Sir, - Great Ayton High Street Closure Farce - in the style of a Fifties Ealing comedy:

The scene is set at a meeting of the parish council in fictitious village of Much-Bowling-by-the-Leven ...

Coun Bluerinse: Are we all agreed, we write to the district council to express our anger, in the strongest possible terms, at the precipitate closure of our beloved High Street ?

Ayes all round.

Coun Bluerinse: Clerk, see that a letter to that effect is sent to our district councillor directly!

Pregnant pause.

Coun Rustypump: Err, aren't you our district councillor?

Coun Bluerinse: Oh yes! Silly me!, Oh well we can't be doing that then, oh no. What can we do then?

Coun Arrowsmith: (Touches forelock reverently).Well we could complain to our county councillor!

Coun Bluerinse: Excellent idea! Well lets move on..... hang on though aren't you our county councillor, Arrowsmith ?

Coun Arrowsmith: Oh lor' yes cripes! Can't be having that then. Can't blame the council johnnies either, they can't answer back, leaks to the press, they would have field day.

Now wait a minute...if the pre-notification process seems to have failed. Ah yes!.....The System!

All: The System!

Coun Arrowsmith: Well done everyone, no one to blame then, gin and tonics all round.

If Great Ayton Parish Council ("Fury over abrupt closing of High Street", D&S June 6), containing representatives of both district and county, can't get its act together over a simple issue such as this, what hope is there for more complex issues.

It is all very well John Fletcher and Co generating a load of froth over what is in reality a very trivial issue, but on a more serious note, it is up to councillors to develop and monitor effective systems. The feeble attempt to blame everyone else, including the redoubtable and hardworking Mr Scarff, was little short of laughable.

I personally found that what was effectively a one-way system was considerably safer and environmentally more pleasant for me and my fellow pedestrians.

Dr PAUL W SHELTON

The Waltons,

Great Ayton.

Why no charge?

Sir, - I read your article about a warden at a sheltered housing complex in Darlington being dismissed from her job for alleged financial irregularities.

Surely if she was dismissed, it was proven and, not alleged as stated. It doesn't say if the police have been involved. If not, why not?

Is the council keeping quiet because the wrong person was doing the job or what? If so, it doesn't give the present residents much faith or trust in the council anymore.

So much for care in the community.

NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD BY AGREEMENT

Telephone pests

Sir, - Margaret Cave (D&S, June 6) has been unfortunate (the price of fame, perhaps?). I registered with the telephone preference service three years ago and have only once had a cosy-friend call since.

I said I don't accept cold calls and at once, as Mrs Cave reports, the caller clicked off.

I have given the preference service number to many friends, all of whom have proved its value.

CONNIE BOND

Park View,

Leyburn.

Battlefield tours

Sir, - May I remind your readers of the work of the War Research Society, the battlefield pilgrimage tour organisation for which I am the local contact.

The number and scope of the tours is always increasing and we now cover both world wars in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Italy, Singapore, the Bridge on the River Kwai, and the South African Boer and Zulu wars.

Our experienced team of couriers and guides includes lecturers with specialist knowledge of the Somme and the Ypres Salient; at Arnhem we are accompanied by a former member of the Dutch Resistance who gives a graphic account of the battle from the inside.

We can assist in tracing war graves and carry out additional research if required. Tours are tailored to meet the wishes of those travelling and nowhere is too out of the way to visit. Financial help can be given in some cases to assist a visit with us and photographs can be taken for those unable to travel.

The War Research Society is entirely dedicated to remembrance of the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and, being a charitable organisation, is able to actively support Forces' charities, institutions and causes. Inquiries are welcome. Further information and a tour brochure will be sent on receipt of an addressed A5 envelope and a 44p stamp.

ANDREW NADEN

The War Research Society,

The Lodge,

Wensley, Leyburn.