Sir, - I am not intimated by Mr Naylor's personal attacks. Blinded by his own rhetoric, he has failed to grasp the fundamental issues.

It was Hambleton District Council's democratically elected representatives that allowed the Cledale farmers' market to go ahead.

This was an informed decision based on the desire to rejuvenate market towns. See the Market Town revival campaign (D&S Action for Market Towns September 29).

Mr Naylor has kindly invited us to join the high street market but he well knows only four stall holders and no fresh meat would be permitted under current trading rules.

We at the Cledale farmers' market feel no need to rubbish the produce sold on the high street market or make personal remarks about an individual's liberty to purchase when and where they choose, for without such freedoms the market traders would soon find their customer base badly eroded.

Why do the high street traders really feel so threatened by a handful of farmers and growers holding only 14 markets a year?

The increase in extra business which a successful farmers' market would bring to the centre of Northallerton would be immense, the shops, market traders and rural economy would all benefit, look to Barnard Castle, Ripon and York, all of which have very successful events. So come on Mr Naylor, let's be constructive and work together!

STEPHEN KNOX

Chairman, Cledale farmers market.

Theatre points

Sir, - Having read the recent report of the Richmond Town Council meeting with the committee of Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society (RADS), I would like to make it clear that we have no objection whatsoever to weddings taking place in the Georgian theatre - indeed members of our society have been married there!

We always try to support the Georgian in whatever way we can and this has sometimes taken the form of a donation from our charity fund which is agreed annually at our agm.

Coun Parsons (who is not a member of RADS) has been reported as stating that "RADS has withdrawn donations to the theatre" because a wedding booking affected the proceeds from our summer production.

Whilst we agree that a clash of dates of this type is best avoided, it is quite wrong of Stuart Parsons to assume that there is a connection between the two issues,

It was agreed at our agm this year that we would reduce all our charitable donations, because we need to spend a substantial amount of money on repairs to our own clubroom premises, and it is for that reason and that reason alone that the only beneficiary of our efforts this year was St Teresa's hospice.

The Georgian Theatre Royal will continue to get full support from Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society whose members are committed to keeping live theatre in Richmond.

WARNOCK KERR

RADS

Castle Hill,

Richmond.

More Letters to the Editor on page 2