WHILE I understand the developers of the BBC site on Queen Margaret Drive want to make as much money from the deal as possible, I think they, and other West End developers, are in danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg. One of the major attractions of the area, or at least it was when I first moved here from Dennistoun 30 years ago, was the mixture of fine architecture and open space. For generations, that was what made the West End a special place. We owe the Victorian and Edwardian developers a vote of thanks for their enlightened self interest, after all many of them kept the finest homes for themselves. Unfortunately, today's developers are a different breed. With new flats being thrown up on every spare inch of ground, and a huge supermarket planned for Partick, the West End I knew and loved is fast vanishing behind faceless walls of concrete and banal new builds. Where will the developers go next once they have ruined this area? CHARLIE KEITH Via e-mail Tommy's bid to ban airguns

GOOD luck to MSP Tommy Sheridan and his bid to finally outlaw airguns once and for all (Evening Times, December 18). Outwith certain sports or occupations there is no earthly reason why anybody should own or use one of these lethal weapons. The sooner they are banned the better as far as I'm concerned. GINA LEE Glasgow Turn down shop music

CITY centre shops should realise that not all their customers are teeny-boppers or stone deaf, and turn down the incessant pop music. Twice this week I've gone into shops only to turn right round again when hit with a wall of noise. The one time I asked if the music could be turned down they just ignored me. I worked in shops - from chip shops to department stores - for more than 30 years and was always told that it was rude to make customers shout over the top of the radio. The shops that pump out the racket are the ones which lose out. I took my custom, my money and my Christmas list somewhere I could hear myself think. AILSA MACPHERSON Maryhill Crack down on collectors

WHEN is something going to be done to rein in the professional street beggars in Glasgow? I'm talking about the charity collectors who throng the city centre. Yesterday, walking between Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre, I was approached six times by these pests. I've nothing against charity, but why does the city council grant so many licences to these 'collectors'? ALEX LINDSAY Knightswood Scots lose in language class

EDUCATIONALISTS are concerned that fewer young Scots are learning foreign languages. It's no surprise then many kids are losing out on jobs when they find themselves up against overseas students who can often speak two, if not three languages. If you were an employer, who would you want on your team? While all this is going on, the Scottish Executive is making great play of the millions of pounds they are spending to promote the ailing Gaelic language. Would it not make more sense to promote the learning of other European languages with the same generosity? HUGH MULLHOLLAND Hamilton WRITE: Evening Times, 200 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3QB. Please include your name and address. E-MAIL: letters@eveningtimes.co.uk Please include postal address. FAX: 0141 302 6688. TEXT: key in the word 'etletters', leave a space then send your comments to 88010. Max 160 characters. Please include your name or initials and where you're from. Texts cost 25p at all times.