AS a southerner, I was always told of the northerners' warmth and generosity. It would appear this is a myth as far as Blackburn is concerned.

After spending three days helping the young people of Blackburn Rotaract prepare the bonfire for the Witton Park charity event, I was appalled by the attitude of the public to the sight of collecting tins.

This ranged from ignoring them to verbally abusing the young people who had given up holidays in the preparation of the event.

At the counting of the donations, this was reinforced by the number of foreign coins and one and two pence pieces found in abundance.

With the cost of fireworks running in £3,000, thanks to some people's generosity there will be a little left over for charity.

This being so, I am surprised these youngsters bother to try at all, comparing the amount of work to the result.

And if it were my choice, Blackburn would have to do without a bonfire night next year.

K BATH, Swallowfields, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.