Sir, - I welcome the decision that the plans for a children's playground are to be considered afresh before a decision is made by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (report, D&S July 14).

It would have been wonderful to have a site that all villagers were happy with, but I accept it is difficult to find a suitable pitch. This is the only part of the green it could be placed.

From the 1930s here we had a see saw and ropes from the tree to swing on. Not very tidy I'm afraid.

I feel children are safer playing in full view, where they can be observed by parents, grandparents and villagers and hopefully we should see that the playground is kept tidy and in working order.

The stretch of road from the Rose and Crown to the crossroads will have dotted halt lines at both ends, so traffic should not speed past. There should be a road sign stating, "Slow - children's playground" as we have "elderly people" warning sign on the road going down to High Hall.

No one wants our lively village green spoilt, but it should be used and changes do come. When I was a child at the old Bainbridge school, the green was our playground. We had lessons and PE outdoors. There were no curb stones round the edges and the grass was grazed with farm animals not lawnmowers.

Bainbridge needs, most of all, young parents who can manage to earn a living here, small businesses to flourish, keeping the village alive and children to keep our school open.

JEAN LAMBERT

Howda,

Bainbridge.

Canal plans

Sir, - On a recent visit to Richmond I saw the letter from B Langford about the Lancaster Canal (D&S letters, July 7).

The canal is navigable from Preston to Tewitfield and is in regular use by pleasure craft. There is a side connection to Glasson dock. At Tewitfield it is cut by the M6 and there are further sections to the north.

A plan is being formulated to re-open the canal, possibly as far as the original terminal at Kendal. It is also proposed to try to join the canal and its southern end to the Leeds/Liverpool canal.

R SPENCER

Bowes Lyon Place,

Lytham St Annes.

Second opinion

Sir, - In view of the fact that the owners of Croft Circuit have won all their appeals against Richmondshire's planning decisions, might I suggest that taking a second opinion (report, D&S July 14) is long overdue.

The previous history of tilting at windmills has cost council tax payers tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds and gained precious little.

ANTHONY TODD

West Lane,

Dalton on Tees.

Plant theft

Sir, - About two weeks ago some of the rose beds in the Applegarth were planted with lavender and other plants. While in the park on Wednesday, I saw most of them had been dug up and taken away.

How can anyone stoop so low as to steal plants?

Mrs TODD

Romanby Road

Northallerton

Appalled

Sir, - I find it appalling and disgusting that when pay and display signs are clearly marked in the Friarage hospital car parks, honest people pay and dishonest people do not.

JULIET RIORDAN

High Street,

Northallerton.

Artist hunt

Sir, - I would like to ask for information. I am researching the life of the artist, Featherstone Robson (1880- 1936) who usually signed his work F. Robson. Prints of his work were sold by most of the main stores in Great Britain during the 1920s.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who may have prints or original paintings by this artist, especially the titles of any works as I am trying to collate a record of all his known work.

I can be contacted by letter or telephone 01661 832784.

LEONARD FRANCHETTI

Park Lane,

Prudhoe,

Northumberland.

Thank-you

Sir, - This week has been WRVS National Thank You Week and I would like to take he opportunity to say 'Thank You' to all WRVS volunteers.

There are over 2,000 working in local projects across Durham and Cleveland throughout the year. All of these help the more vulnerable members of our communities.and they do deserve a very big 'thank you'

HELEN MELLOR

Valley Street,

Darlington.