Sir, - I think it would useful to clarify the position of Middleton St George Community Centre.

The management committee manages the community centre as a facility for use by other village organisations. In practice the association is the seven or eight people who form the committee and who devote a lot of their own time, money and energy into keeping the centre going. They are not fund raisers - they are simply helping in a practical way toward making the village a worthwhile place to live in.

The centre is heavily used, but largely by people such as guides, brownies and senior citizens who cannot afford to contribute very much more than they currently pay. Following the withdrawal by the borough council of the grant which made up about two thirds of the annual income, the management committee wrote to Low Dinsdale and Middleton St George Parish Councils, asking them if they would be prepared to find about £5,000 per year to keep the centre running.

This may seem a lot of money but the effect on the village would be a rise in council tax of about £3 per year per household - not £3 a month or a week as rumour has it.

It has been said that many people don't use the centre so should not be expected to pay. Some who use that argument don't use the village school, the water park or the playing field either but are still content to contribute through their local and national taxes because these things are socially worthwhile. It has also been suggested that the centre finds some other form of grant aid but, despite considerable effort, the committee has not been able to identify any funding source that will even consider giving a grant for these purposes - and more than three quarters of thoroughly worthy grant applications are unsuccessful anyway.

Low Dinsdale Parish Council agreed two months ago to pay their share of the running costs but disappointingly Middleton St George Council has, as yet, been unable to follow suit.

I would urge everyone in the village who feels that the centre is worth saying, to write, telephone or speak personally to MSG parish councillors or to the chairman, Coun Brian Jones without delay. Failure to do so will leave the council with the impression that villagers do not want the centre so they will, quite reasonably, refuse to give their support.

MIKE LATTER

Chairman, Middleton St George Community Association

Middleton St George.

What evidence?

Sir,- I was very concerned to read your story headlined: "Cancer link with pylons affirmed by US report" (D&S, Oct 18).

Below this inflammatory headline was a story about a report which has not been published yet, which neither you nor Revolt have seen and whose provenance among radiation biology experts is unknown.

Despite many years of argument, the fact remains that there is precious little evidence for any adverse health effects from living close to overhead power cables - I say this as someone who has no connection whatever with the electricity industry.

The fact is that anecdote and suspicion do not constitute evidence, however sincere people might be in believing that their particular illness was caused by this or that form of environmental exposure.

It is high time that you, sir, along with many other journalists, learned this lesson and took a more responsible approach to conveying information to the general public. Health scares can damage your health!

Dr ROGER A FISKEN

Church Wynd,

Burneston,

Bedale.

More for less

Sir, - I read with interest Malcolm Rainforth's letter (D&S, Oct 11), regarding council mismanagement. I support his views on the council's ability to waste our money. I agree that the safety of children in our roads is paramount, but I am sure that the are better ways of making our roads safe for them than turning the roads into obstacle courses for motor vehicles.

Outside of towns, our roads are in an appalling condition, and at the present rate of deterioration some roads could become impassable to smaller vehicles.

As a rate payer, I despair at paying more for less. Keep up the digging Malcolm and one day you may be heard by the bureaucrats who spend our money.

W A WISE

Fearby Road.

Masham.

Well said

Sir, - Congratulations to David Wright of Northallerton, (D&S letters, Oct 18). Yes, where do the town council and Hambleton District Council get their employees from? Untrained infants?

E HUMPHREY

East Harlsey,

Northallerton