WHAT a splendid letter was chosen for last week's prize, Pat Maudsley's thought-provoking criticism of media priorities.

She asks - what have we become as a human race?

Well, with the media hype we are fed these days one wonders!

Take for instance that very fashionable religion known as "football". One has difficulty in seeing anything, reading anything or hearing anything that doesn't in one shape or form refer in general to football, and in particular to the World Cup.

How very boring for people like me who have no interest whatsoever in the game or the people who play it - oh yes, there are plenty like that, hard though it may be for football enthusiasts to appreciate the fact!

I guess we all are allowed to have our favourite pastimes etc. Mine happens to be music but popular though it is, it is never inflicted on the rest of society to the degree of being a nuisance.

So when the World Cup fever is eventually over, it will soon be time for the Last Night of the Proms and I think I can safely say that it at least, won't be cancelled in favour of a football match.

Pat Maudsley mentions the priority given to a recent newscast to a Spice Girl leaving the 'band' - as though we are all expected to sit down and cry. Well for those who did, don't worry, I'm sure it won't be too long before both she and "Gazza" will both be featured on "This is Your Life" adding insult to injury.

Have faith in human nature - we try!!

EDNA CARR (MRS), Redvers Road, Darwen.

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