Letters: No pride?

The rat problem could be significantly reduced if there was vigorous enforcement of the anti-litter laws. Offenders should be prosecuted in the magistrates courts and the most appropriate form of punishment would be a sentence of something like 200 hours of community service, picking up litter in the most rat infested areas of our towns.

The impact of this measure could be significanly increased if it was possible for them to be arrested and immediately frogmarched to the courts for sentencing.

Eating in the street is another cause. When I see pupils from Northallerton College walking along the town's High Street, often five or six abreast, munching their "takeaways" and sometimes dropping the containers onto the pavement, I often ask myself if the school is an academy for the training of the next generation of litter louts.

Does not this school have any pride in itself? The word "ethos" does not appear to feature in its vocabulary.

DAVID HILL

Boroughbridge Road,

Northallerton.

Moorland birds

Sir, - I must take issue with many of the statements in W H Chapman's letter (Managing moors, D&S, Sept 12).

He acknowledges the benefits to waders, such as golden plover, curlew and lapwing, from well-managed grouse moors, but says these species cannot be described as rare.

However, the recent BTO/RSPB survey of waders has revealed "staggering population declines" in the lowlands. It is surely to be applauded that they are increasing on moors where there is sympathetic management. If declines elsewhere continue, grouse moors may well become critical to the survival of many wader species.

Contrast this with birds of prey which Mr Chapman describes as "truly rare" - yet the UK populations of all raptor species are actually increasing. He specifically mentions the buzzard which is traditionally seen as a carrion feeder, but in some places the increase in their numbers has been so great that competition is forcing them to take chicks - including waders.

The essential point is that traditional grouse moor management is a practical and holistic way to maintain the habitat for a wide range of birds, but this conservation work could not be done on such a large scale without the income generated by shooting surplus red grouse in some years.

The best way to demonstrate where our "rich wildlife heritage" is being best preserved is to compare a well-managed grouse moor with a neglected moor in the spring when birds are nesting. You can see and hear the difference.

TIM BAYNES

Moorland Policy and Information Officer

The Countryside Alliance,

Richmond.

This is not sport

Sir, - In his letter Simon Clarke states (D&S, Sept 19) that "Shooting is a fast-growing sport ..."

Fast-growing it may be but a sport it is not. A sport is a pastime in which all the participants know the rules. It is easy to buy books explaining the rules of cricket, football, hockey etc. and instructions for enjoying energetic pastimes that do not necessarily involve competing such as swimming and rock-climbing, but how are pheasants informed of the rules pertaining to shooting?

Those who refer to killing as a sport, whether what they kill are pheasants, grouse, deer, foxes, hares or fish, do so in an attempt to justify their delight in killing. Unfortunately they appear to fool a lot of the people a lot of the time, but they don't fool me!

PATRICIA TRICKER

Arrathorne,

Bedale.

Better roads

Sir, - Why are country roads so neglected? They are unable to cope with the size of modern traffic so the edges are broken and the surfaces are not levelled.

Springs and shock absorbers are often damaged and I have on occasions grounded the car on the suspension frame when pulling over for oncoming traffic because there is no edge to the road. We could do with a scalloped culvert along the verges that would support a vehicle and help drainage. If rural roads were cleaner trunk roads in turn would be cleaner.

I am told by the highways engineer that there is not the money. Could they therefore spend less on all these technicolour schemes and rumble strips which in turn create their own problems plus extra noise and pollution? (See debate in The Times this week.)

Lastly, why is Picks Lane in Thirsk one way now? It used to be a useful way to avoid town centre congestion. Perhaps it is to do with being renamed Masonic Lane?

Rev TODDY HOARE

Knayton,

Thirsk.

In memory

Sir, - In July, Northallerton united with John and Sandra Hyde to mourn the loss of their son, Ben. As mayor , it was my privilege to be at the funeral and lend whatever support I could on that sad day.

On September 23, I was honoured to attend the dedication ceremony for the memorial seat, which was purchased on behalf of the people of Northallerton, in memory of Ben. The seat was chosen by John and Sandra and is a fitting tribute to a brave young man who died for his country.

There is one further honour we can grant Ben and his family, which is to have his name engraved on the war memorial next to All Saints' Church. Having spoken to John and Sandra, I discovered that they would regard this to be a fitting tribute.

I intend to make a resolution to this effect at the October council meeting. But, before than I would like to give people the opportunity to comment.

Perhaps you know of another Northallerton person who would be eligible to have their name included? I look forward to receiving your views.

Coun TONY HALL

Mayor of Northallerton,

Town Hall.