MRS Mary Whitehouse, CBE was a remarkable lady in every respect, who when a middle-aged school teacher, wife, mother and devout Anglican, came to national and even international prominence, as a courageous campaigner.

Motivated by strong Christian beliefs and for the moral welfare of her pupils, Mary with a small circle of friends and her devoted and much-loved husband Ernest, hired Birmingham Town Hall, when coach-loads of supporters travelled from all over the country, packing the old hall. Rabble-rousing 'permissives' made the event a memorable occasion, after which the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association was established, the rest is history!

Mary said in the mid-sixties: "If you continually portray a violent society on television, you will in due course have a violent society"! She lived long enough to see this and other predictions come true, on the desensitising effects of the media; sexual depravity, obscene language, promiscuity, blasphemy, gratuitous violence; when an irresponsible media has brought about, with the help of Noddy Book theorists, moral, social and economic decadence to our once Christian nation.

Mary Whitehouse, CBE made enemies among those who profit from filth and evil. She made many more friends however, especially among those who are concerned for children, young people, the weak and vulnerable; such as parents, grandparents, teachers and other good people, anxious to uphold our traditional standards. Mary has earned her place in history "well done thou good and faithful servant"!

C T WAREING, Chairman, Midlands Regional Branch, Mediawatch UK, (formerly National Viewers' and Listeners' Association), Jays Close, Winyates Green, Redditch.