With scores of others who knew him, I feel a personal loss at the passing of Francis `Goose' Gosling.

We shared a friendship lasting some 40 years, from the time in 1961 when he asked me to coach the Ramblers F.C., which he formed in 1958 and mentored until 1964. Ironically, our final meeting proved to be last October at the 40th Anniversary of the Ramblers F.C.

The links in the chain of our friendships were forged by sport at all levels in Bermuda from clubs to international; but the great joy of his life was `Young Life'.

Since our last meeting a few months ago we exchanged correspondence and in a recent letter he wrote about not having children of his own; `...that wasn't in his plan. I think he'll leave me with kids until he's finished with me.

What a blessing!'' So passes a gentle man -- a gentleman -- and we should be grateful for his legacy.

TOM WARREN Canada Well done youngsters February 18, 2001 Dear Sir, To our National Under-17 players, coaches, families and supporters I say THANK YOU for giving your all in the recently concluded tournament. With my fingers crossed, I believed that you have triggered something inside us Bermudians which is important to the soul of a people. You gave us an opportunity to think "US'' instead of "ME''.

What we experienced at the almost-completed National Sports Centre was unforgettable! Our team played with class and conducted themselves as their coaches had demanded. The fact that their head coach, Kenny Thompson, teaches at CedarBridge, and most of the players attend that school, is sufficient evidence that the students have the potential to do something well. It's up to us to transform their commitment in soccer to commitments in other areas, including academic performance.

To my Jamaican friends, "Nuff Respect''. May your team go on to represent your country well in the tournament.

But do not forget that our youngsters only have you a glimpse of what the future holds! I trust that we won't have to wait for too long for what should be the inevitable rematch, whether the venue is Kingston or Bermuda. We will go wherever our young men go.

You see my Jamaican friends, whereas your teams have always enjoyed the fanatical and everlasting support of its government and people, we have just witnessed a historical U-turn of our country's emotions regarding international sporting events! Our sporting public appears ready to overcome its shyness about attending contests, no longer willing to withdraw their physical support because of illegal conduct on the part of some fans whose behaviour we should leave to the proper authorities.

To the BFA I suggest the following: Make bold decisions, try new angles and watch Bermuda support you! DR. EWART F. BROWN, JP MP Minister of Transport Hamilton Thankyou to PALS February 15, 2001 Dear Sir, Through the medium of your newspaper column, I would like to express my gratitude to PALS for taking such wonderful care of my husband, Peter during his 20 month battle against cancer, which, sadly, he lost in December.

The PALS nurses were truly "angels of mercy''. They were extremely professional and competent. Their caring manner extended not only to Peter, but to our whole family.

We will always be grateful to Anne Brown, Joanne Armstrong, Shirley Higgs and Josie Wright for providing the assistance which made it possible for Peter to remain at home during his illness rather than be hospitalized.

Lindsay Manderson completes this wonderful team. Although not involved in his care, she showed concern for Peter. We were assured that we could call on these wonderful nurses at any time for help, which we did.

Unfortunately, none of us is immune to cancer and Bermuda is extremely fortunate to have PALS who will provide support for all cancer patients without charge. However, this invaluable care would not be possible without the financial support of PALS by the people of Bermuda.

Thank you for allowing me space in your newspaper.

JANET GRAYSTON Flatts What a name! February 17, 2001 Dear Sir, Driving by the Esso Gas Station, Southampton I noticed a sign "Death Valley''. I thought Oh, another cemetery, looked more closely Death Valley playground -- YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!! Who thought up that charming name -- Frankenstein!!! Surely not one of our esteemed Ministers.

NORMA POOLEY Pembroke We are all one people February 20, 2001 Dear Sir, My spouse and I have an inter-racial marriage, are born-Bermudian, our parents, grandparents and our children are the same. Born-Bermudians! Several months ago I was given CURE's form, asking to describe my race. I found it to be very degrading! Why are we, today, in 2001, concentrating on the colour of people, instead of their hearts and characters? My spouse and I have always taught our children, that people are human beings, and the Bible does state: "He hath made of one blood, all nations.'' We believe that CURE's regulations are dividing our community even more on this line.

I can't believe how much money that the Government has spent on overseas travel. Are so many people necessary for those trips? Couldn't that money have been used to help somewhere else? When PLP came into power, they said: "They would listen to the people.'' The people want an open Government, and a say in regarding changes in our constitution. Is Government listening? In reading through the new budget, I see again the Government not providing more pension money for our seniors, and yet they are increasing fuel costs, and other necessary living expenses.

Government is forcing the GPS System on taxi owners and operators, whether they want it or not. Whatever happened to freedom of choice? Is everyone in Bermuda soon to be monitored by GPS? The new budget was extremely discouraging! Considering bike licenses, car licenses and department taxes, for the young family that needs a car to get to work, and to get their family around, Government is continuing to make costs more and more expensive.

Mr. Editor, I notice that higher car licensing fees are not going to affect Government Ministers, because they have their own cars, paid for by us! There is even more I could write about, Mr. Editor, but from the above, I'm sure you get my point. The new people's Government are enjoying themselves at the expense of the people, and my spouse and I are very concerned for our growing teenagers in "The New Bermuda''.

A DISAPPOINTED BERMUDIAN FAMILY Hamilton Driven around the bend February 20, 2001 Dear Sir, Frankly, our system of roundabouts are dangerous. We have seen many accidents on a regular basis on them and with the increase in aggressiveness on our roads, we will only see further increases in frequency.

The two Trimingham Hill roundabouts are not too bad as the bulk of the traffic is going in one direction and is only broken by the odd car in the other direction that affords others, on alternate roads a chance to enter.

Certainly not perfect, but it works (except for tourists).

The real problem though is with the other roundabouts. This same mentality of `first on, from the right, wins the right of way', causes people to loose their good sense of caution in the approach to a dangerous intersection. Often we see at the Pembroke roundabouts (St. John's Road and the two on Serpentine Road an increase of speed by the driver who has the best view advantage to ensure that he is `first' and therefore has the right of way. The result is dangerous! Roundabouts were designed to be `approached with caution' as their primary method to ensuring that they work.

There is a simple solution and one that was partially thought through with the roundabout opposite the Buckaroo, Masters are of Dundonald and Serpentine Roads. Speed bumps! Or should I say traffic speed control policeman. These need to be installed on ALL roundabouts entrances to ensure that drivers approach from all entries with equal caution and speed. There should NOT be speed bumps on the exits, as this only interrupts the flow of traffic, which is not controlled. These speed bumps need to be effectively sized so that they are respected by all vehicles and placed one car length before the roundabout.

There should be no crosswalks at the roundabouts - these should be moved out 50 plus feet for everyone's safety.

The above scenario will now have effectively taught drivers that caution is required by ALL vehicles when approaching a roundabout, no matter what time of day or night it is or how busy the road is, but we could go one step further - introduce `merging rules'.

The `merge traffic rule' requires that traffic on the roundabout alternately allows ONE car from the entrance road to enter in front of them, thereby keeping all roads of traffic moving freely and in a controlled fashion (because of the entrance speed bumps!). Hmmmmm, now that I think about it, why wouldn't this method of `enforced road manners' work on the Trimingham Hill roundabouts too?? (With the majority of traffic going in the same direction, there would be little difference to the flow, only control and good manners enforced!) Thanks for providing a forum for these ideas.

R. BURNS City of Hamilton