SIR – Thank you for your article and Comment on Eric Gibbs (T&A, October 13).
Can I add my appreciation for the 26 years Eric spent working for the Probation Service in Bradford.
Eric prepared reports for magistrates and judges that were valued for their humanity and a determination to help people change for the better.
He pioneered new ways of working with juvenile offenders and of enlisting ordinary men and women to tackle the problems of their estate.
He was a good man, but he wasn’t a saint, and like many individuals who actually make a difference, he tested the patience of those who preferred more bureaucratic approaches.
It’s 15 years or so since Eric left the Probation Service, but there are a few of us who will raise a pint to his memory and swap stories of days gone by.
Cheers Eric.
Rob Voakes, Head of Probation, Wakefield
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article