Sir, - I am researching the history of the Bedale and Thirsk navigation schemes of 1767. The intention was to make Bedale beck navigable to the Swale at Morton-on-Swale and Cod Back navigable to the Swale at Topcliffe.

A certain amount of work was carried out, but both schemes foundered through lack of money in 1768. As with any research project, local knowledge can be invaluable, and help from readers on the following points would be appreciated.

1, In Hird's Annals of Bedale, it becomes evident that the old mill leat that once conveyed water to the mill adjacent to the present Big Sheep and Little Cow farm is actually the original course of Bedale beck. The present line of the beck for some distance above and below Bedale harbour originated as an artificial cut made for the navigation. The question arises as to what was the route of the earlier mill leat, ie the one that carried water to the mill before the navigation.

2, Today there are remains of a sluice gate built into the harbour weir. The purpose of the sluice would have been to control the level of water to the mill, with the stretch of beck above the weir serving as the millpond. However in an old photograph reproduced in the 1988 Bedale guide there is no such structure, showing the sluice to have been relatively modern. It would be interesting to know how the level of the beck/mill pond was controlled before this sluice was built.

3, The same photograph shows the beck below the weir to have been rather wider than today with the water extending some eight feet or more over what is now level ground. At some date the bank of the beck has been revetted with wooden piles, the ground behind levelled with boulders and the whole grassed over. Does anyone know when and why this was done?

4, Hird, speaking of the harbour following its abandonment, says: "it did not stand long in its entire state. A certain family, at the low end of the town, found means to break up the stone, and sell it in the town for housewifery business." Does anyone know what parts of the harbour were then lost, and indeed what Hird meant by "housewifery business"?

Any information on these and other aspects of the schemes would be much appreciated.

GRAHAM HUDSON

3 Berkeley Close,

Faversham,

Kent ME13 9TR.

Still no action

Sir, - Twelve months ago you published an article and photograph relating to problems some people encountered when attempting to get around the market place. Prompt action was promised.

I was personally assured that a scheme was being put into place which would alleviate such difficulties. I expressed some doubts as to whether action would be taken. Previous experience had taught me that on a number of occasions promises made were not fulfilled.

Twelve months have now elapsed and nothing has happened. The people of Brompton who are waiting for a flood protection scheme (D&S, Sept 28) will understand the frustration, as no doubt will many others.

Meanwhile your paper reports a plan for cycleways in Thirsk costing up to half a million pounds. Wouldn't it be a good idea to serve the needs of the vast majority of the community by ensuring that all Thirsk footpaths are safe and in good repair before embarking on the provision of cycleways, laudable though that might be.

L G TWISS

York Road,

Thirsk.

Not a rabble

Sir, - Mr William Mayne seems unable to differentiate between what is undemocratic and what is unlawful.

Objections to Saltburn Improvement Company's "status" include the undemocratic procedures employed by Saltburn Improvement Company. If Mr Mayne, on the other hand, is aware of any unlawful actions, he should notify the proper authorities.

He clearly classes any objectors to Saltburn Improvement Company's proposals and anyone who does not share his views as a "rabble". That must include the borough councillors who declined to give planning permission to erect the statues after having seen the photographs displayed in Saltburn library, which attracted many adverse criticisms from residents.

Mr Mayne seizes the opportunity to use the letters page to puff and promote some future construct of his own even though it is of complete irrelevance to the issue at hand.

The statue-makers and Saltburn Improvement Company have that much in common in that they are all self-reverential, worshipping at the altar of their own self-importance. On a point of information for Mr Mayne, the "common rabble" no longer pay rates; they pay council tax instead.

BRIAN KENNEDY

Gill Street,

Saltburn.