Each day we hear of stabbing incidents, mainly involving young people. Many take place in our own country.

Knives have been an important part of life for centuries and during my near 70-year association with the Scout movement, a sheath
knife was a proud possession on our belt or smartly placed down a stocking.

Most Scouts also had an ex-Army clasp knife clipped to the belt. Those knives had scores of tasks, including opening a tin of beans. The only time they were removed was during tough games.

Looking back, I cannot remember any incident where another person was deliberately stabbed with a knife. There were odd accidents, but very few.

I'm also sure there are plenty of chaps around who can remember the proud day when their grandad presented them with a penknife to meet emergencies – including the sharpening of a pencil. How handy they were, too.

The world seems to have gone mad, even about the use of a knife. If people would follow the Scout promise and law along with the Ten Commandments they would enjoy a much happier way of life.

From: Mrs K Beanland, Manor Gardens, Kirkbymoorside.

SURELY it is time to take some definite action against the appalling escalation of violence in our country. Let the punishment fit the crime and stop so-called experts making a mockery of justice for these dreadful crimes.

For many appalling murders by usually very young people, the culprits, when caught, should be shown the same lack of mercy they have shown their victims.

Merely being sentenced to youth custody or prison is not enough. They should be given a taste of the pain they have inflicted on others.

They should be soundly thrashed, not once, but each week for the duration of their sentence. No matter if they had deprived childhoods – many, especially in the past, have had to suffer this and other difficulties without turning out violent.

Of course, they should be helped to change their
attitude to life and think of others instead of only themselves.

I accept we do not want to bring back the death penalty, though for premeditated gang murders I could wish it to be so.

These gangs are cowards. The best way to treat such cowardice is to return violence to them – this just might act as a deterrent.

Don't tell me it would harden them – they are already hard.

Drugs and drink are a reason for many crimes – but not
an excuse.

I have great-grandchildren now and do not wish to think of them growing up in this selfish and violent society.

New-fangled psychiatrists and welfare care workers' ideas are not working. Try some old-fashioned disciplinary tactics again. They worked.

From: SL Dickinson, Beeston Road, Leeds.

I AGREE with MW Simpson (Yorkshire Post, July 8). The death penalty must be restored for drug barons.

By the same token, killings by feral youths with knives could be drastically reduced if "stop and search" by police resulted in knives being confiscated.

They should be sentenced to immediate birching. The message would get around.


Museum must retain Barnes Wallis display


From: Ian Robinson, Church Lane, Skelton, York.

THE original Board of Trustees at the Yorkshire Air Museum during its first 15 years purchased the site, erected several new buildings, including two aircraft hangars, restored the flying control building, constructed a Second World War Handley Page Halifax, obtained several fly-in aircraft, instigated the Air Spectacular, and persuaded the Barnes Wallis family to place their exhibits at Elvington – an exhibition which, along with the Halifax, are unique displays internationally.

The present Board of Trustees appears to have a death wish for the museum by getting rid of the fabulous Barnes Wallis display. What next? Transferring the Halifax elsewhere?

Since taking over in 1999, the existing Board's few achievements seem to have been to claim an increase (unverified) in visitor numbers and an increase in fixed overhead costs by several hundred per cent. Little else seems to have developed in the last nine or 10 years.

From: Peter Rix, Chairman, Barnes Wallis Memorial Trust, Pannal, Harrogate.

I WRITE in response to the statements made by Ian Reed, Director of the Yorkshire Air Museum (Yorkshire Post, July 5). I feel it is important to clarify, on behalf of BMWT, various points that Mr Reed makes in these statements.

n BWMT did not receive any offer from the Yorkshire Air Museum to do an inventory of its materials. As far as I am aware, Yorkshire Air Museum performed this audit without involving BWMT or requesting its permission.

n Mr Reed's statement suggests that BWMT took legal advice as a direct result of Yorkshire Air Museum's actions in offering to undertake an inventory of our assets. I do not consider it appropriate to comment on the legal advice that the trust has obtained, however, Mr Reed's comments over-simplify the position, in particular the issue of BWMT having access to some of its assets. The Trustees of BWMT are very sad that lawyers have had to become involved in this matter.

n Finally, I note Mr Reed's remarks that the museum wishes to tell the full story behind the genius of Barnes Wallis. I wish to emphasise that BWMT shares a similar goal. Our exhibition has always been comprehensive in its coverage.