Sir, - Great concern was voiced at the recent meeting of Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council attended by 32 members of the public who heard of the present position regarding Vodaphone's application to erect two mobile telecommunication masts on the tower of St Margaret's Church, Hawes.

The matter is currently before the Church of England Consistory Court with a hearing of the objections to the application by the parochial church council for consent to the erection of the masts scheduled for March 2003.

A petition against the masts has been signed by 327 persons and a number of written representations protesting against the masts have been made by residents to the church authorities.

Parish council members are aware of local feeling and have supported the objections to the masts. The meeting was informed that there was the possibility of an application being submitted to the national park planning authority for a multi-use mast located on a fellside away from residential property and buildings used by children.

In the light of continuing opposition by residents, councillors decided to instruct me to write to the individual members of the PCC and also to write this open letter appealing to the members of the PCC to reverse the decision to agree to the masts and withdraw the application now before the Consistory Court.

Alternatively, if the PCC application proceeds and is successful, then its members are asked to defer entering into any agreement with Vodaphone until the position regarding a multi-use mast is determined.

The parish council is also asking the vicar, the Rev Bill Simms, if a small delegation of councillors and concerned residents could attend the next PCC meeting to put forward their views.

The parish council is very much aware of the division which has been created between the Church and a large number of its parishioners. The result is the spoiling of the usually very friendly atmosphere of this market town where there is a long tradition of mutual support between residents.

The parish council hopes that, even at this late stage, the Church will acknowledge its responsibilities to parishioners, listen to what they have to say and act accordingly.

Ian Fowler

Clerk to Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council.

It's not policy

Sir, - Your front page report "National Park guardians snub wind power: (D&S, Dec 27) raises a number of points:

The Voice of the Moors magazine, issued monthly by the North Yorkshire Moors Association, is designed to reflect the personal opinions of members of the association, and others, rather than to be a mouth-piece for its officers.

The article which you quote therefore does not reflect the association's views. For example, you mention a "policy" to resist wind power. As a long-term member, I cannot recall the membership having been canvassed on this important issue.

It is quite possible that they would vote to resist large-scale wind-power in the national park, but they have not yet been asked! I am certain, though, that they would whole-heartedly support the national park authority's desire to move energy generation and use in the national park towards renewable sources, including wind.

The article also mentions "nuclear power eliminating carbon pollution." This could only apply to electricity generation within the UK, without talking into account carbon emissions and the dreadful environmental damage resulting from uranium mining elsewhere, and its concentration to useable fuel. Nor would it apply to the as-yet unsolved problem of the long-term safe disposal of nuclear waste.

Nuclear power does not eliminate global carbon pollution. The proliferation of nuclear plants for electricity generation, also encourages the proliferation of material for making nuclear bombs (eg North Korea).

PETER WOODS

Danby.

Wonderful support

Sir, - The Brompton Village Hall Christmas draw and domino drive on December 14 raised £420. This welcome addition to hall funds would not have been possible without the generous support of the local businesses and individuals who donated prizes, all those who purchased raffle tickets and, in particular, all those who turned up on the night to play dominoes.

On behalf of the Committee I would thank everyone who supported us, in whatever form it took, and we very much hope their support will continue for the coming year.

We also very much look forward to seeing all of our regular players, and anyone else who cares to join us, for our next domino drive, which is at 7.30 on Friday January 24.

R J CARTER

Chairman, Brompton Village Hall Management Committee,

Stokesley Road,

Northallerton.