out in all weathers to secure an income until the state decides he is entitled to a basic pension.

In conclusion, I would suggest that the taxes and NI contributions paid over a 40-year working life should be more than enough to finance a decent retirement. Unfortunately, however, successive governments have managed to squander far too much revenue and the ordinary people, as usual, pick up the bill.

DCZ THOMPSON,

Whickham.

Why not just agree to differ over The Sage appearance?

MY attitude to the external appearance of The Sage is somewhat ambivalent. The development appears to be a series of conventional buildings, especially the classic "shoebox" concert hall, covered by a giant glass tent.

Norman Wardle dislikes its shape, whilst Ian Hall (Letters, November 29) is unstinting in his praise.

Unfortunately Mr Hall allowed his enthusiasm to tempt him into criticism of Mr Wardle's opinion, seeming to assume that his viewpoint is broad and typical whilst Mr Wardle's, as he alleges, is untypical and narrow.

On a subject where unanimity is probably impossible why not just agree to differ?

PHILIP WARREN,

Gosforth,

Newcastle.

Community project closing because of funds shortage

I, ALONG with many others, received a very restrictive invitation to join the National Postcode Lottery by an organisation with charitable registration named Goodfund of Newcastle.

It indicates the monies collected by the Direct Debit at pounds 2 a ticket go to six northern charities after prize distribution and other expenses (salaries, admin, etc).

One of the six NE charities listed on a glossy pamphlet as "One of six NE Charities which always win" is an item No. 3 entitled "Making Communities Sustainable." The preamble states "Groundwork is a regeneration charity working to improve your local community and create a better environment and success of local businesses requiring investment and support." In the Bensham area a well used community project catering for pre-school children and other sections of the community is closing because of a lack of funding.

No doubt they will gladly accept support from "Groundwork" especially when it is their people who are predominantly funding them.

D MITCHELL,

Gateshead.

Hold that turkey and think about what you're doing

AN ancient Greek, Plutarch, was a notable writer of his time, including Lives of the Noble Greeks and Romans, providing stories for several of Shakespeare's plays.

His views still appear remarkably modern. In his moral essay Of Eating Flesh, he gives his reasons for not eating meat by challenging those who do. "I, for my part, am astonished that you can put in your mouth the corpse of a dead animal, astonished that you do not find it nasty to chew hacked flesh and swallow the juices of death-wounds!"

Elsewhere he wrote, "For the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light and of that proportion of life and time it has been born into the world to enjoy."

Unfortunately, at this time of year millions of "souls" are deprived of life as we celebrate the birth and life of Christ.

MARJORIE EMBLING,

Hunwick, County Durham.

Perhaps we should look at upgrading track to raise speed

IF the people looking at ways of creating a faster Newcastle to Carlisle rail link think closing lesser used stations is the only answer then perhaps they should look at track upgrades to raise the line speed from the present 65mph (only in certain places). Even the hopeless Pacer railbuses have a 75mph maximum speed.

IAN HUNTER,

Haltwhistle.

Let's have a new priority

EDUCATION, Education, Education. Well, that top priority has not been much of a success.

Maybe they should try another priority, Simplify, Simplify, Simplify. At least that would save us a lot of hard work and worry.

J M METCALF

Alnwick.

Was Berwick ever considered?

MAY I be allowed to comment on the letter written by Norman Wardle about market towns? Was Berwick even in the running?

We haven't got gardens but we do have a castle, although it is in ruins. Also, Berwick is the most fought over town in the country and Berwick Walls are the best in the land. We have the oldest barracks in the country. The Town Hall is well worth a visit.

Berwick is steeped in history. We also have riverside walks and a pier which gives lovely views of Spittal and Tweedmouth. Well done Hexham, but was Berwick ever considered?

BASIL COXON,

Berwick.

Town and country

IN response to C. Harrison of Ingoe on the subject of wind turbines.

With regards to these turbines being built in my home town of Wallsend. What a wonderful idea! This would only show that we Tynesiders, unlike some, really care about the environment and renewable energy.

But the countryside should still share some of the burden as well and quite frankly stop being a haven for the select "few" who are stifling new ideas.

Mr G Williams,

Wallsend.

Creation of nation's money supply effectively privatised

THE Journal is right to be suspicious of PFI, beyond the smoke and mirrors lies a very simple but extremely profitable practice that Gillian Swanson exposed in her letter on pensions.

Successive governments have effectively privatised the creation of the nation's money supply. The valuable seniorage rights of the nation have been handed over to private banks by the tolerance of a practice known as Fractional Reserve Banking.

As cash is no longer in demand banks can afford to back the electronic money they create with remarkably low levels of cash deposits. This level is around 5% which permits banks to create pounds 20 for every legal tender pound they hold. If they were required to back their accounts with 100% of legal tender it would mean the Government could spend this money into the economy rather than borrow it from the banks via dubious schemes such as PFI.

Modern money, unbacked by gold or any other commodities, is virtually free to create. It's absurd that private banks should benefit from this and not the nation as a whole.

Mark Harms,

Clara Vale.

An extra hour in bed would help reduce emissions

WE'VE got to save energy. It's official. It's a dismal thought; we have to drive less, turn the lights off, not leave the computer on standby, and wear fingerless gloves indoors.

This is all well and good I suppose but I can't see it catching on. I have a better idea that will bring immediate benefits and make everyone happy as well. There's no hardship involved. In fact it will do us good. The British work the longest hours in Europe. The British winter is dark and miserable first thing in the morning. We should be in bed.

What used to be called "laziness" is in fact "energy efficiency". By staying in bed a little longer on winter mornings you can do your bit to save the planet. October through March would be "British Winter Time".

If the entire population got up an hour later we could make a real difference to the UK CO2 emissions.

So, do your bit, ask your employer, write to your MP, demand your extra hour now and start saving energy tomorrow.

Robert Handyside,

Swarland.