A ROSE by any other name would smell as sweet but would the Young Farmers' Clubs by any other name help the "recruit and retain" campaign, the national federation's chief executive, Ms Janet Gee, was asked at Durham County federation's agm last Friday. One alternative, Youth for the Countryside, didn't find much favour with members Spectator's colleague chatted to afterwards.

It's nigh on impossible to find an accurate, all-embracing, snappy title for clubs whose activities range from discos to driving and from barbecues to beef judging via fashion design, fence erecting, showbiz star impressions, a live slug show and much more.

Perhaps a few high profile recruits might help instead. Pop stars who buy country estates could encourage their children to join, or (dare we suggest) the Blair children could join the very lively Sedgefield branch. At least it would give them a circle of friends when Dad's time in his constituency takes them away from their London schoolmates.

In the shadows

THE appalling toll on North Yorkshire roads a fortnight ago may yet be attributed to poor weather, in part if not wholly, but the miracle remains that it was not far higher and did not affect all part of the D&S Times area.

On a dark, wet night, pedestrians clad head to toe in dark colours or cyclists similarly clothed and without even a rear reflector are the motorists' nightmare. Anyone who drives has had heart-stopping (and emergency stopping) moments when only their guardian angel has shown them that a shadow is actually substance.

The police stress, year after year, that even a white plastic bag or carried newspaper can help make pedestrians visible; better still "wear something white at night". Spectator's colleague is still shaky at what might have been a man in a dark jumper and trousers dashed between rush-hour traffic in Darlington on a wet evening last week. Luckily, the bus driver saw him just in time.

Plodding on

THE recent monsoon-style downpours have had their lighter-hearted moments, too. A visitor to the dales was viewing the sodden landscape, and the downpour, from his weekend cottage window and saw an oddly unfamiliar shape making its slow way up the fellside.

Binoculars revealed a large crow plodding steadily and determinedly upwards, head down against the weather. He was going to get there, even if all flights were grounded