Dear Editor, I'm not entirely sure that I agree with the rather strong views of your Chief Cricket Writer, George Dobell ('Finding new ways to lose friends and alienate people', 19th June).

I would certainly agree that it was an unsatisfactory day and difficult for either side to get any momentum (and therefore provide the desired entertainment level), but to call for the suspension of the umpires is, in my view, unfair, sensationalist and an over-reaction.

Umpires face a hard enough job as it is and do an excellent job when you consider everything they have to contend with.

The conditions at the end of play were appalling, particularly the light.

Whilst many of us were waiting for a result our real frustration was with the weather - I'm afraid that's life sometimes and surely we should be encouraged by the number of people who stayed on throughout the day in the hope of play? It would no doubt be a totally different story had someone been seriously injured - but we should not be over hasty to question the judgment of experienced umpires.

I would echo Mr Dobell's excellent point on both the feeling of being fleeced (Lords, of course, leads the way on this daylight robbery) and the continual, farcical, performance of the new scoreboard, which only seems to provide a continual reminder to members of the concerns many seem to have (rightly or wrongly) about the way the club is being run.

G Edmunds

Moseley.

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Does anyone ever listen to the voice of the people any more?

Dear Editor, Since reading A. Fitzpatrick's letter (of Hall Green) in The Post, dated June 16, under the heading: "Surely there are no believers for Airport's runway claims"; his assumption is probably right.

Unless I have missed the flood of letters. I would not, however, be confident that this absence of public support for a runway means that he can count on the runway, not being built.

When did common sense have anything to do with it?

Public opinion in our country counts for nothing; except at voting time; when unfortunately we have probably forgotten all of the past failures and voted again, as we normally do or as our fathers did.

The authorities and politicians' disdain of the public and its opinion, is dictated in referendums, eco towns, immigration ... the list is endless; I cannot recall anything the public opinion has ever won or overturned. In our democracy in recent times we are too easily manipulated or even uninterested until it is too late.

I would count on it, that the 'authority' delegated the task of building the runway, are busy, at this moment in time, beavering away on matters of Public Relations (offering double glazing to keep out the noise) and specific plans for its construction; ignoring the logical arguments expressed by A Fitzpatrick in his letter; i.e. Prudence Brown's busting economy and soaring energy prices.

A. Fitzpatrick's reference to "common sense"

should be an input into this massive and destructive environment project; but where there are egos and legacies at stake, public servants find it impossible to admit they have been "uncommonly insensible" or even unsensible.

We can see this everyday from this awful Government of Ministers and from local councils, who are influenced more by vested interests and lobbyists than by their employers the tax paying public.

Common sense? Believers? Logic? Birmingham needs an extra runway and all that goes with it, like Stratford need an ECO town and as much as the tax-paying public wanted or needed the Olympic Games.

But we should not forget that we are lucky to live in a democracy, although I am beginning to wonder what this really means.

Douglas J Wathen

Salford Priors, near Evesham.

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Match for a very worthy cause

Dear Editor, I am writing to challenge your readers to an extra special five-a-side football match this summer in support of CLIC Sargent - the UK's leading children's cancer charity.

This July Iwill be joined by ex-England football legends Peter Reid, David Beasant, Nigel Winterburn and Ray Parlour and together we will be taking on the winners of the 'CLIC Sargent Legends Charity Cup 2008' regional heats.

The tournament is open to anyone interested in getting out on to the pitch this summer and testing their goal-scoring skills against the Legends team. Not only will taking part be a good laugh and a great way of getting fit, it's also an excellent opportunity to raise thousands for the ten families who find out every day that their child has cancer. And it's not just about your football skills, the teams who pull in the most pennies will also get the chance to face the Legends.

Regional heats will take place across England on 6th July and we're holding one in Birmingham so come and join in. The final will take place on 27th July at Bisham Abbey, England's former training ground.

For more information on the tournament and to register your team go to www.clicsargent.org.uk/football or call 08451 20 22 32.

We look forward to seeing you in July!

Rob Lee, Legends team captain and former England international.

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Importance of mental issues

Dear Editor, Last year I took part in the Mental Health Media Awards and was genuinely impressed by some of the media coverage that was highlighted.

We know what people see, read or hear influences the way they think about a subject.

It's so important to create a better understanding of mental health issues in our society.

So this year I am supporting efforts to attract even more award entries.

The Mental Health Media Awards 2008 are now looking for nominations from your readers of good, accurate coverage of mental health issues in the media over the last year.

Readers may have seen something in this newspaper, or spotted something on the radio or on television.

The Awards also cover radio and TV drama and documentaries.

Suggestions for entry close on June 30 and we're keen to have as many as possible.

For more information, or to nominate something you've seen, heard or read, go to www.mhmawards.net.

Trisha Goddard

Mental Health Media Awards 2008.