HAVING produced my debut play, Testing Times, last month, I would like to publicly express my sincere thanks to a number of people.

‘MONKEY Island’ has been mentioned a few times of late in Cookson Country, with some argy bargy as to its whereabouts (near the Groyne or South Pier?)

HOW sad to hear of the death of Ray Harryhausen at the age of 92.

YOUR readers may have seen a letter from the Royal Mail on privatisation of my industry, with the promise of no major change to services because of the 2011 Postal Services Act.

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to express my most sincere thanks to Coun Ian Harkus and our neighbours, Howard and Maureen Campbell, who put us in touch with the councillor.

I DO wish our new MP, Emma Lewell-Buck all the best in her efforts to represent the people of South Shields down in Westminster.

BEFORE last week’s by-election, delivered by the postman, I received four leaflets all addressed to me with full name and postcode.

ONE doesn’t care for our Punch and Judy politics, for once in power they always seem to blame the other lot when things go pear-shaped. Consequently I never vote for either of the main political parties.

I’D like to say my heart and prayers go to all soldiers, all military, here and now and for lost ones.

LEARNING First advocacy service is an independent provider of advocacy in the Northern region. Our service includes independent mental health advocacy, independent mental capacity, case advocacy, non-instructed advocacy and self-advocacy.

I HAVE noticed councillors’ responses to letters from readers who care about the destruction of communities with the usual “difficult financial climate” response.

WE refer to the article in the Gazette on Thursday May 2 regarding dog fouling.

HAVING just done my second trip to the tip with a car full of stinking rubbish, I wonder how many other people are having to do the same?

I SEE everyone’s favourite neighbour from hell is back in the news due to more incessant shouting and slurs to his ‘scumbag’ neighbours. 

AS benefits fraud keeps making the headlines, it’s important to remember that such stories make up less than 3.4 per cent of benefit claims.  

I WOULD like to thank the person who handed my watch in at the police station when I lost it in the Cleadon area.

as taxi prices rise, fewer people will use them.

Last year, every council and primary care trust in the North East, alongside over 130 other organisations and more than 13,500 members of the public in our region, signed up to support the plain, standardised packaging of tobacco to reduce the appeal of smoking to children.

WHY I am backing Dementia Awareness Week, starting on May 19.

I SEE South Tyneside Council has put the rents up three times in the last two years, even for sub-standard housing.