Monday's Letters: Army discipline and fairness that kept pupils in order

Our art master was an ex-major, only a little over five feet tall, but he could keep 50 boys as still and quiet as a company on parade.

Our gym instructor, an ex-regimental sergeant major, used to travel twice a week from Leeds Grammar School, where he had taught my father and uncle, to take PT (now called PE).

He was now saddled with my brother and I, neither of us "sporty types". He could keep 50 or 60 boys as still and quiet as statues with a single word of command.

One of their ex-curricular duties was to oversee "detention" on Wednesday afternoon when the rest of the school was "off" on half-day.

Both these masters shared a single sergeant major's "Pace-stick", a stick which was like a pair of overgrown compasses which could be opened and set to the length of the unit's pace be it standard, light infantry or anything different. It could also be used as a lethal weapon when dealing with any unruly recruit.

A "detainee" would double round the quad, or "playground", non-stop for 15 to 20 minutes and then the command would come, "arms stretch". They had to to be held out sideways so you were a capital "T" – and there you stood, for 10, 15, 20 endless minutes with that dreaded "measuring stick" ready to swing up under the cold finger tips if you dropped your arms an inch.

It was a bold or stupid boy who was in detention more than once in a term.

Both those masters were not only held in the greatest respect, but also had the affection of every pupil because they were scrupulously fair.

Perhaps it is high time that we persuaded the likes of these gentlemen to join teaching staff with the powers to administer army discipline.

From: Jack Chantry, Hexthorpe, Doncaster.

I ECHO the sentiments of your letter writer Aled Jones in the call for some form of National Service to combat youth crime.

However, it seems to be implied in his letter that this service should be military. I would rather see some form of compulsory civilian type service. All 18 and 19 year olds, not in regular employment, should be made to undertake community projects. This could include clearing up litter, giving dishevelled public buildings a much-needed coat of paint and various other tasks. This would help to inculcate in them good habits of attending for regular hours at a place of work.

New tactic is implanted for our safety

From: David Nortcliffe, Cobden Terrace, Halifax.

I SEE from your report (Yorkshire Post, March 2) that a woman was saved from very serious injury, or even death, by her size D implant which stopped a bullet.

Surely the next thing that must happen now is that the Association of Health and Safety Officers will have a meeting to discuss this issue. They now realise there can be a danger of people getting shot and will note the fortuitous outcome.

A recommendation will surely be made for new regulations requiring all women to be protected from bullets by having size D implants.

This will undoubtedly be agreed, as no political party can be seen to advocate disadvantaging women or endangering their health and/or safety. The next likely move would be that some man brings a case before the courts to the effect that he is a victim of sexual inequality in that he is not adequately protected against bullets.

Will this then mean that those new regulations will be amended to require everyone to be fitted with D cup implants?

Some might think this is fatuous, but where is the flaw in that logic if you use the sort of reasoning that health and safety specialists seem to have been showing in recent years?

After all, they've sorted out most of the obvious problems and if they don't find some new issues to keep them busy they could be out of a job.

Change at the ballot box

From: PM Robinson, The Croft, Beverley.

I WRITE in response to the letter from Malcolm Naylor "Change of political system needed – not just party in power" (Yorkshire Post, March 3). I am sure that many of the electorate will agree with Mr Naylor's comments that the last thing the country needs is a Conservative, Labour or a Liberal Democrat government.

The problem is how does the electorate use the election as an opportunity to change the system? The inclusion of a box on the ballot paper to vote for "None of the above" would provide an interesting barometer of public dissatisfaction with the present political system. But realistically can we see any of the main parties proposing this?

So we are left with the fundamental issue – how can we bring about change? I do not have the answers but would welcome readers' suggestions.

Tackle the deficit

From: Don Burslam, Elm Road, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury.

I AGREE with Ralph Musgrave (Yorkshire Post, February 22) when he rejects the argument that tackling the deficit as soon as possible would choke off the recovery, such as it is.

A business-like and focused policy would be noticed favourably by the markets and head off any thoughts in certain quarters about downgrading our credit rating, so increasing interest payments on our already huge debt.

The argument over whether to act or do nothing is to a certain extent a false one. There is plenty of scope for a business-like approach attacking the quango and consultant culture which would reassure the City and set us on the right road. Attitude is important. Of course there is pain and hardship on the way whatever we do, but the nettle must be grasped sooner rather than later. The Conservatives must keep their nerve and reject the philosophy, "Another little drink wouldn't do us any harm".

Delight on the ice rink

From: Linda Boadle, PSI Network, Stringer House, Lupton Street, Leeds.

I SHOULD like to thank all of those who are involved in setting up and running the IceCube in Millennium Square each year.

For the last two years, the Physical and Sensory Impairment Network (PSI Network) has had one session a week for disabled people – mostly wheelchair users – to use the IceCube.

The open sessions are, of course, open to disabled people but for many people this "closed" session has been an opportunity to try ice skating for the first time.

Last year we set a world record for the largest number of wheelchair users on ice, and we received a lot of publicity. We did not attempt another record this year as no-one has managed to break the one we set.

We have still had new people coming along this year who had not heard of the record, as well as many who had enjoyed it last time and came back for more.

In all the sessions, both closed and open, the skaters have had a wonderful time, and this is due largely to the helpfulness and friendliness of all the staff.

Is my favourite TV soap showing its true colours?

From: Carole-Ann Withers, Hungate Lane, Hunmanby, Filey.

EMMERDALE has been our favourite TV soap since moving from the South some years ago and deserves its accolades.

We have, however, begun noticing the cosmetic changes undertaken by members of the cast. Several have had extensive dental makeovers, for example. Presumably they have all taken place at the same dental surgery as obvious attention has been taken with the eye teeth, all of which which seem remarkably pointed. In particular, the very pregnant Debbie (who isn't fooling anyone with the jacket tied around her waist) and the unhappy Maisie who looks spectacularly vampirish, especially in times of stress.

Not as vampirish as her mother Natasha of course, who has has taken the pointy teeth to new heights, or is that lengths, along with stark long black hair – are they extensions? One might even wonder if she is auditioning early for the part of The Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella... no makeup required.

When the cast began to re-appear one-by-one after the long Christmas break, we have been playing "Spot the hair dye" (Did they think we wouldn't notice?) Bob's locks are now looking markedly darker as are Nathan's and his younger brother's. (why does that child have all that hair in his eyes?) and Paddy, always a sparse gingery blonde, sporting thick dark hair!

Viv has clomped around in high heels on bare floor boards for what seems like ever but it is becoming more and more noticeable that all the indoor sets must be boarded, judging by the noise of shod feet. Very odd! Can't they afford any carpeting?

It's still a great programme, however.

Do other readers spot the obvious changes?