Sir, - I rarely write letters to newspapers but the Bedale Christmas Fun Day held on November 30, I feel most certainly warrants it.

What a disappointment. It was basically a children's playground - shuggy boats, fairground stalls and Sumo wrestling. It was more like Flamingoland than a traditional Christmas shopping event.

Yes, primarily Christmas is a time for children but it is also for the rest of the family and there was very little in Bedale that Saturday to attract the serious festive shopper. Vintage cars pull in the crowds but not in the middle of winter! These occupied the whole of North End, taking up vital parking places. Leave this for the warm weather when people can appreciate them.

Come on Bedale, we can do better than this.

A Victorian fair with a market selling local produce, crafts, hot chestnut stalls, baked potatoes, hula hoops, and people in traditional costume always attract shoppers in droves and is much more appropriate. Bedale's traders and customers alike would have benefited greatly from such an event.

Masham and Leyburn's Christmas Fairs are always a huge success and Northallerton's late night shopping evening is a bonus to those who work full-time.

The Bedale event used to be an enjoyable day out for everyone. Shops gave out mince pies, mulled wine, the pubs did specials and the town really got into the swing of festivities. This year's effort was as miserable as the weather. What has happened?

SARAH WHITE

Wycar,

Bedale.

Different doctors

Sir, - With reference to a letter from Rose Severs (D&S, Dec 6) I should like to add my support for Mr Van Vuuren.

I have been a NHS patient with a very complicated knee replacement which he has treated with great care and expertise. I cannot speak too highly of his kindness and professionalism. I see no comparison between Mr Van Vuuren and Mr Neale and regret the way they have been cast in the same mould.

DOROTHY TEASDALE

Crakehall,

Bedale.

Sir, - I would like to endorse the letter from Rose Severs re Mr Van Vuuren (D&S, Dec 6).

Mr Van Vuuren replaced one of my knees three years ago, and it has been splendid. Mr Van Vuuren was always most caring and helpful in explaining the procedure and treated me and my husband in a most gentlemanly manner.

JOYCE GUNTON

Lile Close,

Richmond.

Great dominoes

Sir, - Thanks to all the shopkeepers and business people in Thirsk for the generous gifts they donated to our club for prizes for our Christmas Domino Drive.

This was held on Monday night, December 2, and was a very good evening. The prizes were really good and much appreciated by all the people who came. We raised £100 which will go a long way to pay for the running of the club.

W R TOTTIE

Secretary, Thirsk and Sowerby Darby & Joan Club,

The Maltings,

Sowerby.

Are you local?

Sir, - In the report of the attempted burglary at Middleham post office (D&S Dec 6), DC Chris Burton of Richmond Police states that the burglars could be people with local knowledge to fell trees across possible escape routes.

Nobody with local knowledge would have felled the trees near Spennithorne as locals would not travel along that road to go to or from Middleham.

Is DC Chris Burton a local and is he trying to blame locals for the break in?

TOM KNOWLES

Sycamore Close,

Spennithorne.

Free offer

Sir, - The Dry Stone Walling Guild is the only voluntary group that operates within the industry.

Founded in 1994 it had very many aims including a particular one which is to help and assist workers within the dry stone walling industry.

In the past year two professional wallers have been helped in the form of supplying them with free tools and equipment.

The guild has some further free tools etc which will be given to either a would-be or a current professional waller.

Any person who would come to take up this free offer then please apply by letter only to: The Secretary, DSWG, 94 Sowerby Crescent, Stokesley, TS9 5EE.

EDDIE ROWNEY

Sowerby Crescent,

Stokesley