Helping out 
a neighbour

i WONDER if the 85 per cent who voted against helping France in Mali, in your Question of the Day (Yorkshire Post, January 14), considered the following scenario: the Argentinians invade and occupy the Falkland Islands. The UK is unable to muster a task force to re-take them and ask France for the use of an aircraft carrier. Maybe this is one of many reasons why we are helping our nearest European neighbour.

From: Paul Morley, Ribblesdale Estate, Long Preston, Skipton.

YOUR Question of the Day asks should we help the French with military intervention in Mali.

Of course we shouldn’t – can you imagine if the situation were reversed and Britain became involved in military action defending the Falkland Islands against the Argentinians? Would the French come rushing to our aid? I don’t think so!

Glum Prince

From: John Gordon, Whitcliffe Lane, Ripon.

I ALWAYS read your words of the week column (Yorkshire Post, January 12). The Prince of Wales, it seems, is very disappointed with the world. It’s “dysfunctional”, he says. I’m not sure if he blames us for this.

“Climate change” is not necessarily our fault, but I 
admit that “environmental damage” can be laid at our 
door. His grandchild will have to put up with that, I suppose, just as my grandson will live with it. All we can do now is make the best of it.

Of course, it helps to have a silver spoon around!

Mystery solved

From: Gordon Young, Linton Close, Cloughton, Scarborough.

IN 1940 when I became a pupil at the primary school at Seamer, one of my classmates called Ken Hodgson was always known as Pricklyback Hodgson. Seventy-two years later after reading Country Week (December 29), I now know why. Thanks for a great feature.