Pushing-in driver made blood boil

It's hard work being a citizen and a parent these days.

My parents brought me up to respect people regardless of where they were from, to say my "please" and "thank yous" and to wait my turn in line.

I went to Leicester Royal Infirmary along with my seven-year-old daughter on Thursday last week to pick up my nine-year-old son.

He has leukaemia and had been in for six days due to a winter virus.

On arriving outside the hospital, we were faced with a rather long queue for the car park.

For nearly 30 minutes we crawled along, starting and stopping, avoiding blocking the yellow marked hashed areas which allow hospital vehicles to get out straight away.

We got near the car park entrance, when a silver 08-plated Nissan Micra came driving down past all the waiting traffic and pushed in, in front of the car in front of me, in the hashed area.

I was not pleased and beeped my horn.

A few minutes later we got in the car park and I drove past this car.

The driver got out and I said to him that it would be nice if he could have queued up like the rest of us.

He sarcastically said "yeah, whatever mate" with a scowl on his face. He was not bothered one jot.

I decided not to say any more, as my daughter was with me, but my blood was boiling.

It's frustrating to have to queue for so long, but if we all did what we wanted to do all the time, then we'd be in a right mess.

Well done to everyone else who waited, and shame on you "mate", whoever you are.

Mark Meredith, Leicester.

What has happened to the traditional 12 Days of Christmas?

I am amazed at how many people are so quick to take down their Christmas lights and decorations once Christmas and new year celebrations are out the way.

Yet some people have their lights and tree in place the beginning of November!

We saw a beautiful tree cast aside with the rubbish on December 29.

It's as if the true tradition of Christmas has really gone – so sad.

Name and address supplied.

It looks like an other episode of a Laurel and Hardy film with David Cameron saying to Nick Clegg "another fine mess you're getting me into!"

The annual fuel allowance is to help pensioners survive over the winter months, regardless of their bank balance.

All pensioners have earned the same rights as each other and should not be assessed on their personal circumstances as to whether they should have the £200 annual winter fuel allowance taken away from them.

It might make more sense if all MPs were to take a reduction in their exorbitant salaries and allowances until such time as they get our country back on its feet again.

Art Zarb, Oadby.

I was pleased to read Professor Boylan's letter ("Criticism of mayor wasn't always such a risk-free business", Mailbox, December 27).

It was most interesting and informative.

The only point of issue I have is that the picture shows a man in a pillory, does it not? Surely, a person in the stocks would be seated?

I am more than willing to be corrected if I got it wrong.

John Chapman, Leicester.

Is it not time only to award new year's honours to those who give up their time to do voluntary work and not to those in employment doing the job they are paid to do ?

George West, Groby.