Sir, - Brian Redhead's report "Think again over pub closure" (D&S, Aug 10), regarding the Milbank Arms at Well, gives a very one-sided view of the problems encountered by all village pubs.

Yes, times are hard for all such rural businesses following the foot-and-mouth epidemic, but not all village pubs "give up and shut up"! Some try that little bit harder and do survive. Some even do better than before.

My local is the Crosby village inn at Thomton-le-Beans, three miles south of Northallerton. The licensee there, Carol Luck, bought that pub in a very run down state from a couple just like the ones at the Milbank Arms, she too had little or no value in the goodwill and was faced with an uphill fight to make it a worthwhile business.

Visit The Crosby Village Inn now and what you will see is the results of that hard work - a North Yorkshire pub and restaurant that is busy, not just with the local villagers but with people who come from miles around. The word has spread that the welcome and the food are the best around.

Carol's hard work has won her an award as best local hostelry in the greater Northallerton area. If Carol can do it, why not Mr Wilson from the Milbank Arms?

There must be many a licensee of a small pub or restaurant wondering if the hours and the effort are going to be worth it during these hard times. Licencees need to be aware of what is possible if they do not give up but just try that little bit harder. Unlike in Well, it is essential that the licensee does get the entire village behind them.

A P BROWN

Thirsk Road,

Northallerton.

Could do betterr

Sir, - Little towns must make shopping a pleasing and positive experience if they are to avoid "falling apart at the seams" (D&S Aug 3).

Bedale Beauty, Bridge House china shop and Bob Pocklington's sports shop have all done this for me recently but, though I try to support shops and businesses in Bedale, there are occasions when it demands great self-control and determination.

Here are three instances from the last fortnight.

In a supermarket around midday, with queues building up, one assistant looked at the customers, left her till and disappeared. Another sat at hers copying, slowly, a long list of figures. There was no queue at the cigarette kiosk, but the only other assistant on duty was firm: "You can't use that one, love." (I did, though.)

Another day, not long afterwards, I wanted to buy a sack of compost. There was a sack by the front door of the hardware shop. But it was not for sale: "That's our sample."

There were two or three piled up in the shop; could I have assistance lifting one? No, if I wanted assistance I had to go to the back door. I didn't bother, and I didn't buy the compost.

Last Friday, at a florist's, I placed a preliminary order for flowers and oasis, to be confirmed and collected the next day. Early on Saturday I confirmed it, explaining that I needed enough to do 15 centrepieces for an event later that day. I duly collected the order, but when I reached home found no oasis. Someone had to go back to Bedale and get it.

Falling apart at the seams, or Tubbs and Edward? I laughed at The League of Gentlemen, and I've laughed at these Royston Vaseyish events, but I can imagine passing trade deciding not to bother with Bedale with its complacent "local shops for local people" attitude.

SUSAN M REA

Newton le Willows,

Bedale.

It's early days

Sir, - I read with some interest the article "New bus service runs virtually empty" (D&S Aug 10). Contrary to the impression given in the article patronage on our weekdays hourly Sowerby - Thirsk - Northallerton service X85 is growing at an encouraging rate, and the same is true of our Saturday evening services between Thirsk and Northallerton which feature departures from Northallerton as late as 23:20 & 02:15. Also the article failed to mention that all departures from Thirsk provide a through service at Northallerton with our service 92 to Bedale, with through tickets available, and no need to change buses. In the opposite direction all service 92 departures at 20 past the hour from Bedale provide a similar service to Thirsk.

Very few new bus services like any new business start off by running to capacity, and I am surprised at the comments by the Mayor of Thirsk, Mrs Roberts, given they were made in the second week of the new service.

Unlike some public transport operators we make it quite clear who we are and all buses are equipped with destination blinds to tell passengers where the bus is going. This is distinct contrast with other operators in Thirsk, who seem to think a bit of card thrown in the windscreen with a hand written message is sufficient. The service will continue to run beyond September with a number of minor modifications. For further information ring 01677 425805.

DAVE WORACKER

Operations director,

The Wensleydale Railway