Sir, - I refer to your report "Right to roam amid lethal racehorses" (D&S, Jan 16).

I was born in Middleham in 1931 and left during the Second World War, and have returned to stay with relatives, hotels and B&Bs ever since.

The number of horses from M D Peacock, N Crump and Mr Harper (later Mr Everitt) together with horses from Spigot and other moorside yards was considerable, as the lads rode out at least two lots every day.

The farmers in Middleham and Coverdale purchased gates for the cattle and sheep and shooting rights, and I don't know of anyone other than my father, who worked for Dobson and Matthew Peacock, having a serious accident.

A few stable lads died from the dangers of their occupations as evidenced in Coverham churchyard. People walk on the moor, across Sunskew and through pastures to the Black Dubb through dozens of yearlings without problems.

The nearest anyone got to anything lethal was if a lad was thrown and the horse charged back to its stable, but I cannot remember any accidents in town.

How many people have been injured on the moor in the last 50 years? The council appears to want to stop people using the moor completely and let the trainers have exclusivity.

The trainers, and there must be about 15 now, obviously like what the moor has to offer as far as running costs go as every available suitable place houses horses. No doubt facilities have improved for the horses as they now have a swimming pool and a vet.

As Middleham doesn't have a doctor and the nearest medical facility is in Leyburn, would it not be a good idea to charge the trainers who use the moor whichever stable they come from, according to the number of horses using it?

Charge full rates to the latter-day occupiers of holiday and weekend retreats and build a large car park for out-of-town visitors for the pleasure of walking on the moor, leaving room for locals to park outside their homes.

Middleham could then build a cottage hospital or a manned day clinic for the humans. Any accidents could be dealt with fairly quickly.

G PARKER

Iddison Drive,

Bedale.

Common land

Sir, - Middleham has some real problems, street lighting, a full cemetery, no car park, and what does the parish council do? Attempt to make it illegal for the world and his wife to step foot on Middleham Low and High Moor. It beggars belief as Middleham High and Low Moor are registered common land.

M PITMAN

The Corner House

Kirkgate

Middleham