Sir, - We were very excited at the prospect of being able to go to a farmers' market. We, like many others, want to give our full support and backing to farming and local produce which provides quality and assurances we can trust. So with much enthusiasm we arrived at Pinchinthorpe Hall, near Guisborough.

There were only around nine to 10 stall holders which was our first surprise, I always thought these markets were well patronised and big events. But it was true to say there was certainly quality, if not quantity.

From the amazing farmer Langthorne's buffalo and wild boar burgers, sausages, steaks, buffalo milk cheeses to a Yorkshire honey stall, there was fresh trout, smoked duck, goats cheeses, mixed home-made cookies the size of small saucers, soaps, herbs, fresh and bottled, wines, fresh bread, etc.

The customers within the first hour had swamped these poor stallholders, leaving them urgently ringing round for reinforcements and more stock.

What happened? Was there a limit put on the number of stalls allowed? Was it poor communication to the farmers and local growers?

When we came away clutching buffalo steaks and wild boar sausages, etc. the place was awash with cars. The poor bloke on the car park looked stressed saying they thought there would only be around 50 cars to park.

They had opened the gate to the adjoining field, but the cars kept coming.

Now, doesn't this tell us a few things? People want these events. People, from country and town want to feed their families food and produce they can trust.

An awful lot of people, despite Tony Blair and his Government pointedly ignoring the Liberty and Livelihood March, want to support the farmers, local producers and the countryside and all it stands for, (foxhunting, being a minuscule part of the issues that threaten this green and pleasant land that surrounds us.)

So please let's work together on this, get the public relations right, give all local producers and farmers the chance to get their stock together and get at least another 20 stalls there next time, (are allotment associations allowed a stall? Are they not local producers?)

It was a real missed opportunity. Come on Pinchinthorpe Hall. If you are the promoters then promote. Farmers and local producers you must believe in yourselves.We want to buy your produce at a fair price, to support you all the way but if it's not there we can't buy it?!

Watch out because we'll all be there on November 3.

M & Mrs R SEDGWICK & Son

Holly Rise,

Addison Road,

Great Ayton.

Residents' views

Sir, - As someone who has kept a keen watch on the after use proposals for both former and current mineral extraction sites in the Nosterfield area, I wish to expand on certain aspects of Brian Redhead's article about the Swale and Ure Washland's Project (D&S, Oct 11).

The Swale and Ure Washland's Project is funded by quarry companies with local mineral extraction interests, provided with office facilities by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and employs one person, the project officer. The project is a subsidiary of the Lower Ure Conservation Trust Limited (LUCT), a charity, one of whose stated aims is the acquisition of land, particularly former mineral extraction sites. The project officer is employed by the LUCT, although she has a line manager within NYCC who also happens to be Trustee of the LUCT; NYCC has stated that there is no conflict of interest in this situation!

I was one of three local residents contacted by Mr Hastings during his recent visit. Mr Hastings was prepared to listen to the comments and concerns of local residents and made very careful notes of our conversations, which it is hoped he then communicated to the project officer/LUCT.

In particular his comment about needing to engage more thoroughly with local communities was most welcome. This was a breath of fresh air and so unlike the attitude shown by those connected with the LUCT and Swale and Ure Washland's Project, to whom local residents appear to be a minor inconvenience whose wishes and concerns are to be ignored in favour of the "Trustees" own goals.

They forget that it was local residents who won the day at the public inquiry when part of their precious nature reserve was due to become a landfill site. To my knowledge, not one of the Trustees spoke out then about a site which we are now told continually is so important for nature conservation that the field of birds come before the needs of people.

Whilst the above are personal comments, I believe they are a fair reflection of the feelings of many of the residents of Nosterfield.

P W YATES

Nosterfield,

Bedale