Museums are a showcase for best of region

THERE are powerful reasons why the National Railway Museum and the National Media Museum must stay open.

Firstly, both are success stories with collections of genuine international significance and they are immensely popular with well over a million visitors annually.

Secondly, they are vital to their host cities providing cultural, educational and economic benefit across Yorkshire. In both cities they are a crucial component of local economies, attracting tourists and supporting jobs.

Thirdly, they are examples of an important political principle – that the benefits of tax revenue gathered nationally should be spread nationally.

The BBC has demonstrated this by the excellent move of a large part of its operation to Salford, spreading economic impact outside of the M25.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport says closure is merely an operational issue for the Science Museum trustees. It isn’t. We urge both trustees and the DCMS to find a solution that enables these museums to stay open.

Kindred spirit behind wheel

From: Fr Neil McNicholas, St Gabriel’s Parish, Ormesby, Middlesbrough.

I WAS delighted to finally be introduced to Mr Hugh Rogers of Scunthorpe via his excellent letter “Impatience no excuse for breaking rule of road” (Yorkshire Post, June 12).

I have often wondered who 
that one other road user was 
who, like me, was keeping to 
the speed limit when all 
others were illegally flinging themselves like lemmings along whatever road we were driving along at the time.

Nice to meet you at last!

From: Roger M Dobson, Ash Street, Cross Hills, Keighley, West Yorkshire.

WHEN will our drivers, when driving downhill, realise that traffic driving uphill has the right of way?

Why do so many drivers drive with headlights, even when rain or snow has stopped?

I am sure that the majority 
of drivers have studied the Highway Code to pass their tests – even if they never look at the book again!

The easy way to stop drivers using mobile phones whilst driving is to ban them from driving for a month automatically.

Awestruck by tour of arena

From: Dr Kevin Grady, director, Leeds Civic Trust.

TONY Watson and Ailsa Oliver of SMG gave 80 members of Leeds Civic Trust a fascinating tour of the Leeds First Direct Arena.

Trust members have never been more awe-inspired by a building. It really is a fantastic facility for the city. The scale of the 13,000-person capacity venue is incomprehensible without a visit. First we were transported effortlessly up to the top tier of the seating by three escalators. From its seats amidst the vast fan-shaped auditorium we gazed down on the performance area below, which at first glance seemed little bigger than the stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

It’s really true, as has been claimed, you do get a great view from every seat in the house – and no need to twist to one side to see the stage as you often have to do in oval arenas. The acoustics seem very good too.

We were then taken down to the performance area – not the size of the Playhouse stage after all but vast and capable of accommodating a large ice rink or more usually a large stage and 2,000 fans standing to enjoy a gig. Viewing the huge expanse of seating, you can easily see why Bruce Springsteen wanted to be first to play at the arena. All quite breathtaking.

Congratulations to the contractor BAM, the arena managers SMG and, above all, to Martin Farrington and his team at Leeds City Council for bringing this tremendous asset for Leeds in on time and on budget.

Kind words 
for kind soul

From: Louise Tatum, Castle Drive, Kendal, Cumbria.

MY son is a student in Leeds, he lost his wallet on May 2. It was empty of money but unfortunately had his bank card, railcard and driving licence in it.

Two weeks later it arrived home in Kendal. We would like to say a big thankyou to the very kind person who put it in an envelope and posted it home. You saved Jamie a lot of hassle, time and money by your honesty.