A thank you from the heart

MAY I thank the The Chronicle for the recent coverage it gave to the programme of activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the visit to Newcastle and the region of former US President Jimmy Carter.

The event marked the launch of the Friendship Force, linking towns and cities across the world through home-stay exchanges.

We’re keen to reach anyone who was on the very first Friendship Force trip to Atlanta in July of 1977, and in particular the person who was the youngest Geordie on the exchange at just six months old. Unfortunately we don’t have a name on the records.

Does anyone have any memories to share of the exchange – and is anyone still in contact with the family they stayed with in Atlanta, or who you hosted here? We’d love to hear from you.

The contact email is jimmycarternewcastle@gmail. com or call 0191 211 6826. DAVID FAULKNER

Gosforth WHEN a babe is born, oh such pleasure, oh such joy No matter whether girl or boy There may be no bells ringing nearby It’s a magic moment when you first hear that baby cry Though many tears onto its cheeks will fall It is an infant after all As for love it will not lack Its crying will cease with a pat on the back Then with loving arms around it, so it will sleep And perhaps for the rest of the night you won’t hear a peep Now feeding is at its mother’s breast For that is thought to be for the best Then it must be to keep them WE would like to thank you for the cheque we received, £173.07 from the Wish token campaign. We greatly appreciate it. It will go towards funding more life happy It may be time to change its nappy Mothers can be seen to bill and coo For that’s what mothers do In a language only known to each other There is such happiness in being a mother You will see the most beautiful baby ever born You will know it’s time for bed when you see it yawn Its little fingers wrapped around your thumb, its cute little nose Ah look at those little toes A mother’s love is eternal, sheltering it from all harms Whatever the future brings, it will be safe in its mother’s arms. ALAN WATERHOUSE,

Seaton Delaval saving defibrillators in the North East. We couldn’t do this without the help and support we get locally. KELLY BEST & CHRISTINE STEPHENSON, North East Heart With Goals