IS this really recycling, or is it just dumping because there's no more room inside? Pulling into what's known as the auction mart car park in Bridge Street, Bedale, on Saturday afternoon, Spectator was greeted by a sight which has become depressingly familiar over the past six months or so.

A can bank stuffed to overflowing, so much so that its immediate surroundings were almost knee deep in abandoned carrier bags crammed with surplus aluminium, some of which had fallen to the ground as if in silent despair.

It's a regrettable but understandable reaction by people who find that this much publicised system isn't working properly when they try to do their bit for the environment.

Spectator can't work out whether the public is disposing of more cans than ever before, namely of the alcoholic variety judging from a brief inspection, or whether Hambleton District Council's collection arrangements have fallen hopelessly out of synch.

Either way, it's not the first time it has happened and it's a disgusting sight which, as someone remarked to Spectator in passing on Saturday, "needs sorting pretty sharpish" on a main gateway to Bedale as the town prepares for another summer season.

One rule for us

ONLOOKERS with experience of baking for charity events looked on with some puzzlement at the French market on High Row, Darlington last week.

As they, and anyone involved with WI markets, know, baked goods have to be carefully wrapped before being displayed for sale, even indoors. Yet here was bread being baked in situ and a tall rack of batons stood open to the breeze, as did other baked goods, spicy sausages and the like.

Were the rules waived, or was it feared their enforcement would dent the entente cordiale?

Parish pump puzzle

FOLLOWING a recent house purchase in Teesdale, a colleague has become the proud owner of a small but attractive well and hand-pump.

Anxious to make use of this equipment to water his new garden, he set about repairs to the pump which had not been used for years. Obtaining parts, in particular the flange or seal which creates the vacuum to draw up the water, is proving troublesome. Northumbrian Water and builders' merchants have been less than helpful. Deos anyone have the source of pump parts inspiration?

A source of pride

AS SUNSHINE and showers toss a mantle of multi-toned green over the countryside, it presents the kind of scene that ministers to the soul.

The patch around Ingleton and Staindrop forgoes subtlety in favour of oilseed rape in the kind of intense yellow beloved of advertising agencies. Some years ago, Spectator was puzzled by a pattern created in a Swedish field of yellow rape and blue flax; it was, of course, the Swedish flag.

The union flag will prove trickier, but perhaps there is scope here for diversification.