I congratulate Matthew Woodcock, left, on his excellent column "Saying goodbye to Granddad" (April 16).

The old saying "that you can't put old heads on young shoulders" is very true; but unless we talk to our young folk how can they possibly understand what it was like for his Granddad's generation?

Having grown up during the Second World War where our expectations of obtaining material things was very low, but having the freedom to ride to Scarborough and back at the age of 12 and to visit a cinema on my own, quite safely, at 14, was what memories are made of.

We didn't have much money, debt was avoided if at all possible, but we were happy. We had stability at home, school and work. I wish I could say that today's youngsters will have the same.

The greatest testimony to your granddad, Mr Woodcock, is the way you have turned out. Anybody who can write an article like that can't be bad!

Mrs K Bolton,

Lord Mayor's Walk,

York.

Updated: 11:48 Monday, April 26, 2004