THOSE who suspect the powers-that-be of introducing regionalism by the back door will not have had any of their fears allayed by this week's announcement of a replacement for Yorkshire Pantry with an as-yet-unveiled new name.

Pantry members banded together as a self-help organisation to present the best in Yorkshire fare and did so with flair. Many have signed up for the new organisation, which will cover the Humber and North Lincolnshire as well. Funny thing, but that's just the area covered by the Regional Development Agency.

On the change of name, Pantry founder-member Judy Bell, whose Shepherd's Purse cheeses epitomise what the organisation is about, believes that what ain't broke, shouldn't be fixed, adding that: "Yorkshire Pantry is a well-established and recognised name."

Mr Hague's luck

AS PART of the celebrations to mark the re-opening after restoration of Richmond's Georgian Theatre Royal, the great and good were invited to a special reception and performance last week.

Money is still needed to complete the fundraising for the £1.5m project and a raffle was duly held and drawn on stage by the mayor, Coun Stuart Parsons and Lady Sylvia Crathorne, chairman of the theatre's trustees.

Richmond MP William Hague was an early raffle prize winner but as the draw progressed one of his tickets was drawn no less than four more times, much to the amusement of the audience. As the fifth Hague ticket was drawn one wag shouted out it was a pity he'd not been able to win an election with the same ease.

Tempting fate

HAVING made the same journey only the other day, Spectator can concur with Ian Whittaker (D&S letters, Sept 5) that it is indeed a record to have travelled between Northallerton and Bedale without encountering a single temporary traffic light on the A684.

Cry freedom, Spectator shouts instinctively, although the well known film of that title was made in a completely different context. But how long can it last? Methinks there is such a thing as speaking, or even writing a letter to the D&S Times, too soon. Tempting fate is another thought that comes to mind.

Developments on the A684 are awaited with much interest at Spectator's desk.

Gobbledegook

PLAIN and simple English - that is the official language to be used by Darlington Primary Care Trust, it was announced last week. Spectator applauds such an ambition, and suggests the trust begins with the title of the officer promoting the idea. What, exactly, is a clinical governance manager?