Sir, - I would like to take this opportunity to alert shareholders of the National Grid Company (NGC) of a potential danger to their company.

Many shareholders may be aware that NGC is proposing to construct a high voltage power line from Lackenby in Cleveland to Shipton near York. There are two distinct sections of this proposed line, Lackenby-Picton and Picton-Shipton. It is the latter section that concerns this writer.

In order to construct a development over private land, the developer (in this case NGC) must seek permission from the landowner in the form of a wayleave agreement. The majority of landowners residing on the Picton-Shipton section refused to grant this permission.

When a landowner signs a wayleave agreement he is welcoming the development, and the associated risks attached to that development, the landowners who refused to grant their approval have reservations about these risks.

Eventually, NGC was granted compulsory powers by the government.

During these long running activities, Bristol university has been conducting experiments on the health effects of living and working near high voltage power lines. These experiments have taken a new approach to the possible health risks associated with high voltage transmission, and have produced some startling results which may have a bearing on the transmission of electricity by pylons.

Should these studies which indicate a possible health risk, be authenticated nationally, it will bring a new dimension to overhead high voltage transmission.

To construct the proposed power line, NGC will have to impose the development on the landowners against their will. Should the Bristol findings be confirmed. and the power line is constructed, then there is every possibility that a group of landowners will take action against NGC to protect the welfare of their families, employees, and fellow residents that would reside in close proximity to the proposed power line.

I would seriously ask shareholders in NGC to consider what damage this would do to their company, and to the value of their shares. As the proposed development has been ten years in the making, it would be prudent to delay construction until the Bristol findings have been investigated.

WILLIAM OSBORNE

Bank Top Farm,

Crosby,

Northallerton.

What pleasure?

Sir, - I wonder whether any of your readers can help me explain to my four-year-old son the gratification that people get from shooting pheasants and other wild animals. The reason I ask is that a visit with my family to Mount Grace Priory on a beautiful autumn day was ruined by the behaviour of "sportsmen" in adjacent woodland.

The peace of our visit, and that of other couples with young children and babies, was shattered by the sound of constant gunfire and the sight of dead and maimed pheasants all around us. This went on for at least 20 minutes from only a few yards away. Appeals to stop were met with derisive laughter. After the shooting had eventually stopped there were pheasant's carcasses littering the grounds and gardens.

My wife and I were at a loss as to how to justify the killing our son had witnessed. How do you explain to an enquiring four-year-old, brought up to believe that all living things should be treated with dignity and respect, that it is morally defensible to kill animals for fun. I would gladly welcome some advice on this matter because as a teacher of infants it is my job to explain things to four-year-olds every day and this one has defeated me!

M LAWN

Oaktree Drive,

Northallerton.

A good marriage

Sir, - It was heartening to read of the merger of the Fountains and Hawes dairies (D&S, Nov 3)which hopefully will lead to further expansion of cheese production in the dale, as farming is too vital an asset to lose.

Wensleydale is synonymous with the word cheese and Hawes is its spiritual home. In spite of Fountains being known for its quality produce, its base at Kirkby Malzeard was never part of Wensleydale.

The Jervaulx monks have always been credited with starting the process in the 12th century using ewes' milk, but later versions favour the Hawes area.

Sixty years ago, listening to a few elders discussing farming at its lowest in the thirties, when a gallon of milk was worth five old pence if collected, a local provision merchant told how milk would always be collected from a farm in Countersett, whose hillside pastures overlooking Semerwater contained all the necessary herbage for producing the finest cheese. It is that area which has always been considered the origin of Wensleydale cheese as we know it.

DOUGLAS PUNCHARD

Keldholme,

Kirkbymoorside