In a message dated 04/10/2004 09:58:30 GMT Daylight Time, alan-vickers@lineone.net writes: I can remember the term 'forty thieves' being used in the early 1950s but it was not referring to Sunderland town council. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Alan, How do you know it wasn't, and who was it referring to? Regards Stan Mapstone www.mapstone.org