Horse sense

I think we are far from plague proportions although this may seem so if viewed from the periphery of several northern towns. Horse ownership has increased enormously due to increased leisure time and national prosperity, but the vast majority of horses are owned and managed by responsible, knowledgeable people who have adequate provision in the way of stabling and grazing.

Mr Keeble's colourful description of "acres of dereliction" is bunkum especially with reference to ragwort. All horse owners are aware of the danger of ragwort and battle against it constantly. The greatest culprits in the proliferation of ragwort are Richmondshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council highways department which have a legal responsibility to control this toxic weed - yet do nothing.

Mr Keeble's comment about good and important food producing land laying idle because of the horse is laughable. What about set-aside? Is this not good and important food-producing land? If not, then why is the taxpayer paying for it?

As to the lifespan of the horse being ten years, tell that to my 12-year-old mare who took me up the dale at a merry clip this morning. Nearer 20, Mr Keeble, nearer 20. And the disposal of horse carcases. This is totally at the owner's expense, unlike "our thirty months scheme" where compensation is paid and carcases rendered down at the taxpayer's expense.

Oh! and muddy bridleways - tut, tut Mr Keeble, how terrible when compared with the mud, slurry, silage etc dumped on our roads by inconsiderate farmers.

It looks like Mr Keeble has a big, big axe to grind.

I suggest that before he writes his next article he rests on his farm gate and considers whether or not it is balanced, rational, truthful and objective before he puts pen to paper - like a good professional journalist.

MAX HARDCASTLE

Westfields,

Harmby,

Leyburn.

Meet troubles

Sir, - The Richmond Meet Committee is delighted to see that people refer to the spring bank holiday weekend as the Meet Weekend, but points out that the problems at the King Street-Victoria Road corner are nothing to do with the Richmond Meet organisation. The Meet committee organises many events during the weekend for family entertainment, with the emphasis on family. Even though it has been suggested many times, the Meet does not provide alcohol at any of its events. The committee is well aware of the income a beer tent at the Sunday gala and Friary Gardens would provide, but in the interest of family fun has declined to take up the idea as it does not want rowdiness to spoil a family day.

On the other hand, the committee does not wish to impose its ideals on others and spoil their fun. The weekend is a very popular time for the licensed premises, as many like to have a drink in what is a party atmosphere. The problems mentioned in news articles did not occur until after the Meet events had closed.

The Meet does not condone in any way the attitude of those who spread out all over the corner, destroying flower beds and scattering glass and bottles. It is a disgrace and against everything the Meet stands for. The Meet has never asked to have the street closed, other than for the morning parade and does not have the intention, authority or personnel to enforce restrictions on those who are disruptive.

Richmond Meet committee feel it is the duty of the police and community support officers to control the crowds so that the Meet weekend can continue without trouble.

R S WHITE

Spokesman for the Meet committee.

Homeless plight

Sir, - On behalf of the Durham Amnesty Group, I would like to draw attention to Amnesty International's current campaign to end the demolition of houses and other properties and the destruction of agricultural land in Palestine by the Israeli military.

The campaign is being waged because of the very large number of people, at least 10,000, who have been made homeless as a result of these actions. At the time the report, entitled "Under the Rubble", underpinning the campaign was written, over 3,000 properties and vast areas of agricultural land had been destroyed including 10pc of all land in Gaza and 226,000 trees uprooted in the last three years alone. The situation is now much worse after the terrible destruction of houses in the refugee camp at Rafah.

One of the reasons given for knocking down houses is that they may house the families of suicide bombers. The shelling of these houses causes huge damage, with adjacent dwellings also destroyed, and the deaths of many innocent people, including women and children. Also, houses are bulldozed if it is claimed that they may be used to launch attacks. This amounts to collective punishment of civilians, an action forbidden by treaties, such as the Geneva Convention, which Israel is party to. The ongoing destruction has been condemned by many agencies such as the UN and the UK government.

If you share our concerns, we would ask you to please write to the Prime Minister and/or your MP/MEPs and request that action is taken to stop the Israelis from destroying properties and punishing innocent people.

JOHN SEVERS

Durham Group co-ordinator, Israel:OTs Campaign.

Election thanks

Sir, - Thank you to all of you who persevered through the confusion and ambiguity of the postal voting system and voted for me to represent the Mashamshire Ward on Harrogate Borough Council.

Thank you all for the trust and confidence you have placed in me and for all the encouragement and support you have given me during the run up to the election.

Please be assured that I will speak up for Mashamshire at every available opportunity. Nearly all of the rural wards are now represented by Conservatives and together we will be able to make sure that our rural voice is heard.

COUN NIGEL SIMMS

Green Croft,

Leyburn Road,

Masham