The letters on this page were sent to and (for the most part) published by the Halifax Evening Courier over a period from the end of the 1980's to the present day. They are presented in reverse chronological order (ie most recent first) and as I still occasionally send the odd (sadly curtailed) missive to the paper, new entries are still likely to appear. (SO WATCH THIS SPACE!)

People often ask me why my letters now rarely appear in the Courier. Here is the reason.Not too long ago the Courier dumbed down its 'mailbag' column by clamping a 400 word cap on letters, thus effectively discouraging most of its more articulate and entertaining contributors. The quality of mailbag has sadly deteriorated since, largely because short, trivial letters can only spark short trivial responses. Consequently (for my part) it's very rare that I read something I deem worthy of comment.

Most of the letters presented here are primarily about local politics and issues of local interest and concern. They are for the most part topical and humourous. The effect of this over the passage of time is often to leave the reader perplexed as to what the letter is actually about - even though it was obvious to the local readership of the time. Consequently, where I feel this to be the case, I have offered the odd explanatory note.

Happy Mailbagging!

JIM JARRATT
Mytholmroyd 2006.

Screaming Out For Lord Sutch April 2010

The Truth Is All Things Must Pass February 2010

When the Lights Go Out 9th December 2009

What Are We Coming To? 28th September 2009

We Pay Workers to Clear Litter 25th August 2009

Consultancy? Easy! 3rd June 2009

Bonus Disaster Will Ruin Lives. 16th February 2009

Power Corrupts - So let's Vote Them Out. 22nd May 2009

Salute the Leaf Team. 26th November 2008

Does it Still Pay to Save the Planet? 25th November 2008

I Simply Wont pay to Park. Hebden Bridge Times. 25th September 2008

All the Fun of the Fair for Hebden. 7th July 2008

Hotshot Pigeons Will Win In The End 9th April 2008

Town Made Me Choke 19th March 2008

Panic Not:Shay delays Doomsday 27th September 2007

Park Life Is The Problem Nov 8th 2007

Panic Not:Shay delays Doomsday 27th September 2007

Verily Ye End of Ye World Must Be Nigh 21st September 2007

City Homes of the Beautiful Game 17th September 2007

Let's Face It - We're All Going to Die! 22nd May 2007

Give Our Council Drivers a Break 25th April 2007

Smokers,Drinkers fund the NHS 7th April 2007

The Big Lie over Global Warming 5th April 2007

Give Us Something to be Proud of 20th March 2007

Breaking the Habit 2nd January 2007

Who has the power to save planet? 4th December 2006

Waste doesn't go away - it just mounts up. 21st October 2006

My Heart Bleeds for 'Nob Hill'. 27th September 2006

The Law is the Law - But it isnt always right. 23rd September 2006

Lets Have Wheelie Bins Talk 15th September 2006

Smoking: Its About Freedom 5th July 2006

Clean Your Own Street 30th May 2006

We-Know-Best Brigade is in Charge. May? 2006

Play Safe - Rubbish is no laughing matter! August 13th 2005

All Aboard the Council Gravy Train! 11th May 2005

Whats the explanation for erecting this fence? (Bridge Times) Friday March 25th 2005

Drivers take a chance on not being caught. March 19th 2005

Jim is Mailbags best! Jack Goodaire Sat November 13th 2004

People would do top jobs for half the cash! Saturday October 30th 2004

Maybe Hare and Fox will inherit the Earth Saturday October 9th 2004

Dont Blame the Lotto Convict. Thursday August 26th 2004

Who are these Euro People? Ist June 2004

Triple Attack on Danger Drivers Saturday May 8th 2004

I'm fed up with em all! Mon november 24th 2003

Town of Doom and Gloom Wednesday November 19th 2003

Alton Towers - the Five Tests! Tues June 17th 2003

Get Out and Vote! Wednesday April 16th 2003

Writing is on the Wall! Tuesday February 11th 2003 (With Lord Shutts reply)

The Centre of the Universe is --- Tod! Sat February 8th 2003 Plus criticism!

Sad Decline of our Village Monday January 20th 2003

Switch off and Go! Tues November 26th 2002

For God's Sake Go! Tuesday October 15th 2002

Carparking Fee Ripoff Wed September 18th 2002

Fortress Calderdale! Wednesday August 21st 2002

Clean up - On yer Bike! Wednesday July 17th 2002

They'll kill town dead! Wednesday June 26th 2002

Target the Motorists! Saturday May 11th 2002

Politics? Round here its a Joke! Wednesday July 11th 2001

Parking Hike will kill towns Wednesday Nov Ist 2000

Message from Star Date 2050 Tuesday Aug 22nd 2000

On the litter Trail (reply to 'Lunchtime Litter Louts' response) Fri March 15th 1996

Lunchtime Litter Louts Fri Feb 23rd 1996

Its All pay, pay, pay Wednesday December 20th 1995

Goodwill to All Men Wednesday December 28th 1994

After the Bins, What goes next? 8th August 1994

Council Services in the snake pit Fri August 5th 1994

The Binmen's Nightmare Thursday June 2nd 1994

Double Standards over the Binmen. 18th May 1994

Binmen on the Cheap! Thurs March 24th 1994

This opt out con trick Mon Nov 22nd 1993

Who will educate the ones who cant pay? HBT Friday November 19th 1993

Dump this refuse plan! August 30th 1993

From Council House to Cardboard City Mon December 20th 1993

Jobsmacked! Wednesday 1st February 1989

MAILBAG DUNGEON

Not all my letters were published by the Courier, and out of the ones that were I almost certainly missed one or two! Here are letters you may have read before, along with some you almost certainly didnt!

MAILBAG DUNGEON - ENTER IF YOU DARE!