Letters: Let Mr Bird stay

Reading your report of that meeting, one can only conclude that the sole reason for the gates is to prevent Mr Bird ("Mel") from using the shelter. As he does not sit here at night, the only logical way to achieve this end would be for the council to lock the shelter during the day, which one can hardly suppose to be their intention.

It is very easy to complain about something: many people seem to enjoy doing so. One wonders exactly how many complaints have been made about Mr Bird. Many other people, far from objecting to his presence have found him helpful, polite and amusing. In fact, he and his dogs are very popular.

Not so long ago, the walls of the shelter were regularly defaced with graffiti, much of it obscene, and the floor was generally littered with discarded food containers, spilt food, greasy papers and empty cans. Nowadays, there is no writing on the walls and people put their rubbish in the bins outside, often when Mr Bird asks them to do so. After your article was published, a number of people came into the shelter to indicate that they were "on Mel's side". They were normal, respectable people who do their shopping in the town on market day and are open-minded enough not to be alarmed by his unconventional appearance. When Mr Bird was away in Scarborough last winter, many of these people commented on his absence and hoped that he would soon return.

To lock the shelter to drive him away seems unnecessarily heavy handed. One is reminded of the old saying about sledgehammers and nuts, and cannot help wondering who are the nuts?

BETTY GRASS

West Burton,

Leyburn.

Shallow comments

Sir, - I have followed the recent correspondence surrounding district Coun John Blackie with an element of dismay. Coun Blackie is one of our most capable and eloquent politicians, though I would be the first to admit that he does get carried away at times, and then takes exception when people reiterate. He is a man who has produced results. He has also been a member of this council for a number of years and those who are now attacking him have previously voted with him. What I, as a member of the electorate, am concerned about is not so much what Coun Blackie does or does not do, but the standards of the councillors around him who fail to challenge him when required. An opposition has to be inventive, clever and effective, and must use every opportunity to challenge, modify or co-operate. Shallow comments in the press only serve to highlight the opposition's incompetence.

BERNARD BORMAN

Greenways

Brentwood

Leyburn.

Patient's thanks

Sir, - I would like through your columns to sincerely thank the Lambert Memorial hospital at Thirsk for the expert treatment given to me during my stay there, due to two very sore heels. In particular I would like to thank sisters Sweeting, Pattison and Walton, all the staff nurses and health workers, kitchen staff, cleaners and voluntary tea ladies, not forgetting doctors Trezciak and Casey.

I am in my late 60s and it was the first time I have ever been admitted to hospital. We keep reading in the national press of scandal in the national health service; you get good and bad wherever you go, but the Lambert Memorial hospital at Thirsk will take some beating.

E W METCALFE

Ingramgate,

Thirsk.

Relatives quest

Sir, - My father was born in Leyburn in 1904, and I know that he had other siblings, but I do not know either their names or whereabouts.

Perhaps someone reading the D&S may be able to help. My grandparents were Harry Atkinson, who was a jockey, and Annie Atkinson (nee Ballan), daughter of George Ballan, and they were married in the parish church at West Witton in 1904.

My father was named William Harry Atkinson and I think that he had two sisters, Rita and Jessie, and at least one brother, possibly called George?.

Do I have any living relatives in the area? If so, please write. My address is 4\20 Blackwattle Parade, Padbury, Western Australia 6025, and my e-mail address is nosniktaember of the public spoke on behalf