Last updated 15:57, Thursday, 22 May 2008

I HAVE some sympathy with Claire Dumbil (Times & Star, May 16). I am 60-year-old grandmother but can remember being a 14-year-old girl in Cockermouth.

We had nowhere to go except old fashioned youth clubs. We did have the cinema but could rarely afford to go.

We hung out with our friends on the Main Street and often felt the disapproval and judgement of our elders.

However, if a policeman told us to get along home, we didn't argue.

If we had, our parents would soon get to know and we would have been in real trouble (no asbo needed).

No Claire, I’m not one of the flog ‘em brigade; I never had a good hiding and it never did me any harm. I knew what the rules were and when I broke them and got found out, I accepted the consequences.

As for the Cockermouth youth of today, I have seen some appalling behaviour from groups of young people in school uniform on the Main Street at 3.15 in the afternoon. I have also been on the receiving end of anti-social behaviour.

Might I also suggest, Claire, that if you and your friends must congregate outside Sainsbury's, please use the seating provided, not the window sill and please put your litter in the bin.

Finally Claire, you need to know that every generation believes its youth is the worst ever.

So in 20 years time when you are tutting about the youth of 2028, remember, you were 14 once!

SUE COWPERTHWAITE
Croftside
Cockermouth