WHAT a misery R Mellen is (Letters, December 12).

How dare he call a nice group of youths at his door "a sorry looking gaggle". What's wrong with them singing We Wish You Merry Christmas to him, even if they weren't in tune? And what a cheek to criticise their wording of "sticky" for "figgy".

How rude to then shut the door in their faces, after hypocritically wishing them a "Merry Christmas". How can our young people be expected to be polite when adults behave this way?

A few coins or sweets wouldn't have gone amiss.What an unhappy Scrooge R Mellen must be.

Bryan R Lawson,

Burton Fields Road,

Stamford Bridge, York.

Updated: 09:44 Friday, January 07, 2005