Praise for the
Olympic’s organisers

I DON’T think I have ever watched as much TV in such a short time as I have done these last two weeks.

The Olympic Games in London were the best that I have experienced in my lifetime and there are still some of your readers wanting to nit-pick.

Who cares if the Union Jack is not the right way up when it has been thrown over a shoulder in celebration? As long as it is correct up a flagpole.

What a pleasure it has been watching the spectators, both in and out of stadium, walking about chatting to all and sundry in such a friendly manner that it puts some of our football crowds to shame. Let us hope this friendly atmosphere rubs off into our everyday lives.

I offer my congratulations to all who had anything to do with the organisation of this spectacle, to the sponsors, and of course to the participants in all the competitions – some of which I knew nothing about. Until now.

From: Michael Bradford, Wood Lane, Leeds.

REGARDING the Olympic medal table, why are people so reluctant to recognise Middlesbrough’s Yorkshire status? The facts are simple enough. In 1974, Middlesbrough was placed in a local government county called Cleveland – for local government purposes.

In 1996, that local government county was abolished and Middlesbrough became a self-governing local government unit, much as it was when it enjoyed county borough status, before 1974. At no point, either before or after 1974, did Middlesbrough cease to be in Yorkshire. Yorkshire has never been a local government county in the modern sense. It has never governed Middlesbrough (or Leeds or Sheffield or Bradford or Hull).

It is, rather, one of the 39 traditional divisions of England whose existence goes back a thousand years or more and whose functions in our life are cultural and geographical, not administrative. Neither the Local Government Act 1972, nor any other piece of local government legislation, has even mentioned traditional counties as such, still less changed or abolished them. Why should they? Their subject was local government.

From: Tim Mickleburgh, Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby.

IT is important that we stop the sale of school playing fields to developers. Not however for the benefit of future Olympians, but to improve the health of our young people. That matters more than winning medals for Team GB.

From: Jackie O’Sullivan, National Lottery Good Causes.

AS Team GB surpasses their gold medal haul of the Beijing Games, the whole country is sharing in the delight of our successful athletes.

However, it’s not only elite level sport that National Lottery funding has boosted. Across Yorkshire, community sport is also being supported, allowing more people to participate in a diverse range of sports. Over £281m has been invested in sport in Yorkshire since the introduction of the National Lottery. More than 2,300 grants have been awarded – varying from a few hundred pounds for equipment for local clubs to millions of pounds to build new facilities.

What an inspiration Team GB athletes are to youngsters. Whether they take up sport to an elite level or participate for fitness and fun; the National Lottery will be there to support their goals.

From: Mrs Moya Redfearn, Spring Hall Close, Shelf, Halifax.

COME on Mr Ainley, lighten up (Yorkshire Post, August 13). Can you honestly expect an achiever, such as Bradley Wiggins to start checking where the broad and narrow lines of the Union Flag should be shown? I know the correct way to fly our flag, as I was a girl guide many, many years ago.

The flag is not designed to be worn, as Mr Ainley obviously understands, it is usually attached to a flagpost. Thus showing the correct position of the component flags.

The problem is when the flag is draped as a shawl, with arms akimbo, those in front of the wearer, will see the correct side. Those behind will see the opposite.

Let us revel in our wonderful country’s achievements and applaud those who have been so successful. I am in awe of our Yorkshire athletes and so proud of their true grit.

From: Andrew Mercer, Guiseley.

HAS anyone noticed the eloquence of our Olympians – in comparison to our over-rated, overpaid prima donna footballers?

I’ll tell you one thing – there’s not one footballer with the determination or talent of our triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.

From: D Birch, Smithy Lane, Cookridge, Leeds.

WITH reference to all the voices being raised that our children, starting in primary school and up to senior level, should now be given the facilities and the opportunities to become the future athletes in this country.

I went to Leeds City Council schools from 1927 until I was 14 in 1936 and in those days, and for many years after, we always had playing fields. We also had sports masters and sports mistresses for two half-days per week and as I also remember they were also there after school from four to five or so for more teaching and coaching.

As I remember too, all the schools in Leeds were competitive and we had race days/team days etc, leading up to full final days held on Children’s Day in Roundhay Park. Plus, of course, there used to be city and county competitive sport for children of all ages.