Sir, - With regard to the letter from Mr T Barker (D&S, Aug 1), about rats, I have had virtually the same experience myself recently.

It seems to be common knowledge that the rat population is growing, the reasons being several, among them the change in our climate with much milder winters, which makes Mr Barker's comments very relevant.

The letter dealt with a new charge introduced by Hambleton council a few weeks ago, relating to pest control which of course includes rats. I would like to remind those people responsible for this new charge of the following facts.

Rats are filthy, they spread disease and they increase at an incredible rate if not controlled. Bearing these elementary facts in mind, can someone tell me how anyone with even a modicum of intelligence can justify this latest charge for pest control?

The arrogant presumption that every household has the finance to afford £30-odd pounds is equally stupid. On reflection "nave" is perhaps a more suitable word! Some people will resist this latest monetary imposition, whilst others will be unable to afford it. Either way the responsibility for the obvious predictable consequences will rest where it should, with the council.

I also agree with Mr Barker regarding the observation that this new charge will bring Hambleton in line with other councils. I presume the reverse will also apply, so that if other councils drop this charge our council will do likewise! To bring them in line with other councils!

What worries me is the constant erosion of our services, together with the ever increasing council tax. It would seem we can do nothing about it - but we can. We have one huge weapon - our vote.

It would be interesting to see a list published naming the councillors who voted for this nonsense, and another naming those who chose to oppose it. I have a feeling retribution would be forthcoming at the next elections but we won't hold our breath.

BILL WESTON

Upsall,

Thirsk.

Sir, - I refer to your article by Brian Redhead and the letter from T Barker on the subject of rats (D&S, Aug 1).

I too contacted Hambleton District Council after spotting a rat using our garden as a thoroughfare. I was informed that a charge would be levied and this was the policy introduced on April 1, 2003.

Should I agree to pay the charge there would be no guarantee that the problem would be solved for the infestation appears to originate from a nearby garden.

Should I therefore, after treatment by myself, put up a notice stating that the property is a rat-free zone?

I understand that the council has a statutory duty to control the rat population and after imposing a rate rise way above inflation appears yet again to have its priorities wrong.

G R MOORE

St Giles Close,

Thirsk.

Hunting

Sir, - I would like to thank Trevor Nicholson for his letter(D&S Aug 1) proving my point so admirably. He, like so many Parliamentary backbenchers, is totally blinded by prejudice to the facts re. hunting with dogs, and I make no apology for repeating them once again.

Fact. - the Scott Henderson inquiry into hunting, back in the 1950s , found no evidence for a ban on hunting.

Fact. - more recently the Burns inquiry, found no evidence for a ban on hunting.

Fact. - the six-month consultation period, with all sides giving evidence, concluded that hunting should be allowed to continue.

Fact. - following this the government produced a Bill to allow hunting to continue under licence.

Fact. - polls are now constantly showing a majority think hunting should be allowed to continue, ( at least 59% ).

Then the saddest fact of all, that despite all the evidence from the above and the considerable cost to the taxpayer, backbenchers hijacked the Bill and turned it into a complete ban.

But this is not a ban on fox hunting, this is a ban on all hunting with dogs and will effect every dog owner in the country. If you allow your dog, albeit perhaps by accident, to chase a hare, fox , deer, or any one of a number of other mammals, you will be breaking the law, and people like Trevor Nicholson will be only too happy to report you to the police.

This Bill must not be allowed to reach the Statute book

JOE TOWNSEND

West Rounton,

Northallerton.

Sir, - Trevor Nicholson overstates the case when he says that democracy is under threat (D&S letters, July 1). Democracy is not.

His remarks about the vast majority being against fox hunting are interesting. By the same token the vast majority (myself not included) are apparently for the death penalty, but MPs are strangely silent about the subject.

One wonders that if the fox were not so photogenic and for instance, looked like a rat, there might not be such a hullabaloo.

Mr Nicholson says that the pro-hunting lobby is encouraging the hunters to break the law. He seems to forget that the anti lobby have in the past, broken the law by the use of brutal attacks on law-abiding hunters.

He also asks "Who will be the next minority group to threaten the government?". There have been many striking unions that have threatened governments and other institutions in recent years and have all failed.

Let us keep our sense of proportion. Democracy was truly threatened in the years between 1939 to 1945, so is hardly under threat from a mob of "the self-righteous in pursuit of a mob of the sanctimonious".

A E EATON

Turker Lane,

Northallerton.

Richmond YMCA

Sir, - In response to the report last week(D&S, Aug 1) I wish, on behalf of all at Richmond YMCA, to say how pleased we are that we can now go ahead with our plans to redevelop the YMCA building in Richmond market place.

The current YMCA is a Grade 2 listed building, but this states that, "this building is included solely as part of a group, in scale and materials with other properties in the market place". Thus it has little architectural merit in itself. However, we are very proud of the history of the building, that Richmond Meet donated 50pc of the cost of the building following World War 1, and we always intended to incorporate the commemorative stone into a prominent position in the faade of the new building.

The YMCA is working towards developing a purpose-built centre to serve young people and the community. Facilities will include a youth caf; fitness suite; IT training suite; nursery; laundry; accommodation for young single people; and offices.

The YMCA remains the only provider of supported accommodation for young single people throughout Richmondshire. The project is part of the Swale Valley Initiative and is seeking to offer a range of services fit for the twenty-first century.

CHRISTOPHER WHITE

Chairman,

Richmond YMCA.

Hambleton's waste

Sir, - The new scheme for collection of refuse in Hambleton provides that household waste is now to be collected fortnightly rather than weekly.

The smell of stored rotting vegetable waste and decaying fish skins in summer is going to be very unpleasant. This change seems to be a retrograde step.

Surely household waste should be collected more often to stop what is going to be a health hazard?

GERALD BUNTING

Hall Farm,

Crakehall,

Bedale.

Sport dilemma

Sir, - I am sure the water skiers and speed boat enthusiasts who sped up and down Semerwater on Sunday, August 3, had a wonderful time.

The problem is that the families who drove out there to enjoy the tranquillity of the lake, and the ramblers on the surrounding hills seeking the quiet pleasures of the dales, were obliged to endure the roar of speed boat engines all afternoon.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has a stark choice - either to keep the dales as a place where visitors may enjoy the quiet pleasures of the countryside, or let it become a venue for noisy motorsports. The two concepts are incompatible, a decision to allow speed boats on Semerwater is a decision to abandon the lake as a place of serene beauty.

D SHARPE

Estoril Road,

Darlington.