Poor show

The roundabout sits at the entrance to Thirsk for motorists coming off several main roads, from the A19 North and South, from the East down Sutton Bank and from the A1 via the A168/A19.

As such, it's strategic importance as a "you have arrived, welcome to Thirsk" landmark cannot be denied.

In Spring, Ingramgate will be a magnificent floral display, thanks to the ongoing and marvellous efforts of the volunteer groups of Thirsk in Bloom and the Rotary Club.

Snowdrops, winter aconites, crocuses and daffodils will create a truly beautiful, colourful, corridor for incoming motorists to admire and enjoy.

Why then do we have such a pathetic display on the roundabout ?

What message, first impression and greeting does this convey to people entering our town? A very poor one if you ask me.

I am proud to be a member of both Thirsk in Bloom and the Rotary Club and I know the time, effort and money that has been invested. The results of their efforts are there for all to see.

Why then are we incumbered by a town council that at best cannot have spent more than £50 at trade prices on the planting of so few pansies, and what of the inevitable higher maintenance costs for weeding in the absence of ground cover ?

Carry on down Ingramgate and one can see 12 tubs on the library railings. These tubs have more plants between them than are on the roundabout.

But look if you will beneath the tubs on the pavement. There you will see what would pass for the National Collection of weeds, courtesy of the council.

In the Yorkshire in Bloom competition, the town rejoiced in being placed fourth, having been eighth last year. But the judges' comments highlighted our public areas as a weakness in terms of the overall effort.

Who will stand up and be held accountable to me and the people of Thirsk for the lack of effort shown by the town council in respect of its derisory horticultural efforts?

TONY JORDAN

St James' Green,

Thirsk.

Mill's demise

Sir, - It is saddening to see the demise of Brompton's mill chimney after some 150 years.

The battle to persuade owner Felicity Bonaventura that the chimney was part of the village's heritage involved literally hundreds of local people. In the end, however, she decided that it was to be destroyed.

The one silver lining from this sad episode is that an approach by the Brompton Heritage Group to save the chimney's cap for re-erection in the village has been accepted. So at least some of it may still be seen in the future, provided a suitable site is found.

The remainder of the structure is, I believe, to be disposed of as hard core on a local farm - an ignominious end.

Throughout, Mrs Bonaventura hid behind a cloak of anonymity, handling any response to the campaigners through an agent. What a shame she did not feel inclined even to bother talking to us. Yet history will record her as the one who made this dreadful decision.

And despite the strong local feeling that the chimney should stay, our district councillor, Bert Langthorne, gave no support (unlike County Coun Coulson).

Just why was he so keen to see the chimney wiped from the landscape? The crazy idea that it was dangerous has been totally discredited as demolition contractors came across its great strength - something villagers knew months ago when they offered to pay for a structural survey.

Finally, local authorities elsewhere should take note of this episode to ensure that the failings of Hambleton's planners to protect our heritage are not repeated elsewhere.

VINCE RUTLAND

Church View,

Brompton,

Northallerton.

Bio-fuel hope

Sir, - Many contrasting views are expressed about wind farms as a source of renewable energy.

Whether one thinks they are the answer or not, it must be acknowledged that the Government's efforts to use renewable energy to preserve the environment and prevent atmospheric pollution are at best only a token gesture.

Other countries are way ahead of us in developing the use of bio-fuels from farm crops and renewable energy from timber. Encouragement for this would also directly help farmers overcome their current financial difficulties, which are due in no little measure to Government discrimination against them.

The promise to stop imports of timber from places where rain forests have been decimated has gone the way of so many promises while adding to the supposed threat of climate change.

The emptiness of this talk of environmental concern is shown by a willingness to transport products from all over the world, causing massive pollution. This is even more evident when one considers that every bit of support for non-fossil fuels has to be wrung from the Government while fuel for air transportation is given a huge tax advantage.

J HESLOP

Langton Farm,

Gainford.

Political betrayal

Sir, - In this year which marks 50 years since our Queen was crowned, I look with sadness at what us going on "in high places".

Our national leaders have no mandate to do other than faithfully and intelligently to administer the coronation oath. That is their job description; that is what they signed up to and promised to fulfil when they made their oath of allegiance to Her Majesty on becoming Members of Parliament.

How many of them actually realise this? How many of them are aware of these things on a practical, day-to-day basis? How many have made a study of the coronation service or given serious consideration to the actions it requires of them? To treat the oath with disdain is bad news for us all.

JUDITH BULL

Linden Grove,

Linthorpe,

Middlesbrough.