Sir, - I fear that Nicholas Rhea ("Is it fair?" D&S, Aug 11) has got it wrong yet again by accepting his Sinnington correspondent's statement at face value and without checking the facts with the county council.

The action described is limited to problems arising from ploughing and cropping of rights of way. Unfortunately, it does not apply to other obstructions to passage. The action is specified in the policy statement on ploughing and cropping, recently approved by North Yorkshire county councillors. The policy strengthens their officers' efforts to win back paths for the public.

The responsibility for dealing with natural vegetation (apart from branches growing out of adjacent hedges) and land slips affecting rights of way is that of the county council not the occupier. The position with regard to trees laid low by storms is less clear but in our experience most are removed by highway authorities.

His correspondent doesn't like "Gestapo ramblers" reporting path problems. The solution is simple. Follow the advice given by the NFU and CLA and keep his paths over his land fit for use as required by law.

We find that the county council is appreciative of problem reports from the public as they pinpoint where action is required and so save officers' time. We would urge all path-users to ignore Nicholas Rhea's correspondent's "Gestapo ramblers" smear and report problems to the county council.

DAVID LEYSHON

Ripley Road,

Stockton.

Encouraging

Sir, - On July 1 this year a sponsored walk to raise money for the I Can unit in Northallerton was undertaken. The unit provides support and tuition for children with severe language disorders. I would like to thank Nicola, Lesley, and Gemma the dog who walked the 15 miles with me.

We began at the Sutton Bank car park, dropped down into the valley followed a northerly direction to Kirby Knowle, climbed back up the escarpment, joined the Cleveland Way and I returned to finish back in the car park. The time was just under six hours. Also, many thanks to Keith and Richard for their support and to all who sponsored us, family, Sinclair/Wight, Gosforth Pine, and our many friends; £610 is the final total.

The tremendous encouragement I received for the venture deserves public recognition.

MRS CATHY MOUSETTE

Lynbrook Close,

Stockton Road,

Thirsk

A good trim

Sir, - Hedgerow lament (D&S, Aug 4). I refer to the above mentioned letter by Anne Brown. I am also concerned about the decline of small birds from our countryside, also the state of our hawthorn hedges.

For good maintenance the hedges should have the current year's growth removed each year. In years gone by this was done with slashers, and was called slashing hedge or switching.

Today this job is done by machine, but the end result is the same. If hedges are left untrimmed they will grow very tall with spreading branches, and the only birds to nest in them would be pigeons, magpies and carrion crows.

N WETHERILL

Abbey View,

Coxwold