Letters

J DAVISON asks (HAS, 8 Jan) why his power supply fails at the first sign of inclement weather.

Supply failures arise in the lower voltage local distribution system. The ample high voltage grid is already very secure. National Grid's controversial (and unnecessary) proposed line from Teesside to York has no bearing on these local problems.

Overhead lines are more exposed to outage from bad weather than underground cables, but they may be easier to fix. Local undergrounding is feasible and would help. But it is likely that failures will continue for the foreseeable future.

Soon the best solution will be getting our own generators. Right now this is expensive, but we are about to experience yet another huge change in how we live.

The oil-based economy is drawing to an end over the next two decades; its economic turmoil is already starting. A new hydrogen-based (fuel-cell) economy is likely to replace it, with home micro-generators available off the shelf within five years. They will run off gas and be cheaper than power from the grid, according to expert reports in New Scientist in November. - M O'Carroll, Welbury, Northallerton.

HARE COURSING

ERIC Gendle questions the connection between coursing and conservation (HAS, Jan 11). Let me refer him to Dr Stephen Tapper, deputy director of the GameConservancy Trust and a leading authority on the brown hare, who reports that the effect of the coursing mortality on the hare population is negligible.

The recent Burns report into Hunting with Dogs states: "In the case of hare hunting and coursing, it seems clear that those interested in these activities have helped to maintain habitats which are favourable to the hare and to a number of other species."

There is a huge difference between those who just talk about conservation and those who actually put it into practice, as coursing supporters have done for years. - J Haigh, Countryside Alliance Area Public Relations Officer, Thirsk.

CARE HOMES

THERE has been a lot of worrying publicity recently about the cost of places in homes for older people. Local authorities are closing more of their own facilities and also appear to be cutting back on what they are prepared to pay towards the cost when older people can no longer care for themselves in their own homes and need residential and nursing home places.

In the face of this, if you are considering moving into a residential or nursing home, or if you have an older relative who is thinking of doing so, you may like to have help and information about funding the cost. Living in a care home can be very costly, and although some people may be able to pay their own fees, many will, at some stage, need help to meet the cost of their care. The rules can be complicated and you may wish to have help.

You may need such help if you, or a relative, is already in a home and is, for instance, running out of money which has been used to pay home fees.

To help with this, Counsel and Care, a national charity for older people, has a telephone line you can ring at the cost of a local call on which trained advice workers can help you. The number is 0845 300 7585

Alternatively, you can obtain a free factsheet by sending a stamped addressed envelope, 9x6, (33p) to me. - Alison Clarke, Counsel and Care, 16 Bonny St, London, NW1 9PG.

MAKE-A-WISH

AS regional co-ordinator for Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, I would like to advise your readers that Make-A-Wish is not connected or associated with The Dream Foundation in any way.

There have been several Press reports recently regarding the Dream Foundation and it is crucial for my work in this area that everyone is absolutely clear that we are a completely separate organisation.

Make-A-Wish Foundation UK celebrates its 15th birthday this year. It has a very simple objective - to turn the wishes of children aged between three and 18, suffering from life-threatening illnesses, into reality. Over 1,800 very special wishes have been granted.

A network of regional volunteers and a small team of professional staff at our head office work tirelessly to ensure wishes are fulfilled to the highest standards.

Make-A-Wish has no cures to offer and all too often some of our endings are sad, but during desperate times when there seems to be no hope, the charity steps in and provides positive, immediate and uplifting relief.

But most of all, a wish granted brings a time of magic and joy, for the children and the families we serve. - S Leister, NE Regional Co-Ordinator, Make-A-Wish Foundation.

CHURCH TIMES

IT comes as no surprise that twice as many people think their local pub rather than the church is the centre of community activity (Echo, Jan 5).

In the past, before TV and the proliferation of other entertainments, the majority of people attended church and enjoyed themselves socially throughout the week by holding clubs and activities of all kinds at their church. This was particularly true of the villages and small towns.

Pubs were not generally considered as suitable places for women and children and many were thought of as places for drunkards to spend their time.

Now times have changed. The pubs cater for families and go out of their way to provide entertainment for their clients. Churches still run activities for all ages, but it is not easy to encourage non-church goers to take part.

What it boils down to is this, there are just too many venues and kinds of community activity available today for people with more and more leisure time to fill. If church organised and hosted activities were once again the only ones on offer, then they would no doubt be as well attended as they were in days gone by. - EA Moralee, Billingham.