I HAVE read with interest and amusement features on the Countryside March.

This group of people are far from being the saviours of the countryside. Instead, they have corrupted it systematically in the name of greed.

Farming is the only industry to be paid for being unproductive. Did the mining, shipbuilding or steel communities receive this sort of help when they were failing? - David Noble, Darlington.

COUNTRY sports are not carried out by "goofy Tory toffs with plummy accents".

Take the Countryside Alliance. The president is a Labour peer, the chairman is a Fabian and the chief executive is a Labour Party member.

Many see the proposed ban on fox hunting as the prelude to the demise of shooting, then fishing, both predominately working-class pursuits.

Half the lads I grew up with in Dean Bank, Ferryhill, and the Newton Cap area of Bishop Auckland, both colliery areas, owned ferrets, terriers and lurchers. Some would say it was almost our birthright.

We still fish at Witton-le-Wear. I'm the only Tory; the others either hate politics or prefer Labour.

Out of our own pockets, we've just installed tables and benches along a mile stretch of the river. We intend to assist the river habitat and not just for our own selfish gain.

It is right to say that democracy must take its course regarding the fox, but until a ban becomes law, the hunters are not criminals, nor should be tarnished as such.

However, far too many people have downright bigoted class-ridden views. Since when was it an offence to have a posh accent? - Jim Tague, Chairman, Conservative Party, Bishop Auckland Branch.

TV SOAPS

THE item on Emmerdale (Echo, Sept 25) was very revealing in its illustration of how things have changed in the world of TV soap operas. As the article says, Emmerdale Farm used to be a sleepy saga about a rural farming family. It contained enough drama and interest to keep viewers watching for many years. The early era is illustrated by Stan Richards (Seth Armstrong) in the photograph.

Then things change, as illustrated by Sheree Murphy in the photo. Her skirt is so short and tight that she all but reveals more than is quite decent.

Now viewers, it seems, have to be titilated by lesbian affairs and other sexy or violent storylines. This is surely a reflection of the low moral standards and unsavoury cravings of some viewers. It is very unlikely that many of the viewers of yesteryear still watch the series.

The question could be asked, should scriptwriters of any TV soap or drama pander to the leanings of the baser side of society or rather, should they endeavour to raise standards by giving us wholesome, decent family viewing, such as was the case in Emmerdale Farm 30 years ago? - EA Moralee, Billingham.

UNITED NATIONS

I SEE that Peter Mullen (Echo, Oct 1) sees no reason to discontinue his series of extremely offensive comments, and you continue to print them. So the Rev Mullen thinks the United Nations is just a waste of time, stopping George Bush killing more Iraqis? Such a wonderful example of Christian thought and principles!

He complains that Iraq has ignored UN sanctions for 20 years, but conveniently forgets that Israel has also ignored every UN resolution critical of it. - Tim Bounds, Stockton.

EUROPEAN UNION

AFTER witnessing an heroic and inspiring victory we became 'Europeans' while watching 'our boys' beat the US and win the Ryder Cup.

Perhaps the European Union should learn a lesson from this. Twelve golfers came together; individual players each with different talents, strengths and skills inspired by great leadership. They combined these talents for the greater good when it was needed, and will then go back to being individuals again.

Compare that with the pompous arrogance of the lethargic, self-important European Union. Its member countries always at odds, its politicians and officials remote and removed from the people and decisions made behind closed doors. Forced into a union neither asked for by the people, nor ever given the mandate. Fraud and corruption, endemic in the EU, means that the EU has no trust or respect from its 300-plus million citizens. Brussels wants to standardise, homogenise and regulate everything and oppress and remove individualism.

The Ryder Cup team made us proud to be European for a day. The European Union does not for a second. - Neil Herron, Sunderland.

IRAQ

SATURDAY'S demonstration, organised by the Stop the War coalition and The Muslim Association of Britain was a great success with between 250,000 and 450,000 attending the mass march and rally.

Its message was that ordinary people in Britain do not support Tony Blair in "standing shoulder to shoulder" with the US in its proposed escalation of military action against Iraq, whilst the US continues to arm and support Israel, which has contravened numerous UN resolutions, during its illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.

The so-called special relationship between the US and the UK only seems to run one way. We would urge Tony Blair not to risk British lives by fighting a war on behalf of US interests.

Do we really want to kill thousands more Iraqis in order that we can guarantee oil supplies if, and when, the Saudi regime is toppled?

George Bush may be launching a conflict which will undoubtedly destabilise the Middle East and could reach further afield.

Just because the US arrived late for the last two world wars doesn't mean that the UK should support Bush in creating the conditions for the next one. - Dave Atkinson, Darlington.