AS a former head of Durham’s Countryside Service, and now Chairman of the Friends, I find it necessary to respond to Tony Kelly’s observations on Hardwick Park’s ecological credentials.

In 1997 I inherited the task of returning the rapidly-decaying Park to its 18C state. In 1972 the Council had purchased its first 50 acres there to create the Country Park which Mr Kelly clearly loved.

This however gave scant recognition of the historic park which lay hidden beneath. Only along the popular boardwalk was mention made of the main lake, drained around 1860 to result in conditions which eventually allowed fen carr to develop there.

Elsewhere the extensive and less ecologically rich post-war commercial planting of conifers created rather gloomy backdrops to the Park and ruins of its once grand buildings.

Far from destroying the ecological value of Hardwick, a much greater diversity of flora and fauna has developed over the Park’s now 210 acres as a result of the restoration scheme. Annual visitor numbers have doubled to almost half a million, suggesting also the site is rather popular with the public.

Instead of criticising Mr Kelly, why not join the Friends and help make Hardwick even better?

Tony Smith, Spennymoor