Sir, - How I wholeheartedly agree with Countryman's comments (D&S, Apr 19) re any proposed ban on foxhunting by the Government.

Being in my 20th year as a professional hunt servant, a position that is more than just a job, it is a way of life, I am angry that I have to spend yet another summer travelling the country to marchs and rallies, which is time-consuming and expensive, to defend a perfectly legal country pursuit.

But I am furious that the livelihood of my family and thousands like them is being offered up as a sacrifice to Labour backbenchers to keep them on side, many of whom have never witnessed a fox hunt, or made any attempt to come to a kennels to find out what it is really all about.

There is a lot more to running a hunt than simply controlling the fox population. We are a integral part of the countryside that has maintained a healthy fox population, in numbers acceptable to the farmers for hundreds of years, by using a method as close to the one nature itself would use as you can get.

A method found by the governments own inquiry into hunting, the Lord Burns inquiry, to be no more cruel than any other method used. Why mend that which is not broken.

JOE TOWNSEND

West Rounton,

Northallerton.

Strange motives

Sir, - According to Defra Minister Alun Michael "hunting is far from being the important issue for rural people."

If that is the case, and wouldn't we all be pleased if it were, then why has the Government just announced a further six-month consultation period to be followed by a Bill?

Not a single UK land use organisation supports yet another time-consuming battle on this issue. What we have consistently called for is help following foot-and-mouth and positive initiatives from Government on a range of problem areas. The motives behind this latest move seems to have nothing to do with improving life in the country, but a lot to do with appeasing restive back benchers.

The Government and Mr Michael cannot have it both ways.

LINDSAY HILL

PR officer, Union of Country Sports Workers

Bishop's Castle,

Shropshire.

What's important?

Sir, - Having lived in towns all my life I do not know much of country ways but, myself and many others agree with Mr Rhea's comments on fox hunting (D&S, Apr 19). There are far more important things to put right.

Maybe sometimes the fox is killed by the hounds, but that's what dogs do. It's nature, just like the cat and bird. If we kept foxes for cheap food in cramped, unnatural conditions, would the Government and people be so concerned? I think not!

M ROBSON

Glen Avenue,

York.

Memory respected

Sir, - Mr Rontree grumbles that "nobody has seen fit to replace" the plaque commemorating Northallerton Grammar School's war dead, from 1939-1945.

He was right to assume that it was stolen - several years ago, overnight, and presumably for its bronze.

However, he can be reassured that we didn't forget, as we would have told him, had he asked. We used a photograph from our archives to commission a fine wooden facsimile, which now is permanently displayed, safe inside, where many people see it, and where a poppy wreath is placed each Remembrance Day.

If Mr Rontree (or anyone else) would like to contact us, we shall be glad to arrange a viewing of that, and of the other War Memorials which have honoured places in college.

Our telephone number is 01609 773340.

JENNIFER SLATER

Principal, Northallerton College,

Grammar School Lane,

Northallerton