Sir, - Last week (D&S, June 6) the self-styled spokesman for Brompton-on-Swale Liberal Democrats said my comment, that the most recent application for a waste transfer site by Yorwaste was the least of three evils, signified I was recommending it. His lack of logic in this mystifies me.

He went on to say he wanted to see "councillors standing up to Yorwaste". I am very sorry he does not seem to be aware of the work I have done in this respect in the last three years or so. This includes working closely with the Scorton and Brompton-on-Swale action groups, with both parish councils too, latterly with the Gatherley Road business group at Brompton, on every possible committee occasion at County Hall, at three site visits which I had requested, and at the Government's public inquiry.

What a pity it is that Mr Rowe now tries to reduce the issue to petty party politics. Let me establish some further facts.

When the North Yorkshire County Council planning committee finally determined the proposal for the Tancred landfill site, each Liberal Democrat councillor voted in favour of the Yorwaste application. This included one who earlier in the meeting had declared an interest as a member of the Yorwaste board, and then went on to speak strongly in support of the application. So much for "councillors standing up to Yorwaste".

The dreadful consequence of this is that from 2005 the landfill site will gradually approach Scorton, to within a kilometre of the nearest village residences in 20 years' time.

County Coun MICHAEL HESELTINE

Member for Richmondshire North, North Yorkshire County Council.

Scorton,

Richmond.

Grand heritage

Sir, - It is a pity that my friend, Alan Wilcox, in guarding Richmond's heritage should take the recent report of Mayor-making as he did (D&S letters, June 6).

I can assure him and your readers that as deputy Mayor I was receiving the presentation of the newly-casketed key from Coun Parsons on behalf of the council.

The new casket, looking very grand, now resides in a suitable place in the presentation cabinet in the Mayor's parlour.

Perhaps I could take this opportunity of thanking all who supported Mayor-making this year and that as councillors we will take the utmost care to ensure that all the cherished items we have been given over many years will be most carefully looked after.

Coun OLIVER BLEASE

Newbiggin,

Richmond.

Love and care

Sir, - We refer to your report ("Nursing home couple struck off for care failure", D&S, June 6).

We first met Allan and June Richardson in the early 1990s when they first opened Wensleydale House Nursing Home, Leyburn.

My father-in-law, Edwin Sidney Gibson, was the first male resident to go into their home, and we were very pleased that he could spend the rest of his days there until he died.

During this three-year period, the personal care, love and attention given by Allan and June Richardson was exemplary. We would call at any time unannounced, and not once did we have any cause for concern.

Also over this period we got to know many of the other residents, and they all had nothing but praise for the home.

Allan and June would arrange to have social events, outings, Christmas and birthday parties for the residents, which was all over and above their line of duty.

It was like a large, happy, family home.

If everyone ran their nursing homes in the same way as Allan and June Richardson, the world would be a much happier place.

What is really important is the love and care shown to the residents, and not a lot of unnecessary paperwork.

ALLAN & EILEEN WATKINS

St Alkelda's Road,

Middleham.