Considerate too

We have been caravanners for 40 years on and off , and are, we hope, careful and considerate road users as are thousands of others like us out there, bolstering greatly the tourist industry all over the country, and, believe it or not, we get stuck behind other road users too - tractors. wagons and coaches. It is not always us holding up other traffic, also most other traffic does not treat us with any consideration, either expecting us to stop dead when they pull out in front of us rather than risk being behind us for a few miles.

One road I do agree was never meant for caravans is the alternative route for Scarborough, avoiding Sutton Bank. Whoever decided on this route had surely never driven a caravan along its narrow, twisting lanes with very few passing places.

I understand some countries who appreciate the money we bring to the economy actually provide pulling in places for caravans so traffic can pass.

As for the comment about being pleased that police are checking caravans (which is a good thing), from his tone he would hope we all get so hassled we'll stop our simple pleasure of a caravan holiday. As a "Countryman", he should appreciate caravan sites as mini conservation areas as David Bellamy does.

Shame on you, Nicholas, your prejudice is showing!

MRS J RUMFORD

Bates Avenue,

Darlington.

Cricket pioneers

Sir, - In the annals of cricket, the name of Thomas Lord will always be held in high esteem and Thirsk can rightly take pride in being his birthplace. When he went to London, Thomas Lord became lessee of the Allsopp Arms and was soon known as a cricket enthusiast. When he was asked to find a suitable site for the White Conduit Cricket Club, he first settled on a field in what is now Dorset Square and the MCC, as it became known, began playing there in 1787. When the lease ran out, Thomas looked elsewhere and he was ultimately offered the present site of Lord's Cricket Ground by the owners, the Eyre family. Records show that cricket was first played there in 1814.

We in the North-East can claim another connection with the game for it was the 2nd Duke of Richmond who was one of the earliest cricketing enthusiasts. Known locally for his concern to keep Richmond Castle in good repair, he played an important part in having the original rules of cricket agreed in 1744.

The Richmonds continued to be supporters of the game and the 4th Duke, who was made governor-in-chief of the British provinces in North America, is known to have played cricket with some of his troops only a few days before he died.

DAVID MORRIS

Prior Avenue,

Richmond.

Misleading claim

Sir, - The Advertising Standards Authority upheld a complaint from the League Against Cruel Sports that pro-hunt poll had "flawed methodology and unreliable results".

The claim by the Countryside Alliance "that 59pc of the public" say "keep hunting" has been ruled "misleading" by the authority.

This means that the Countryside Alliance will not be able to advertise this claim again. It has also been advised to seek advice before producing any future advertisement.

The Market Research Society (MRS), the professional body for market, social and opinion research, has made similar criticisms against NOP, the polling company used by the Countryside Alliance.

The Government must listen to the majority of the public and MRS and deliver on its promise to resolve this issue.

I await with bated breath the comments of the Countryside Alliance.

VALERIE WHITBY

Houghton Bank Farm,

Heighington.

Age injustice

Sir, - I am writing to ask readers of the D&S to support the Mobilise campaign which is fighting to end the injustice of age discrimination in disability benefits.

The Mobilise campaign has the backing of organisations including Help the Aged, Disability Alliance, Royal National Institute of the Blind and Spinal Injuries Association. They are working to change the rules that mean people who become disabled at or after the age of 65 cannot get help with mobility or low-level care needs.

Whilst younger disabled people get disability living allowance, older disabled people get the much more limited attendance allowance. How can it be right to deny people help simply because of their age?

The campaign is asking readers to write to their local MP and ask them to sign the Mobilise Early Day Motion, no 953; or log on to www.helptheaged.org.uk/campaigns to send an e-mail in support of the campaign.

Please act now to stand up for the rights of older disabled people.

PAUL FISHER

Hambleton Over-Fifties' Forum

High Street,

Northallerton.

Friends indeed

Sir, - As the 60th anniversary of D-Day resonates, I thought it would be timely to send you details about your local branch of SSAFA Forces Help, the Soldiers', Sailors', Airmen's and their Families' Association.

Sixty years ago, thousands of men helped us by going into battle on the beaches of Normandy, risking their lives to secure the nature of life in the British Isles as we know it. They, and many after them, have suffered unimaginable terror protecting the country that we call home. Now, many of those men and their families may need our help, and SSAFA Forces Help is on hand to provide this assistance.

Sometimes after a life in the Services, people require specialist support and care because of their unique past experiences. SSAFA Forces Help is an organisation that can provide this through its network of trained volunteers.

We also assist with less complex issues. A simple friendship visit or help with filling out tricky forms can make a huge difference. Volunteers spend their time meeting ex-service personnel and their families, including widows and widowers.

In 2003, SSAFA Forces Help volunteers helped more than 70,000 people or families and raised £14m towards their care.

If you know of anyone who has some free time and would like to know more about becoming a SSAFA Forces Help volunteer, we would be delighted to hear from them. Full training and support will be provided and no military service background is necessary.

MICHAEL D BOOKER

Press and awareness officer

SSAFA Forces Help,

North Yorkshire.

Wonderful reply

Sir, - Reading about the special day at Leeming Garth of Florence Cook celebrating her 103rd birthday (D&S June 4). When asked the secret for such a long life she gave a wonderfully rare reply, "selflessness".

Had people world wide adopted such a philosophy things would have been so much different today.

DOUGLAS PUNCHARE

Bylands,

Keldholme,

Kirkbymoorside.