Sir, - In response to Mr Latter's letter (D&S, Oct 25) about the withdrawal of the grant by Darlington Borough Council from Middleton St George Community Centre, he has my sympathy. I can understand his being aggrieved by this devastating blow, particularly when it targets young people and support organisations.

In villages and rural areas there are very limited interests and activities for young people to keep them off the streets and safe.

This withdrawal of the grant also applies to other villages which have the misfortune to be administered by Darlington Borough Council.

It is understood that grants to similar centres in Darlington remain intact. Clearly villagers in Middleton St George are now expected to pay through their council tax for the running and upkeep of social and community centres in Darlington and at the same time raise money locally to keep their own centre running.

This is a blatant inequality of service, with rural and villages paying for services they do not use.

I strongly disagree with Mr Latter's advice that people should write to Brian Jones and his council members. He should not try to blur the issue, neither try to lay blame where there is none. Brian Jones has not withdrawn the grant. Mr Latter should perhaps advise people to write to the leader of Darlington Borough Council; it is he who would preside over the decision to the withdrawal of these grants.

In each of the last two years, council taxes have been raised by 12pc and it is rumoured that in the coming year there will be a further demand of 9pc, in total an increase of 34pc in three years. This is an enormous burden of taxes and way above those levied in the neighbouring towns of Stockton and Middlesbrough.

Mr Latter does not give himself any credit by stirring and creating further misunderstanding between parish councillors and the community.

RON DAWSON,

The Front,

Middleton one Row

Waste worry

Sir, - I am a very concerned resident of Brompton on Swale. We have just been made aware that Yorwaste is applying for a planning application to put a waste transfer station in part of the old KP Factory units in the heart of Brompton on Swale.

This will involve bringing into this site thousands of tons of household waste to be dumped, sorted, partly recycled, then shipped out again to landfill sites in the county.

Yorwaste is trying to placate us with the advice that this station is only temporary over the next three years, but cannot guarantee that this term will not be extended after that.

It will bring chaos and further risk to an already busy village with this increase of heavy goods vehicles. It will also bring noise, dust and smell pollution to within 500 yards of the village pre-school nursery, village pubs, local retail businesses and villagers homes.

Surely, a more appropriate site could be found elsewhere instead of in the heart of what is a growing, thriving community. What better way of putting people out of business, de-valuing peoples' property and putting their health at risk than this?

If any readers can suggest how to fight this cause the villagers of Brompton on Swale would be very glad to hear from them.

Y A BROOKES

Brompton on Swale.

What euros?

Sir, - In your article "Real cost of food up for debate" (D&S Oct 25), you refer to the conference to be held in Durham City and to its relevance to local communities, the environment and the Third World.

Your article describes a subsidy of two euros per cow per day being paid within the EU, and how our MEP Stephen Hughes, would prefer this finance to be spent on Third World aid.

While applauding the motive to improve conditions in the Third World, may I point out that the subsidy of two euros per cow per day is as mythical to me as a dairy farmer, as my bank overdraft is real.

Dairy farmers have been producing milk at a loss for quite some time. Much of what we are doing is right and environmentally beneficial and much of what we are producing is good.

We are going through a very difficult time, and it will not take many more adverse effects to put us out of business. Enthusiasm for reform will have to be carefully directed if it is not to kill the goose that lays the golden egg which is so important to Britain's food processing industry.

ROBERT ARCHER

Walworth Gate,

Darlington.

Farmers' market

Sir, - I am writing in support of the farmers' market in Northallerton. What a wonderful selection of goods were on display; it was a pleasure to wander round, sample produce and purchase things not normally available in Northallerton.

The worst thing was the location, having to negotiate parked and moving cars on the Applegarth car park on a wet and windy day was not pleasant. Come on Northallerton, you should welcome this addition to the town. It will attract shoppers as it is adds to the produce you can buy in Northallerton. Why not give it a better location and some direction signs to remind people it is on that day.

B YOUNG

Thirsk Road,

Northallerton.

Point to ram

Sir, - Two headlines in the D&S Times (Oct 25) were oddly juxtaposed. One was "Six figure ram could be the dearest ever." The other "Farmers are earning virtually nothing from producing food."

Is it any wonder that the urban population tends to be cynical when farmers complain about their incomes?

Gerald Hodgson

Spennithorne,

Leyburn