Last updated 15:59, Wednesday, 11 June 2008

SIR – Gerard Richardson and everyone involved in the Queen’s visit deserve congratulations – it was a lovely occasion.

Ugly scene? Champion gurner Tommy Mattinson pulls his world famous face for the Queen during her tour of The Beacon

However, did we really need the imbecile grimaces of the gurner at The Beacon? It conveyed the erroneous impression that at Whitehaven people are not quite “a full shilling”.

The Queen was not amused as she was just simply bewildered.

Mrs Margaret WESTHEAD

The Crofts, St Bees

SIR – The Queen’s failure to be amused by the gurner on her arrival at Whitehaven was reported extensively in the national newspapers and on television. Sadly, the considerable publicity did little for the image of the town which was my birthplace.

While many West Cumbrians can fall about laughing at the sight of someone pulling a grotesque face through a horse’s collar, this strange local custom does not necessarily have the same effect on visitors to the area when they are confronted with it at the start of a busy day.

The organisers of the Beacon visit should have been content to promote Whitehaven’s own superb heritage and waterfront, while confining gurning to the Egremont Crab Fair where it belongs.

Robert COON

Cypress Way, Penrith

SIR – A remarkably well-organised programme had been devised for the visit of HM the Queen.

Why then did this have to include the posturing of the ‘Gurner’ to the visible surprise and disdain of Her Majesty? This act must only lead to Whitehaven’s townpeople being subjected to mockery from the metropolitan Chattering Classes who saw it on TV. Whilst ‘gurning’ is a traditional Cumbrian pastime, it has no place in such a celebration, being more appropriate to Egremont Crab Fair than to Whitehaven’s 300th anniversary celebrations.

Brian PARNABY

Ullock