Now that the football season is upon us and our local television station is showing four games of a weekend which equates to 167 quarters with an average of six goals per quarter therefore 122 ads per quarter.

Multiply this by four quarters gives you 48 ads a game then adds 10 ads at the end of each quarter and at the end of the game will add up to 88 ads each game shown. But there are four games shown each weekend so multiply each by the ads shown over each game by four gives you 352 ads for the weekend viewing.

There are 23 rounds for the season therefore we the viewing public have to sit through 8096 ads for the season of football.

Now we come to the finals where there are nine games including the Grand Final where the ads become more frequent as the finals attract more viewers so I suppose we can add another 1000 ads to the round total giving the viewers over 9000 ads to sit through just to watch a football game where it has virtually got to the point where the football is literally interrupting the ads.

We realise that ads make the television station revenue so why doesn’t the television station use this to purchase newer programs instead of the same repeat movies, RBT, and all the old ABC programs that were on 20 years ago.

So come on television stations, give the viewing public more than just old programs, movies, reality programs and the bombardment of ads in each program especially sporting events.

Don Lumley, Newnham.

I WAS raised in a beautiful and nurturing small Tassie town.

As a child I went to church most Sundays with family and friends and attended the school next door. Living in this much loved little town I learnt to respect human rights, be outraged and speak out when I believe those human rights are being neglected or abused, even when it’s deemed unnecessary, too close to home or too dangerous by the powers that be.

Nurtured as a child with unconditional love, and through the years, even when at times loved ones see the world through different eyes, that love remains constant and strong.

My love and thoughts are with the people of Meander in regard to Home of Hope. I completely understand those within the community wanting to embrace Teen Challenge with open arms.

My concerns lay with the environment from whence the women and children will have come, the isolation of the ton from law enforcement and the past and present history of perpetrators of power in sheep's’ clothing within Christian establishments, and how often whistleblowers continue to be treated with such disrespect by these establishments.

If Home of Hope comes to life I hope and pray the women and children will be shown the respect they truly deserve.

Deb Johnston-Andrews, Newnham.

THE TASMANIAN Artisan Shop in George Street is very welcome in Launceston, until how many of the so called souvenirs have been made in China.

It is excellent that over 50 local artists and craftspeople have their work on display and for sale at very reasonable prices.

I bought a colourful and delightful painting for $48. With Christmas less than nine months away, people these days have tight budgets and are looking for interesting rather than expensive gifts.

I suggest both this shop and the shop at QVMAG.

I know some people start preparing for next Christmas on Boxing Day, especially with the sales.

Malcolm Scott, Newstead.