THE Westmorland Shopping Centre 'is private property', said the security guard who halted Mrs Chandler's photography (Gazette, September 27, 'Bollards picture lands pensioner in spot of bother'), but it is also part of the public landscape, and photographing it for historical record should be allowed.

Sainsbury's also forbid you to photograph their shops' interiors. What are they so frightened of?

I disagree with the anonymous writer who opposes the Hindus' reverent use of part of the lake of Windermere (Letters, September 27, 'Lakes cannot be a shrine'). What does he or she think that churchyards are?

Well done, John Oldfield, 19, mine host already (Gazette, September 27, 'John, 19, swaps lectures for lager'). The landlord of The Rat Inn, Anick, near Hexham, was also 19 or so when he took over a few years ago.

Jeremy Godwin

Penrith