YP Letters: Proud of way our nation remembered

There are not many things that happen these days to make us proud to be British, but I feel I must make some positive comments about the Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening and the Parade at the Cenotaph on Sunday.

Both events were highlighted on BBC 1.

The Albert Hall event was emotional and moving from start to finish.

To see her Majesty and Prince Philip, both in their 90s, standing firmly to attention at the two-minute silence on Sunday morning in Whitehall was amazing.

My dearest wish is that in our schools today children are reminded of all the wars and sacrifices that were made to give us the peace that we all now enjoy in this very troubled world in which we live.

From: Peter Hyde, Driffield.

Perhaps I am wrong in my thoughts but I feel I must express them anyway.

It is 100 years ago since so many men, and some mere boys, were slaughtered by German machine gun fire at the Battle of the Somme.

Rightly we have taken time out to remember their sacrifice, as we have done for so many years.

Yet never once has mention been made of the, apparently, foolish actions of the general who, despite having seen the early results of his actions, still persisted in throwing young men ‘over the top’ to be slain.

Any leader with the least ounce of common sense would have paused the assault and had a rethink.

Not so our general, who was sitting safely behind the front line, continued the futile attack.

Last chance for city tram

From: Tony Young, Cross Bank, Skipton.

Greg Mulholland is absolutely right, (The Yorkshire Post, November 15).

This really is the last chance for Leeds to make a start on a new tram system.

Three quarters of a century of missed opportunities can now be put right and get Leeds into the same league as Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham.

I led the technical team that developed the initial tram system for Manchester.

Leeds must start that process now.

The city council will not be thanked for messing this one up.

Thrift ethic gone south

From: Hilary Andrews, Nursery Lane, Leeds.

On a recent visit to London to see their fantastic Christmas lights, I took my friend for afternoon tea at a hotel, as I had a voucher.

The tea was excellent but far too much for us to finish .

We had four cakes and two scones left so I asked for a “doggy bag” to take them home.

No dice. They simply didn’t have any bags or boxes.

Presumably, owing to food hygiene regulations this food has to be thrown away. What a waste.

I have used these “Tea for Two” vouchers many times all over Yorkshire and never been refused a box for the uneaten items. Another example of the affluent South versus the sensible North?

I hate to think we were eating the recycled food left by previous customers.

Great recipes from show

From: Mrs J Wolfe, Lightcliffe, Halifax.

Much has been written about Jimmy Young’s undoubted ability as a broadcaster but nobody has mentioned his daily cooking spot when a voice would pipe up “what’s the recipe today Jim?”

The recipes were so delicious, and economical, sent in by listeners, that the BBC published a series of cookery books.

The lemon tart was delicious and became a family favourite. It is even easier to make nowadays as bought pastry cases are just the right size.

Lines were all his own work

From: Mary Fox, Clarence Drive, Filey.

What a joy to read Stewart Calligan’s article in last Saturday’s Country Week, reading through one of my favourite poems (Sea Fever) thinking I’ve never heard those last two lines before.

Nor had I, because they are Stewart’s own. Well done. John Masefield would have been proud.

Pricing us out of new centre

From: Geoff Hardwick, Barncroft Grange, Leeds.

THE new Victoria Gate in Leeds is a grand building and the shops are swanky but the prices are too dear for normal folk. There should be prices to suit everyone so we all could afford something.