OH DEAR, I seem to have upset Mr Scaife again. Sorry about my "distorted" memory and the "myths and fables", but after well over 70 years perhaps I can be forgiven (Readers' Letters, February 2).

My memory goes back to the 1930s and contains quite a few fables. Working class, whatever that is, Bradford as a birthplace and the depression of the 1930s, followed by a world war. With the country fighting for its very existence, I recall the members of a certain heavy industry striking for more pay.

Post-war years brought total Labour control, even tighter rationing, permits required for almost everything and strike after strike. This was followed by the years of Red Robbo. Strikes decided by a show of hands under the watchful eye of the strong-arm boys finished off our major car producers.

Strikes in the shipyards all but destroyed ship-building in the UK. Peter Jackson's post office strike set the PO on a permanent decline. The dock labour scheme, with its jobs for life, saw off the major ports.

Meanwhile, the Labour Chancellor had to be bailed out by the World Bank because we were broke. In the 1970s union power grew to the extent that its impossible demands produced the winter of discontent. Transport strikes, power cuts, oh boy, what a joy life was.

Along came Mrs T with a promise to sort out the mess. Arthur Scargill decided he would, by force if necessary, bring her down. He could never win and he didn't.

As to the present misfits, they couldn't run a fish shop, particularly as they've banned most of our fishing.

Charles Rushton, Pasture Close, Strensall, York.


* MAY I agree with Mr D Elmer (Readers' Letters, January 21) that Mr T Scaife should have his own column. He is such an educated, eloquent and entertaining read, although he does appear to rattle some people's opinions.

I would also like to add that my reasoning for a decline in church attendance in this day and age is simply because most people are now visiting the great gods of Tesco, B&Q and shopping centres to even be bothered to go to church. Amen to the God of Commercialism.

Collette Wriggleworth, Manor Drive North, York.