We all need daily dose 
of kindness

THE suicide of the disc jockeys’ hoax victim, according to a psychologist, cannot have been caused by this incident in isolation, but would have been the culmination of a multiplicity of factors that led this poor woman to end her life.

So, does this simply let the disc jockeys off the hook? Of course not, and they know it. But furthermore, by the same token, it lets none of us off the hook, and is a powerful lesson for each of us.

We cannot now plead ignorance of the potential consequences of an act of unkindness – or, as in this and so many other cases, the failure to display kindness as a factor of paramount importance in our communications, and an extremely powerful tool for true success in life.

Our greed for gossip, or any other futile priority, cannot be allowed to take precedence over each human being’s need to display and receive kindness.

From: David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate.

THE suicide of the 46-year-old nurse from the King Edward VII hospital is so very sad, and could not have been predicted by anyone. There were several mistakes made in this desperately unfortunate case, and the two DJs should not have to accept all the blame.

Charge for HIV drugs

From: J G Riseley, Harcourt Drive, Harrogate.

THE rate of new HIV cases being detected in the UK has risen dramatically over the past decade and a half and remains close to its peak.

It seems plausible that this partly reflects a considerable easing of the deep concern which HIV/Aids aroused in earlier days. The need for risk reduction is perhaps seen as being greatly reduced by the availability of antiretroviral drugs which blunt the lethal effect of Aids.

But the drugs do not render the condition harmless, nor can they achieve what they do without the risk of side effects. Even if both these deficiencies were overcome there would remain a third problem: the very substantial cost of the drugs to the taxpayer.

We could, to an extent, address this problem and the high rate of new cases by requiring a modest financial contribution from users towards the cost of their medication. This would no doubt bring forth howls of protest. The more contented that people living with HIV are perceived as being, the faster their numbers are likely to grow.

Closure case adds up

From: Maxwell Laurie, Victoria Terrace, Cockfield, County Durham.

IT really is time that Leeds stopped sulking over losing the Leeds paediatric services to Newcastle, a decision based essentially on simple mathematics.

To recruit, retain and develop top-level medical skills requires a sufficient number of patients with a sufficient range of ailments. There is an insufficient total in both scales to justify two main bases in the region but Newcastle has the greater claim.

The fuss from Leeds can only end in inferior services in both cities.

Take a chair with knobs on

From: David F Chambers, Sladeburn Drive, Northallerton.

I HOPE I can help Barry Ewbank (Yorkshire Post, December 4) over his need to form a committee.

On the inanimate furnishing side he will need a table and the appropriate number of chairs. These can be of any design, but uncomfortable chairs are conducive to agreeably brief meetings. One of the chairs should be somewhat larger and better appointed than the others – a chair with knobs on, so to speak.

His group will need to elect one of their number to control and direct the meetings. This member, whether male or female, will be entitled to 
occupy the chair with knobs on and enjoy the traditional title of chairman.

Mr Ewbank should not be overly worried about the PC police, just proceed on the simple lines above. They can’t touch you for it. Over the centuries the system has on occasions worked quite well, but modern titles like chairwoman, chairlady, chairperson and chair are uncalled for.

Lastly, I’d emphasise again – avoid comfortable chairs, with or without knobs on.

Return of the fishcakes

From: Mrs June Wolfe, Sutherland Road, Lightcliffe, Halifax.

I HEARTILY endorse the letter from Barbara Waite (Yorkshire Post, December 5) regarding the real name of the Odeon Cinema in Bradford.

This was always the New Vic with a cinema, ballroom and cafe. My granny used to take me to the cafe for tea where I always had fishcake and chips with parsley sauce.

I remember going to the cinema with a boy from school on VE Day to see either the Picture of Dorian Gray or the Man in Half Moon Street.

As for the ballroom, every Wednesday and Saturday it was dancing to Billy Hey and his Band of the Day.

I’m sure that many people 
have come up with many schemes for this once-thriving building, but I wonder if 
anyone has thought of selling 
it as three separate units and reverting to its original 
use?

Cinemas are always popular, 
as is ballroom dancing 
at the moment and also 
an English cafe selling 
fishcakes and chips with 
parsley sauce.